Harry Potter And The Holy Trinity

As regular readers will know, this isn't a Christian blog, but I'm a bit of a Harry Potter fan, and by way of a bit of a change, I'd been planning a post about Christian ideas in the Harry Potter books - especially in the final volume, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows. I'd spotted the parallels myself, but I did a search of the net a few days ago, and found that the Christian-Potter link was still being hotly debated. It was therefore interesting to search again today and find that the author, J K Rowling, is now talking openly about the whole thing on her US book signing tour.

"To me (the religious parallels) have always been obvious," she says, quoted on that well-known theological web site, mtv.com, "but I never wanted to talk too openly about it because I thought it might show people who just wanted the story where we were going."

Of course, this is all particularly ironic because the Potter trilogy has long been vilified by many Christians due to its supposed links with witchcraft. Yet even before the final book, it seems that some such opinions were starting to soften, a change in perspective I can only applaud as a triumph of sense over superstition.

Spoiler alert: If you are a Potter fan who hasn't read the final volume, you may not want to read any further!

To illustrate the links with Christianity, the mtv.com article quotes a couple of biblical passages which appear in The Deathly Hallows and points out that towards the conclusion of the book, Harry appears to get zapped by his arch-rival Voldemort, only to apparently return from the dead in triumph. Meanwhile, another recent article (in Newsweek) points out that Harry spends his time between death and resurrection in a misty sort of afterworld which he calls 'King's Cross'. (Get it?)

What strikes me as particularly significant, though, is that Harry goes into the final battle with Voldemort in the full expectation of laying down his life to save his friends, after which gesture they are suddenly able to turn the tide of the battle in their favor -  all because, we are told, of what Harry has done.

The evidence for the Christian connection seems to be scattered throughout the book(s), and more ardent scholars than I will no doubt gather it all in, but I'm particularly grateful because it helps to explain the puzzling presence in the final book of all those magical artefacts. Magic swords, enchanted chalices and the like are the stock in trade of fantasy fiction, of course. The critic Nick Lowe used to call them 'plot tokens'. But rarely have so many been introduced in a single volume as Rowling manages to cram into The Deathly Hallows.

To start with, there are the Horcruxes. Harry doesn't have to find three of the things, not even five, but seven of them. Why so many? No doubt the clever kids could cope with them all, but were there any adult readers who hadn't lost track of the blessed things by half way through the book? A single magical artifact can have a certain power and charm if the writer describes it well, maybe even three of them can work at a pinch, but any more is too many and seven is just plain boring. Would The Lord Of The Rings have worked better if  Frodo had had to destroy seven rings instead of just one? I don't think so.

So why didn't the publishers ask Rowling to think again? Was it because she was adamant that there had to be seven Horcruxes? Because there are seven seals in the Book Of Revelation perhaps? Not to mention seven trumpets and seven basins into the bargain. (I think they were basins anyway - I can't really remember. Even St John  could have done with a firmer editorial hand...)

And not content with those seven Horcruxes, Rowling goes on to introduce yet more magical artifacts. Half way through the book we finally encounter the Deathly Hallows themselves - all three of the d**n things: the sword of power, the ring of resurrection and the cloak of invisibility. Now what is that all about? Even Harry is uncertain whether to turn his attention to the Hallows or the Horcruxes, and readers can only sympathize with his plight. Perhaps it was a good thing that he didn't look too closely. If he'd realized that the Deathly Hallows might symbolize the Holy Trinity - the power of God the father, the resurrection promised by God the son and, well, Ghosts are invisible, aren't they? - he might have chosen them instead of the Horcruxes. But of course, that would have been a mistake on Harry's part. That would have been using Godhood for earthly power, as Voldemort wished to do. Get thee behind me, Satan...

Aside from this muddle of artifacts, however, I do feel that some aspects of the final Potter book can genuinely speak to the soul. Harry's time in the wilderness is surprisingly bleak for a children's book. I had expected a breakneck chase from one location to the next as they tracked down the various Horcruxes, but it isn't like that all. A lot of the time, Harry and his friends just sit around clueless, not knowing what to do next. As I read, I wasn't sure whether this was just bad writing or deliberately making a point. In the end, I think, there's sufficient evidence that the latter is the case. It's as though the characters have to look inside themselves to find the answers, a concept which will be familiar to readers of this blog. At one point, Harry remarks that he was meant "not to seek but to know", a curious quote in the context of the book - and one which holds echoes for me of one of my earlier posts on enlightenment. As for Harry's frustration that things haven't been properly explained to him, there are many times in my life when I've felt exactly the same. What exactly are we supposed to be doing here? Why doesn't life come with a proper set of instructions?

