Patronus Symbolism

[WoodenCoyote]

We all know Harry's patronus takes the form of a stag, and we all know why.
JK never does anything without reason, so I'm wondering what's the reasoning behind the other character's animals, such as Cho's swan and Hermione's otter [ I forget his, does anyone remember what's Lupin's? ]

[BerserkerAzn]

We all know Harry's patronus takes the form of a stag, and we all know why.
JK never does anything without reason, so I'm wondering what's the reasoning behind the other character's animals, such as Cho's swan and Hermione's otter [ I forget his, does anyone remember what's Lupin's? ]

They never showed Lupins.

[Charninja]

The patronus either symbolizes something important to the conjuror, or something that represents them.

Cho's swan and hermione's otter have dozens of ways they could be looked at, but it IS generally considered that otters are smart little buggers, and that swans are beautiful but dangerous (they are capable of snapping a man's arm in half with thier wings, you know).

I don't THINK there has been a patronus that did not take some sort of animal form, and I don't remember one that took a non-natural animal form at that.

[morpheaus21]

Actually in an interview Jk rowling said Dumbldore's patronus is a phoenix,which is a non-natrual animal, charninja. :p

[Charninja]

Actually in an interview Jk rowling said Dumbldore's patronus is a phoenix,which is a non-natrual animal, charninja. :p

Eh, so I missed it. Sorry.

[NevrMore]

Did Neville ever correctly cast a Patronus? I seem to remember something about a frog patronus, but I'm not sure..

[WoodenCoyote]

Did Neville ever correctly cast a Patronus? I seem to remember something about a frog patronus, but I'm not sure..

No, in Phoenix JK says he's only able to produce "feeble wisps of smoke"

[Ace of Spades]

Well, we're going to find out what Snape's is in the next book, or so Jo tells us.

[RCG_]

Yeah I have a REAL hard time believing a swan could break a man's arm with its wing. Sorry - but I don't see it.

JK said her favorite animal is an otter and she often compared her younger self to Hermione.

[WoodenCoyote]

Yeah I have a REAL hard time believing a swan could break a man's arm with its wing. Sorry - but I don't see it

No he's correct. Despite their romantic image, swans are very agressive, powerful animals with foul tempers. My aunt works at a retirement community where there are swans, and they have to keep the visitors and guests away from them becuase they can become agressive, especially males, who attack by beating an enemy with its wings. One woman had her finger broken when a swan she was trying to feed bit her.

[Village Dag]

Yeah I have a REAL hard time believing a swan could break a man's arm with its wing. Sorry - but I don't see it.

Yep, Coyotee's right. Swans are agressive little mother$*$*$*$*ers when provoked. And I thought Muscovies were agressive.

[Evangelion Unit-Zeta]

I always veiwed it as Cho's was a Swan because of her beauty, and Hermy's was an Otter because they have big teeth (or is that a walrus? Or am I thinking about something totally different?)

[RCG_]

Uh hehe. I can see a bitten finger....no swan could break my arm. Are you like talking about the skinniest, weakest little kid or a full grown person?

[WoodenCoyote]

Uh hehe. I can see a bitten finger....no swan could break my arm. Are you like talking about the skinniest, weakest little kid or a full grown person?

Grown men. But if you don't believe us, then suit yourself..

[NevrMore]

Uh hehe. I can see a bitten finger....no swan could break my arm. Are you like talking about the skinniest, weakest little kid or a full grown person?

Don't always believe what you see on the outside, dude. Animals can do things you'd never dream possible.

[BerserkerAzn]

Does it really matter at all though?...it's a freakin swan. Lol.

[WoodenCoyote]

Does it really matter at all though?...it's a freakin swan. Lol.

Because its symbolic and blah blah blah :p
I guess this means Cho's not afraid of busting heads, Harry better watch out

[Jimmy Kudo]

JK never does anything without reason,

Mark Evans.

[morpheaus21]

How did this be come a topic on the physical cababilities of a swan?

[Perfect Cell]

I'ts Harry potter man, it's magic! And who is this evans guy? I just missed this little rumor.

[Charninja]

I'ts Harry potter man, it's magic! And who is this evans guy? I just missed this little rumor.

Rowling made the mistake of giving somebody a name when she had no intention of doing anything with him. everybody was jumping all over the rumors that he was the half-blood prince, or the next minister of magic, or was harry's clone or dumbledore's b astard son and all sorts of other crap. The entire Harry Potter community did a sweat drop and an anime fall when Rowling just said he was there and needed a name.

[morpheaus21]

Ok.....so now this is a toppick on the mistakes of J.k rowling, when was the last time someone actually mentioned a patronus on this thread?!? 9_9

[Slavik81]

Those Canadian Geese can be viscous too...

Anyways, on the topic of Canada... I think the significance of Hermione's Patronus is that she secretly wishes to be Canadian...

And actually, I have no idea why Harry's Patronus is a Stag. Yes, most of it has to do with his father turning into one, but there has to be more to it. Also, no reason is given of why his father identified with the stag...

[morpheaus21]

Um in what way is an otter canadian?!? I think you should read the thread again it never says she has a canadian anything,lol. ^_^

[Perfect Cell]

oops double post sorry...

[Perfect Cell]

Otters are in Canada too.

[morpheaus21]

But they never said her otter was canadian, now did they!?!?! huh?!?! NO.And why?
cause there is no reason for her to have a canadian otter!!!! They have otter's in Britain to.

[Slavik81]

Yeah, but her Otter reminded me so much of a Beaver...

I think Nevile needs a Platypus (however it may be spelled)... Or a Penguin...

[User#27]

wow... this thread is spammy.

anyway to the swan disscusion: You don't realize it until you see one up close but Swans are big @$$ birds. A full grown swan can have a 6ft+ wingspan.

To the Canadian disscusion: I believe the origonal canadian comment was a joke. If not then the poster is silly. Either way canada has nothing to do with Hermione's patronus.

To the JK rowlings mistakes disscussion: There was that whole deal in book 4 where James came out before Lilly....

and (finally) to the origonal topic of discussion: Honestly I don't think the patronus shapes have any deep meaning. They are just animal shapes (note that both animals appear in the wild in England) that seemed appropriate to the charecters.