Harry Potter is a huge franchise and it is one of the most read books in the world. The story of a teenage wizard has captivated the imagination and hearts of millions across the globe. The books sold millions of copies upon its release (since the first couple of parts became popular). Fans eagerly waited in long lines outside the bookstores for the next book to be released on the D-day since midnight – this was the story of the release of the seventh and the final book, The Deathly Hollows.
Every part of Harry Potter is popular right from the hero Harry Potter to Moaning Myrtle that haunts the girls’ toilet on the third floor. But, the most popular thing about Harry Potter series is of course Hogwarts and it’s Four Magical Houses in which every year new students get sorted into. The Four Houses – Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw – choose pupils that match the unique features or characteristic so true and similar to the founders of the each house. These houses have inspired many videos games and fun activities on the internet and t-shirts. Everyone seems to have a favorite house. Which is yours – we would love you to leave a comment explaining why?
Let’s explore the magical world of these popular houses of Hogwarts.
How it all started ……..
Hogwarts was founded by four great witches and wizards more than a thousand years ago in Britain (there are several other Wizarding schools scattered all over the world). The four great founders - Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin decided to form their own houses when they reached an impasse as to how the wizard students would be selected. Every founder had their own opinion and hence the four houses were created and named after their founders - Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin after the founders’ name.
The sorting hat was created to identify the character traits of students that resembled the quality of the original founders.
Gryffindor House
Founded by the great Godric Gryffindor, this house takes in student wizards who value courage, bravery and thirst for fame. He believed that any child that showed the sign of magic should be allowed into the Hogwarts irrespective of their origin that is magical or mugggle. It is represented by the fierce lion in the color gold and scarlet - the color of fire. They are often associated with heroics sometime bordering on recklessness (Sirius Black, James Potter and Albus Dumbledore). Off all the houses in Hogwarts Gryffindor and Slytherin stand head-to-head and are in fierce competition with each other all the time. They have the best Quidditch team and the Gryffindor tower is guarded by an oil painting of the Fat Lady, who he permits entry only after being given the correct password.
Slytherin House
Founded by the great Salazar Slytherin, this house is notorious for producing many dark wizards most notably Lord Voldermort. Salazar Slytherin did not want any non-magical being or the Muggles selected into Hogwarts and insisted on taking only the pure bloods. The house identifies with cunningness, resourcefulness, and ambition and most of all pure blood supremacy. The emblematic animal of the house is a snake in green and grey color – the color associated with water. They are good leaders, strong and have a certain disregard for the rules and they also place themselves above anyone else. Its common room is located in the dungeons of the castle, beneath the lake which results in green light. The way to get into the dormitory is by shouting the passwords to a stretch of stone walls.
Hufflepuff House
Instead of asking for particular character traits, the accepting founder Helga Hufflepuff decided to take in everyone and anyone. It is the most inclusive house of Hogwarts. Anyone with values like hard work, dedication, patience, loyalty, and fair play is welcome in the house. The emblematic animal is a badger, and much like the down-to-earth nature of the founder, the flag of the house has yellow and black as its colors – the earthy colors. The common room has never been visited by anyone in the book but additional information reveal that it is located in the shadowy stone recess near the kitchen. It is the only house with a repelling device to ward off the intruders or the non-Hufflepuff people.
Ravenclaw House
The Ravenclaw house was founded by another great Witch - Rowena Ravenclaw. Like the founder herself, the students of the house are expected to be witty, learning and possess great wisdom. They are associated with great intellect – Hermione Granger almost got sorted into Ravenclaw because of her great intelligence. Unlike the other houses, for entering the common room of the House Ravenclaw one needs to give a very witty answer to the question posed by the bronze eagle shaped knocker:
"Which came first, the phoenix or the flame?"
Luna Lovegood: "I think the answer is that a circle has no beginning."
Knocker: "Well reasoned."
The common room is located in one of the high towers of Hogwarts and the house associates with the color of blue and bronze. Its flag has eagle in it and air is the main element of the house.
These are the great four houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They are each unique in their own way and have inspired many merchandise products like t-shirts. If you happen to love any of the particular houses and identify with its character traits do not shy away from flaunting it with a T-shirt. For every diehard fan of the Hogwarts and its Famous Houses, there is perfect t-shirt for them.