The Harry Potter Compendium
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The Harry Potter Compendium
The Harry Potter Compendium
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Holly

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At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells, and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

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The subject of this article is a real-life person, company, product, or creative work that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Compendium is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really exists), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts.

Holly (genus Ilex) is a genus of four to six hundred species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers found worldwide.[3]

The Holly plant is also associated with the holiday of Christmas. In December 1992 at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Great Hall was decorated with holly and mistletoe for Christmas.[2]

Wandlore[]

According to Garrick Ollivander, holly was one of the rarer kinds of wand woods; traditionally considered protective, it worked most happily for those who might need help overcoming a tendency to anger and impetuosity. At the same time, holly wands often chose owners who were engaged in some dangerous and often spiritual quest.[1]

Holly was one of those woods that varied most dramatically in performance depending on the wand core, and it was a notoriously difficult wood to team with phoenix feather, as the wood's volatility conflicted strangely with the phoenix's detachment. In the unusual event of such a pairing finding its ideal match, however, nothing and nobody should stand in their way.[1]

Wizarding superstition held that those with a wand made of holly were incompatible with those with a wand made of oak and should not marry.[4]

Known users[]

Behind the scenes[]

  • According to Pottermore, "Holly is a traditional symbol of luck, prosperity and protection from evil. It's been used in celebration rituals throughout history including the Roman festival of Saturnalia, the Pagan Winter Solstice and, of course, Christmas."
    • According to J. K. Rowling, "European tradition has it that the holly tree (the name comes from 'holy') repels evil."[7]

See also[]

  • English oak

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Writing by J.K. Rowling: "Wand Woods" at Wizarding World
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12 (The Polyjuice Potion)
  3. ↑ WP favicon Holly on Wikipedia
  4. ↑ The Tales of Beedle the Bard - Albus Dumbledore's commentary on "The Tale of the Three Brothers"
  5. ↑ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  6. ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened - Character profile
  7. ↑ J. K. Rowling's official site (see image)
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