Gryffindors are the students sorted into Gryffindor House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The house was founded by Godric Gryffindor, a celebrated wizard of his time who valued courage and heroism above all else. Students are selected for this house by the Sorting Hat if they possess or value the core traits of bravery, daring, nerve, and chivalry. A notable instance of choice playing a role was when Harry Potter, who possessed qualities that would have suited him to Slytherin, chose to be in Gryffindor instead. The house has a long and storied history, often defined by its centuries-old rivalry with Slytherin House. This animosity dates back to a fundamental disagreement between Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin over whether Muggle-born students should be admitted to Hogwarts. Gryffindor's belief in accepting all magical students, regardless of blood status, established the house's reputation for tolerance and fairness. Gryffindors are known for their strong moral compass and tendency to act, sometimes recklessly, in the face of injustice. While their courage is their defining virtue, it can sometimes manifest as hot-headedness or a disregard for rules, as seen in the exploits of students like James Potter, Sirius Black, and Harry Potter. The house has produced numerous famous witches and wizards, including Albus Dumbledore, who was himself a Gryffindor student before becoming Head of House and later Headmaster.
Gryffindors are central to the narrative of the *Harry Potter* series, as the main protagonists—Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger—are all members. The story is largely told from a Gryffindor perspective, highlighting their values and their ongoing conflict with the Slytherins. The competition for the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup between these two houses often serves as a microcosm of the larger battle between good and evil in the wizarding world. Throughout the Second Wizarding War, Gryffindors were at the forefront of the resistance against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The house supplied a significant number of members to both the original and reconstituted Order of the Phoenix. Furthermore, the student-led resistance group, Dumbledore's Army, was founded and predominantly led by Gryffindors. During the Battle of Hogwarts, the students of Gryffindor stood united and were the first to pledge their support to Harry Potter. They remained to fight Voldemort's army, demonstrating the quintessential bravery of their house when it mattered most.
As a collective of individuals, “Gryffindors” are best understood through their most notable members throughout history.