Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======The Deathly Hallows====== =====Object Information===== * **Type:** [[Legendary Magical Object]], [[Deathly Hallow]] * **Owners:** [[Antioch Peverell]], [[Cadmus Peverell]], and [[Ignotus Peverell]] (Originals); [[Albus Dumbledore]] (Possessed all three over the course of his life, but never all at once); [[Harry Potter]] (The only known wizard to possess all three simultaneously and become the true "Master of Death"). * **Maker:** Believed by most wizards to have been created by [[Death]] himself, as recounted in //The Tale of the Three Brothers//. [[Albus Dumbledore]] theorized they were actually created by the three highly powerful and ingenious [[Peverell brothers]]. =====Description and Appearance===== The Deathly Hallows are three distinct and immensely powerful magical objects. When depicted together, their existence is represented by a triangular symbol, with the vertical line representing the [[Elder Wand]], the circle representing the [[Resurrection Stone]], and the enclosing triangle representing the [[Cloak of Invisibility]]. * **The Elder Wand:** An elegant, fifteen-inch wand made of [[elder wood]] with a [[Thestral]] tail-hair core. It is visually distinctive, featuring carved clusters resembling elderberries running along its length. [[Garrick Ollivander]] identified it as being older than any wand he had ever encountered. * **The Resurrection Stone:** A black stone, which was once set into a gold ring bearing the [[Peverell]] coat of arms. By the time it came into [[Harry Potter]]'s possession, the stone had a visible crack down the middle, a result of [[Albus Dumbledore]] using the [[Sword of Gryffindor]] to destroy the [[Horcrux]] enchantment upon the ring. The symbol of the [[Deathly Hallows]] is inscribed on its surface. * **The Cloak of Invisibility:** A shimmering, fluid-like garment that feels as though it is made of "water woven into fabric." It is silvery-grey and completely opaque, rendering anyone or anything beneath it perfectly invisible. Unlike other [[Invisibility Cloak]]s, its power has never faded over centuries of use. =====Magical Properties and Usage===== Each Hallow possesses unique and unparalleled magical abilities. According to legend, possessing all three makes one the "Master of Death." * **The Elder Wand:** Widely known as the most powerful [[wand]] in existence, it is capable of performing feats of [[magic]] far beyond the scope of a normal wand. Its allegiance is uniquely transferred; it is not won simply by inheritance or a gift, but by defeating its previous master. This defeat does not necessarily require killing the owner; disarming or otherwise overpowering them is sufficient, a fact [[Lord Voldemort]] failed to understand. * **The Resurrection Stone:** When turned three times in the user's hand, the stone has the power to bring back echoes or "shadows" of deceased individuals from the afterlife. These are not living, corporeal beings or [[ghosts]], but rather semi-tangible memories. They are visible only to the user and their presence is often a source of sorrow, as they are pained to be separated from the world of the dead. * **The Cloak of Invisibility:** A true [[Invisibility Cloak]], it provides perfect and perpetual concealment. It cannot be damaged by conventional means and is resistant to most revealing spells and charms, such as the Summoning Charm. However, its protection is not absolute; powerful magical detectors like [[Alastor Moody]]'s magical eye could see through it, and creatures like [[Dementors]], who sense emotion rather than sight, could still detect those hidden beneath it. * **Master of Death:** The "Master of Death" is not one who seeks immortality or to conquer [[Death]]. As [[Albus Dumbledore]] explained to Harry, a true master is one who accepts that mortality is inevitable. [[Harry Potter]] became the true Master of Death not by seeking power, but by possessing all three Hallows and choosing to face death willingly, thus demonstrating his understanding of this principle. =====History===== The origin of the [[Deathly Hallows]] is detailed in //The Tale of the Three Brothers//, a story from the wizarding children's book //The Tales of Beedle the Bard//. * **The Legend:** The story tells of the three [[Peverell brothers]] who, while traveling, used magic to create a bridge over a dangerous river. An angered [[Death]] appeared, feigning congratulations. He offered each brother a prize for outwitting him. - **Antioch Peverell**, the eldest, asked for an unbeatable wand and received the [[Elder Wand]]. He was murdered in his sleep by a rival who stole the wand. - **Cadmus Peverell**, the middle brother, asked for the power to recall others from Death and received the [[Resurrection Stone]]. He brought back his deceased fiancée, but she was a sad shadow of her former self. In despair, he took his own life. - **Ignotus Peverell**, the youngest and humblest, asked for something to enable him to go forth without being followed by Death. He received [[Death]]'s own [[Cloak of Invisibility]]. He lived a long life, and only when he was ready did he pass the Cloak to his son and greet Death as an old friend. * **Historical Lineage:** [[Albus Dumbledore]] believed the [[Peverell brothers]] were the historical figures who created the Hallows. - **The Elder Wand** passed through a long and bloody history of powerful [[wizards]], including [[Gellert Grindelwald]] and [[Albus Dumbledore]], before falling into the hands of [[Lord Voldemort]]. Its true allegiance, however, belonged to [[Draco Malfoy]] and then [[Harry Potter]]. - **The Resurrection Stone** was passed down through the descendants of Cadmus, eventually becoming a family heirloom of the [[House of Gaunt]]. [[Marvolo Gaunt]] prized the ring it was set in, unaware of its true nature. [[Tom Riddle]] later turned the ring into a [[Horcrux]]. - **The Cloak of Invisibility** was passed down directly through the family of Ignotus Peverell, eventually reaching [[James Potter]], and then his son, [[Harry Potter]]. =====Role in the Story===== The [[Deathly Hallows]] are the central MacGuffin and thematic core of the final book, //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows//. * Initially, Harry, [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] learn of the Hallows' symbol from [[Xenophilius Lovegood]]. This discovery creates a major conflict in their quest, forcing them to choose between hunting [[Horcrux]]es, the mission given to them by [[Dumbledore]], and pursuing the Hallows, which seem to promise a way to defeat [[Voldemort]]. * The Hallows represent an alternative path to power that contrasts sharply with Voldemort's pursuit of immortality through [[Horcrux]]es. While Voldemort seeks the [[Elder Wand]] to become invincible, Harry slowly pieces together the truth of all three objects. * Harry's journey culminates in his becoming the "Master of Death." He uses the [[Resurrection Stone]] to gain the courage to sacrifice himself in the [[Forbidden Forest]]. He unwittingly becomes the true master of the [[Elder Wand]] by disarming [[Draco Malfoy]]. As the rightful owner of all three Hallows, he is able to survive Voldemort's [[Killing Curse]] and ultimately defeat him. After the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], Harry chooses to keep only the [[Cloak of Invisibility]], leaving the [[Resurrection Stone]] lost in the forest and returning the [[Elder Wand]] to [[Dumbledore]]'s tomb. =====Behind the Scenes===== * J.K. Rowling has stated that the inspiration for //The Tale of the Three Brothers// comes from "The Pardoner's Tale" by Geoffrey Chaucer, in which three men set out to find and kill Death but are undone by their own greed (J.K. Rowling interview). * The symbol for the Hallows was a key visual motif for Rowling during the writing process (Pottermore). * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1//, //The Tale of the Three Brothers// is depicted in a highly stylized and critically acclaimed animated shadow-puppet sequence (film).
