Symbol of the Deathly Hallows

• Type: Magical Symbol, Ideogram
• Represents: The three Deathly Hallows: the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility.
• Known Wearers/Proponents: Xenophilius Lovegood, Gellert Grindelwald, Albus Dumbledore, Ignotus Peverell (on his grave).
• Origin: Associated with the legend of the Three Brothers, as recounted in The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

The Symbol of the Deathly Hallows is a simple geometric figure composed of three distinct marks that, when combined, represent the three legendary Hallows. The design consists of a vertical line enclosed within a circle, which is in turn enclosed by a triangle. Hermione Granger first drew the symbol for Harry Potter and Ron Weasley while visiting the home of Xenophilius Lovegood. Each component of the symbol corresponds to a specific Hallow:

• The vertical line at the center represents the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand ever made.
• The circle enclosing the line represents the Resurrection Stone, a stone capable of bringing back echoes of the dead.
• The enclosing triangle represents the Cloak of Invisibility, which grants its wearer true and lasting invisibility.

The meaning of the symbol is highly dependent on the individual or group viewing it. Over time, it has carried several different connotations.

• For Questers: For believers in the Deathly Hallows, such as Xenophilius Lovegood, the symbol is a sign of recognition used to identify other “questers” who are seeking the Hallows. Wearing it signifies a belief in the legend and the pursuit of becoming the Master of Death.
• For Grindelwald's Followers: The Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald adopted the symbol as his personal mark during his rise to power. He had it carved into a wall at Durmstrang Institute. Consequently, for many in the wizarding world, especially in Eastern Europe, the symbol became associated with Dark Magic and Grindelwald's reign of terror. Viktor Krum described it as a mark of evil, similar to how wizards in Britain view the Dark Mark.
• For Albus Dumbledore: In his youth, Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald adopted the symbol to represent their shared ambition to acquire the Hallows and lead a wizarding revolution “for the greater good.” For the older Dumbledore, the symbol became a mark of his youthful arrogance and profound regret.

The symbol's origin is tied to the legend of the Peverell brothers, the original masters of the Deathly Hallows. The mark was found carved on the gravestone of Ignotus Peverell in the Godric's Hollow graveyard, confirming his identity as the original owner of the Cloak of Invisibility and the “third brother” from the tale. Centuries later, the symbol was co-opted by Gellert Grindelwald. He and a young Albus Dumbledore planned to use their combined power and the Hallows to overturn the International Statute of Secrecy. After their friendship and plans disintegrated, Grindelwald continued to use the symbol as his own. In 1997, Harry Potter first became aware of the symbol when he saw Xenophilius Lovegood wearing it as a pendant at the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. He later saw it again in a letter written by Dumbledore to Grindelwald and inside the copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard that Dumbledore had bequeathed to Hermione Granger. His quest to understand its meaning led the Trio to Xenophilius Lovegood, who explained its connection to the Deathly Hallows. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when Harry and Hermione discovered the symbol on Ignotus's grave in Godric's Hollow, linking the legend directly to Harry's own ancestry.

The Symbol of the Deathly Hallows is a central mystery in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Its conflicting meanings—a sign of ancient legend for Mr. Lovegood versus a mark of dark magic for Viktor Krum—create a puzzle that Harry Potter feels compelled to solve. The symbol drives a significant portion of the plot, leading the Trio to seek answers from Xenophilius Lovegood, a visit that results in an ambush by Death Eaters. More importantly, the discovery of the Hallows temporarily distracts Harry from his mission to destroy Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes, as he becomes obsessed with the idea of uniting the three objects. The symbol serves as the key that unlocks the entire legend of the Hallows, forcing Harry to confront the ultimate temptation of power and the true meaning of being the Master of Death—not as one who conquers it, but as one who accepts it.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, the story of the Three Brothers is told through a distinct, highly stylized animated sequence. As the tale concludes, the Cloak of Invisibility, Resurrection Stone, and Elder Wand visually merge on screen to form the symbol. (film)
• J.K. Rowling has stated that the symbol represents the core themes of the final book, which are centered around death and the obsession with immortality. (J.K. Rowling interview)