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. ======Magical Artefacts====== =====Introduction===== A magical artefact is any object that has been imbued with [[magic]] by a [[witch]] or a [[wizard]]. These items are a fundamental part of wizarding society and range from common household objects enchanted for convenience, such as a `[[Self-Stirring Cauldron]]`, to items of immense and legendary power, like the `[[Deathly Hallows]]` or a `[[Horcrux]]`. The creation of magical artefacts can involve numerous branches of magic, including `[[Charms]]`, `[[Transfiguration]]`, and the `[[Dark Arts]]`. Artefacts play a critical role throughout wizarding history and are often central to major events, personal quests, and the overarching conflict between good and evil. =====Notable Artefacts by Category===== The following list categorizes some of the most significant magical artefacts mentioned in the series. **Legendary and Uniquely Powerful Artefacts** These are objects of immense power, often unique and tied to significant historical events or figures. * `[[Deathly Hallows]]`: The three legendary objects from //The Tale of the Three Brothers//; the `[[Elder Wand]]`, the `[[Resurrection Stone]]`, and the `[[Invisibility Cloak]]`. * `[[Horcrux|Horcruxes]]`: Objects in which a Dark wizard has concealed a fragment of their soul to achieve immortality. Known Horcruxes of `[[Lord Voldemort]]` include `[[Tom Riddle's Diary]]`, `[[Marvolo Gaunt's Ring]]`, `[[Salazar Slytherin's Locket]]`, `[[Helga Hufflepuff's Cup]]`, `[[Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem]]`, and `[[Nagini]]`. * `[[Philosopher's Stone]]`: A stone created by `[[Nicolas Flamel]]` that could transform base metals into pure gold and produce the `[[Elixir of Life]]`. * `[[Sword of Gryffindor]]`: A `[[goblin]]`-made sword that belonged to `[[Godric Gryffindor]]`. It imbibes only that which strengthens it, such as `[[basilisk]]` venom. * `[[Goblet of Fire]]`: A powerful magical object used as an impartial judge to select champions for the `[[Triwizard Tournament]]`. * `[[Sorting Hat]]`: An ancient, sentient hat from `[[Hogwarts]]` that uses `[[Legilimency]]` to determine which of the four school houses each new student belongs to. **Transportation Artefacts** Objects created for the purpose of magical travel. * `[[Broomstick|Broomsticks]]`: The most common form of magical transport for everyday travel and for playing `[[Quidditch]]`. Notable models include the `[[Nimbus 2000]]` and the `[[Firebolt]]`. * `[[Portkey|Portkeys]]`: Mundane objects enchanted to transport anyone who touches them to a pre-arranged destination at a specific time. * `[[Floo Network]]`: A network of magically connected fireplaces, accessed using `[[Floo Powder]]`, allowing for rapid travel and communication. * `[[Knight Bus]]`: Emergency transport for stranded witches and wizards, capable of travelling at incredible speeds and navigating unseen by `[[Muggle|Muggles]]`. * `[[Time-Turner]]`: A device used for limited travel back in time, governed by strict magical laws to prevent catastrophic changes to history. * `[[Flying Ford Anglia]]`: `[[Arthur Weasley]]`'s car, which he illegally enchanted to fly and become invisible. * `[[Vanishing Cabinet]]`: One of a pair of cabinets that form a magical passageway between their locations. **Communication Artefacts** Objects that facilitate communication over short or long distances. * `[[Enchanted Coin|Enchanted Coins]]`: Used by `[[Dumbledore's Army]]`, these fake `[[Galleon|Galleons]]` were enchanted by `[[Hermione Granger]]` to show the date and time of the next meeting. * `[[Two-Way Mirror]]`: A pair of mirrors that allow the holders to see and speak to one another. `[[Sirius Black]]` gave one to `[[Harry Potter]]`. * `[[Howler]]`: A magical letter that delivers its message by shouting it at the recipient in the sender's voice before destroying itself. **Defensive and Information-Gathering Artefacts** Objects designed for protection, detection, or gathering information. * `[[Marauder's Map]]`: A magical map of `[[Hogwarts]]` that shows the location of every person within the castle grounds in real-time. * `[[Pensieve]]`: A stone basin used to view and examine memories. * `[[Remembrall]]`: A small glass sphere that fills with red smoke to remind the holder that they have forgotten something. * `[[Sneakoscope]]`: A spinning-top-like device that lights up, spins, and whistles when it detects deceit or untrustworthy actions nearby. * `[[Deluminator]]`: An invention of `[[Albus Dumbledore]]` that can remove and return light from any light source. It later revealed a deeper magic, guiding `[[Ron Weasley]]` back to his friends. * `[[Shield Hat]]s, Cloaks, and Gloves`: Items of clothing enchanted with the `[[Protego|Shield Charm]]` to deflect minor jinxes and hexes, sold by `[[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]]`. **Dark Artefacts** Objects imbued with `[[Dark Magic]]`, typically used for malevolent purposes and often found at places like `[[Borgin and Burkes]]`. * `[[Hand of Glory]]`: The preserved and shrivelled hand of a hanged man which, when holding a candle, provides light only to the holder. * `[[Cursed Necklace]]`: An opal necklace that was on sale at `[[Borgin and Burkes]]` and was said to have killed nineteen `[[Muggle]]` owners. It was used in a failed attempt to assassinate `[[Albus Dumbledore]]`. =====Role in the Story===== Magical artefacts are central to the plot of the *Harry Potter* series, often serving as the primary objective of a quest or the key to solving a major problem. The entire first book revolves around the race to protect the `[[Philosopher's Stone]]`. The search for and destruction of `[[Lord Voldemort]]`'s `[[Horcrux|Horcruxes]]` forms the main plot of the final two books. The `[[Deathly Hallows]]` introduce a parallel quest that forces `[[Harry Potter]]` to choose between power and duty. Other artefacts, like the `[[Marauder's Map]]` and the `[[Time-Turner]]`, provide critical information or opportunities that allow the protagonists to advance their goals and survive perilous situations. They are essential world-building elements that define the rules, limitations, and possibilities of the magical world. =====Behind the Scenes===== J.K. Rowling frequently uses magical artefacts as significant plot devices, often introducing them in a seemingly casual manner long before their true importance is revealed. This narrative technique, a form of Chekhov's gun, adds depth and foreshadowing to the story. For example, the `[[Vanishing Cabinet]]` is briefly mentioned in //Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets// years before it becomes a crucial element of the plot in //Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//. The design and function of these objects in the film adaptations often add a visual richness to the wizarding world, such as the intricate clockwork mechanism of the `[[Time-Turner]]` or the ethereal glow of a `[[Pensieve]]` (film).
