sauron

Sauron

Sauron is not a character, spell, object, or location within the canonical Harry Potter universe. He is the primary antagonist from J.R.R. Tolkien's high-fantasy novel series, The Lord of the Rings. The character is sometimes mentioned in fan discussions and literary analysis as a point of comparison to Lord Voldemort, the main antagonist of the Harry Potter series, due to their shared archetypal role as a 'Dark Lord'. This entry serves to clarify the character's absence from the Harry Potter canon and to note the thematic similarities that often cause confusion among readers.

The name 'Sauron' does not appear in any of the seven original Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. Furthermore, there is no mention of the character in supplementary canonical materials such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, or on the Wizarding World website (formerly Pottermore). Any appearance of the name in relation to the Harry Potter franchise is limited to non-canonical works, such as fan fiction or comparative literary essays.

The confusion between Sauron and the Harry Potter universe often stems from thematic and narrative parallels between him and Lord Voldemort. Both characters fulfill the role of a powerful, feared Dark Lord who seeks to dominate the world. Key similarities include:

  • The Dark Lord Archetype: Both are the central, overwhelmingly powerful antagonists in their respective series. They command vast armies of dark creatures (Death Eaters, Orcs) and seek total dominion over their worlds through fear and conquest.
  • Disembodied Form: Both antagonists spend a significant period of time as a disembodied, spirit-like entity, working to regain physical form and power. Lord Voldemort exists as a wraith after his killing curse rebounds from Harry Potter, while Sauron is primarily perceived as a great, fiery Eye after losing his magical ring in a prior age.
  • Soul Fragmentation for Immortality: Both characters split their souls and anchor them to external objects to achieve immortality. Lord Voldemort created seven Horcruxes, while Sauron poured a significant portion of his power and essence into the One Ring. The destruction of these items is the only way to ensure their ultimate defeat.
  • Fear of the Name: In both universes, the primary antagonist is so feared that most characters refuse to speak his name. Witches and wizards refer to Lord Voldemort as “You-Know-Who” or “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,” a practice mirrored in Middle-earth where characters avoid naming Sauron directly.