So why was the Harry Potter series so popular, I wonder? Can it really be explained by the cozy school-story comfort food of the earlier books? Or was it Rowling's reputed use of the law of attraction to sell her books that made the difference?

Or did readers perhaps unconsciously sense the underlying spiritual message right from the start?

The latter may seem unlikely, yet I find myself wondering too about that most popular book of the twentieth century, The Lord Of The Rings. Again, why the immense popularity? I've been a great reader of science fiction and fantasy, believing that the former - and sometimes the latter - are greatly underrated, yet when I first read Tolkien's trilogy as a teenager I was disappointed. The quality of his writing did not seem to match his world-building skills and, well, I could have done with a little bit of humor. Yet I found watching the movie of The Return Of The King a profoundly moving experience. As I watched, I began to realize that the Great Ring, which promised the bearer so much power yet which weighed him down and threatened to destroy him, might be seen as a symbol of the human ego - this great weight which we all carry - which had to be burnt and cleansed in the fire of the mountain.

I don't know if that's what Tolkien (or director Peter Jackson) intended or not, but it's a great way to watch the movie! Do other people see - or sense - something similar, I wonder? It sometimes seems to me that such ideas - the kind of stuff we discuss in this blog - are actually of great importance not just to a wacky minority but to the population at large: not consciously perhaps, yet glimpsed beneath the surface of popular art.

 

These may also be of interest:

To Simply Be

How Does it Feel to Win a Million?

Comments

[Malcolm Campbell]

The archetypes behind the stories are timeless. As readers, we recognize them intuitively long before such symbolism as you point out becomes obvious.

Malcolm

[Kelly]

There are entire treatises written on the Christian elements in Tolkien's work. I think I have a book on it. But anyway, how could Rowling have gotten around it? All the great works in the fantasy genre have been heavily laden with Biblical allegory.

[Sue Ann Edwards]

I haven't been reading the Harry Potter books but my kids have. I Trust in your expertise on the subject. In light of what has recently been reported, that Dumbledoor is gay, who does this correlate with in our Christian myths? Just curious....

Now, the Lord of the Rings trilogy I am familiar with. I fastforward through all the Frodo parts, because his whining bores me. What I've always wondered, is why the Eagles didn't just fly Frodo to the volcano from Rivendale in the first place.

Ahhhh but then, the story wouldn't have been much of a drama, would it?

[James]

This is my first visit to this site; might not be my last. I was looking for links and connections concerning Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, and you know, an agenda. There is certainly an agenda and I am not surprised that the OBE (Order of the British Empire) author outed Albus Dumbledore as homosexual. I am not the only person who sees this as a very well orchestrated plan to erase the line between male and female as well as just plain confuse the c**p out of people. These books are sick and your kids (baby goats!) are adapting them to their subconsciousness.
;E

[Secret Simon]

Thanks for all your comments.

Malcolm – This kind of begs the question as to whether the symbolism which Rowling has used in The Deathly Hallows is really desirable. Are the best books those which focus on communicating their underlying ideas at a deeper, less explicit level?

Kelly – Welcome to my blog! You say that all great fantasy novels are heavily laden with Christian allegory, but I’m not so sure about Titus Groan and Gormenghast, for instance. I suppose that any book about a struggle between good and evil can be taken as a Christian allegory, especially if you happen to be Christian yourself. I, on the other hand, saw Frodo’s troublesome ring as representing the human ego because that is an issue at the centre of my own spiritual ‘beliefs’. Perhaps the great books simply provide a mirror in which can glimpse our own perspective on Truth.

Sue Ann – Of course you are bored by Frodo’s whining! He’s a human struggling with his ego - whining is what we do. Don’t you remember?

Dumbledore being outed as gay is something which happened after I wrote this post, so I’m not really sure how it impacts on the Christian ‘thesis’. It seems to me, however, that Rowling is playing rather fast and loose with Christians, first revealing that Harry Potter is all a Christian story and then coming out with this new revelation in flagrant breach of the teachings of St Paul: it’s kind of like inviting them into the parlour for a friendly chat and then hitting them over the head with large stick. Fortunately those many Christians who understand that homosexuals have a right to be as God created them will not have a problem.

Hi James – Thanks for visiting but I think I’m missing something here. Why are the books ‘sick’ exactly and why is it confusing for Dumbledore to be gay? There are homosexuals in real life so why not have them in books? It seems to me it would be more confusing to leave them out.

[Grace]

How funny :) I came to tell you I had tagged you for a Meme...then focused in on this piece again. I may be one of the few left who have never read one word of a Harry Potter book - not have I ever had a desire to! lol Not sure why...and I fell asleep watching the Lord of the Rings (not sure which one...think it was the first).

