Canon

In the context of the Harry Potter universe, canon refers to the body of work considered to be official and authoritative, forming the established lore and timeline of the story. For PotterLex and a significant portion of the fandom, canon is a hierarchical concept with the original seven novels by J.K. Rowling at its apex. This entry outlines the different tiers of material and their accepted status within the broader lore.

The materials that constitute the Harry Potter universe are generally organized by the fandom into a hierarchy of canonicity.

The highest and most authoritative level of canon consists of the seven original Harry Potter novels written by J.K. Rowling. This material is considered the definitive source of truth for the universe. In cases of contradiction, the information presented in these books supersedes all other sources.

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

This tier includes official supplementary books and other materials written by J.K. Rowling to expand upon the wizarding world. This information is widely accepted as canonical, provided it does not contradict the primary novels.

• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (the 2001 textbook)
• Quidditch Through the Ages
• The Tales of Beedle the Bard
• Original informational content and backstories written by J.K. Rowling for the Pottermore website (now Wizarding World). (Pottermore)

This category includes materials that are officially licensed or created with J.K. Rowling's involvement but whose canonical status is often debated among fans due to adaptations, retcons, or contradictions with the primary novels.

• The Harry Potter Film Series: The eight Warner Bros. films are adaptations of the novels. They often contain changes—such as the burning of The Burrow in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) or Harry Potter snapping the Elder Wand (film)—that are not part of the book canon.
• The Fantastic Beasts Film Series: While the screenplays were written by J.K. Rowling, these films have introduced elements that some fans find contradictory to established lore, such as the apparent age and timeline of characters like Minerva McGonagall. (Fantastic Beasts film series)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Marketed as the “eighth Harry Potter story,” this is a play based on a story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne. Its canonical status is a subject of intense debate within the fandom, with many questioning its characterizations and plot developments in relation to the original seven books.
• Authorial Statements: Information provided by J.K. Rowling outside of published works, such as in interviews or on social media, is often seen as authorial intent. While it can provide valuable insight (e.g., Albus Dumbledore's sexuality), its place in the canon is fluid and sometimes controversial. (J.K. Rowling interview)
• Video Games and Merchandise: Licensed video games, theme park attractions, and other merchandise are generally not considered canonical sources of information. (video game)

As a DokuWiki-based encyclopedia, PotterLex adheres to a strict “Canon First” principle as defined by the original seven novels.

• Primary Source: All entries are based first and foremost on the information presented in the seven-book series.
• Sourced Information: Content derived from films, supplementary books, Pottermore, or author interviews is included for comprehensiveness but is always clearly cited in parentheses to distinguish it from the primary book canon.
• Contradictions: In any instance where a secondary or tertiary source contradicts the novels, the novels are considered the final authority.