Anyway, consider yourself Tagged :)

[Kelly]

It's not just the Frodo and the Ring part that's Christian allegory in LOTR. You'd notice it a lot more if you would also read The Silmarillion, which is kind of a LOTR Bible. I also recommend The Children of Hurin, which actually came out in April of this year. Children is about a Job-like figure. Silmarillion goes a lot into the mythology of LOTR, including the origins of the devil figure, Morgoth (Sauron is just his servant), and it reveals a lot more about the Christ-like nature of Gandalf and his mission. If you really want to get into it, I think you could hardly go a chapter in LOTR without finding some evidence of Biblical allegory.

[Marion]

I haven't read the last book, Simon, but I've noticed the spiritual aspects to these books from the beginning.

I've read a lot about the last book, however, and I think it's time I caught up with my reading!

Thanks for the post, Simon, as usual I go away thinking deeply...

[Liara Covert]

We hear so many interpretations of books after they have been published. An author's conscious and unconscious intents are varied. I agree many archetypes are timeless. We also discern and build on traits we choose to see projected from inside ourselves. On some level, people just love to talk!

One of the recent Harry Potter debates that has unfoldeed concerns the possible homosexuality of Albus Dumbledore. Some readers find this idea inconceivable. Others claim how reading between the lines uncovers more than hints or subtle nuances of this. A greater number of people concur that this sexual orientation seems more likely for the character of Snape. In the end, you, as an individual will decide what matters. You will find connections to what values and beliefs you have or would like to change in yourself. As with children's books, multiple facets mean multiple layers of symbolism and significance can be found.

More generally, I sense Harry Potter books trigger a widespread awakening of our human consciousness. People are realizing they have innate abilities which they assumed had to be supernatural or miraculous before. For example, I believe psychic ability, ESP and skills like divination, are achieveable for many people than actually realize it. You decide what will be possible for you. You create limits for yoruself and you cna also dissolve them. I invite readers to visit my blog and especially posts under the thread called "Consciousness."

[Secret Simon]

Grace – It seems to me that you either do fantasy (and science fiction) or you don’t! It seems to be in the genes.

Kelly – I bought The Silmarillion when it first came out but never felt any inclination to actually read it – so I eventually took it to the charity shop! I think you’re only going to get into that stuff if you’re really, really impressed with The Lord Of The Rings, which I wasn’t. I’m just interested in why Lord Of The Rings and Harry Potter have been so mega, mega successful. You may well be right about all the Christian symbolism in LOTR but I think its appeal is broader than that. After all, it was *LOTR* that was voted most popular book of the 20th century, not the more explicit Christian metaphor of Narnia.

Marion – I hope you enjoy the book – I just hope I haven’t spoiled it for you!

Liara – As I understand it, it’s not the *possible* homosexuality of Dumbledore. It’s definite. J K Rowling is Creator in the Harry Potter universe so she should know. As for Snape, we learn in the final volume that he is definitely heterosexual…

You make a good point regarding the potential for miraculous abilities which may be glimpsed in Harry Potter. I’m not convinced about the books *triggering* an awakening of human consciousness but it’s possible that they may reflect it. You mention divination though, and that is treated rather sceptically in the books.

Many thanks for all your contributions!

[Sue Ann Edwards]

{{Simon}} I wasn't even that whiny as a child of 4. Too stubborn, willful & pigheaded for any of that.

[Liara Covert]

Hi Simon.
I agree with you authors have conscious and unconscious intentions when they write. At the same time, that doesn't necessarily shape all the visions that go on in the minds and imaginations of their readers. We all choose to intuit and detect what we desire to see. Acceptance or denial of what authors intend to write often relates to a reader's values and preferences.

Granted, divination is treated with some scepticism in Harry Potter books. However, not all characters concur on that issue. We each choose to have faith or not based on our own reasons. As with anything in this life, you can only advance in areas where you believe in yourself. At the same time, you may also choose to dissolve self-created doubt and imagined limitations.

The Harry Potter books may indeed reflect a supernatural awakening that is ongoing underneath many people's noses. Just like Muggles or magical beings only see what they train themselves to see, people who aren't ready for any kind of awakening will remain at least partly in the dark.

[jen_chan, writer SureFireWealth.com]

Hi there! I am also a big fan of the Harry Potter series. We can learn a lot about ourselves and about other people through the books. While I never really picked on the Christian parallels as detailed as you did, I also didn't appreciate how some people kept trying to associate Harry Potter with evil. It's such a medieval concept. Anyway, I actually found the Harry, Hermione and Ron forest scenes pretty important. :)