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{{HogwartsMysterySpoiler}}
 
{{Potion infobox
 
{{Potion infobox
|name=Elixir of Life
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|name = Elixir of Life
|image=[[File:Elixir of Life.jpg|250px]]
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|image = [[File:Elixir of Life.jpg|250px]]
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|effect = [[Immortality]]<ref name=":0">{{PS}}</ref>
|effect=Grants extended life for as long as the user drinks it regularly
 
|side-effects=
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|side-effects = Drinker becomes dependent upon advanced age
|characteristics=
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|characteristics =
 
|time =
*Sweet
 
 
|difficulty = One of a kind
*Aromatic
 
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|ingredients =
|time=
 
 
|inventor = [[Nicolas Flamel]] (indirectly by inventing the [[Philosopher's Stone]])
|difficulty=
 
|ingredients=Derived from the [[Philosopher's Stone]]
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|manufacturer = The [[Philosopher's Stone]]
|inventor=[[Nicolas Flamel]] (when he invented the [[Philosopher's Stone]])
 
 
}}
 
}}
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{{Quote|The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It will transform any metal into pure [[gold]] and produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker [[Immortality|immortal]].|A [[Hogwarts library]] book|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)}}
The '''Elixir of Life''' is a [[potion]] produced by using the [[Philosopher's Stone]] that extends the life of the drinker.
 
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The '''Elixir of Life''' was a [[potion]] procured from the [[Philosopher's Stone]] that made the drinker [[Immortality|immortal]], as long as they consume the potion on a regular basis.<ref name=":0">{{PS}}</ref>
   
 
==Powers==
 
==Powers==
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The Elixir of Life will extend the lifespan of those who drink it, and so long as they keep drinking it regularly, they will remain [[Immortality|immortal]].
The Elixir grants the drinker an indefinitely extended life, for as long as they keep drinking it regularly, though, the frequency with which it needs to be consumed (along with its entire creation process) is unknown. Any person who relies on the Elixir will die if they cannot obtain more Elixir before the last quantity imbibed wears off.
 
   
The Elixir also has the ability to somehow reincarnate a disembodied yet earthbound soul, mostly due to the powerful magical, life-based properties. Indeed, [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] planned to steal the [[Philosopher's Stone]] to use the power of the elixir for such purpose, but he was thwarted by [[Harry Potter]] in [[1992]].
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The Elixir was also able to restore a disembodied but earthbound [[soul]] to full life, creating a body. Indeed, [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]], surviving as a lingering spirit due to his [[Horcrux]]es planned to steal the [[Philosopher's Stone]] to use the Elixir for that purpose, but was thwarted by [[Harry Potter]] in [[1992]].<ref name=":0" />
   
 
===Limitations===
 
===Limitations===
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The Elixir of Life was not infallible. If a person used the Elixir to age beyond their natural lifespan, they will become completely dependent on it, and ceasing its consumption will lead to [[death]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="HBP23">{{HBP|B|23}}</ref> Furthermore, while the Elixir extends one's lifespan, it does not cease one's body from ageing, and if using it to reach an exceptionally advanced age, it will leave them with a decrepit appearance.<ref>{{COG}}</ref> For example, [[Nicolas Flamel]], who created the [[Philosopher's Stone]], lived for a little over six-hundred and sixty years along with wife [[Perenelle Flamel|Perenelle]], but took on a senile and ancient appearance, dying when he and his wife decided to have the Stone destroyed which subsequently depleted their supply of Elixir.<ref name=":0" />
The Elixir does not make the drinker truly [[Immortality|immortal]], but only lengthens the lifespan. For example, [[Nicolas Flamel]] (who created the [[Philosopher's Stone]]) and his wife [[Perenelle Flamel|Perenelle]] lived for little over six-hundred and sixty years because of this elixir, but eventually died when the Stone was destroyed (with their blessing) and their supply of Elixir subsequently depleted. Dumbledore stated that the Stone from which it was made could also become infected through time, making it obsolete to make the Elixir from it. It is also unknown whether or not the stone halts, reverses or slows ageing and whether or not there are any drawbacks to being reincarnated in this way.
 
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In addition, the supply of Elixir can become contaminated, which may either annul the drinker's immortality or outright become [[poison]].<ref name="HBP23" />
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|first film]], [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] claims that unlike [[Unicorn blood|Unicorn Blood]] or the living off [[Quirinus Quirrell|another]], the Elixir of Life can give him a body; however, in the film, it is not made clear that the Elixir can supply one with a spare body.
* It is not mentioned whether the Elixir grants complete immortality or merely extends life. It is possible that someone who has taken the Elixir may still die of illness or injury.
 
 
*On {{PM}}, the image used to illustrate the Elixir of Life for the "Favourites" screen is the same used for [[Infusion of Wormwood]]. Whether this is merely a placeholder image or is meant to imply the two are somehow related is unclear.
* In the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|first film]], [[Lord Voldemort]] claims that unlike [[Unicorn Blood]] or the living off [[Quirinus Quirrell|another]], the Elixir of Life can give him a body; however, in the movie, it is not made clear that the Elixir can supply one with a spare body.
 
 
*Voldemort refused to rely on the Elixir of Life for his immortality, as he would be required to drink it for eternity, and the possibility of contamination or the stone's loss would result in his death. His streak of independence made it intolerable for him to rely on the Elixir to survive, and only desired it to recreate his body.<ref name="HBP23" />
* Given that this potion is an '''elixir''' it must be sweet and aromatic in nature (as all elixirs are, by definition).
 
  +
*One of the three main goals of [[alchemy]] was to create [[panacea]], a remedy that would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. The creation of the Elixir of Life can be considered to be the success of this goal, as the potion extends life if drunk for eternity, and can bring a disembodied soul back to a physical form.
* On ''[[Pottermore]]'', the image used to illustrate the Elixir of Life for the "Favourites" screen is the same used for [[Infusion of Wormwood]]. Whether this is merely a placeholder image or is meant to imply the two are somehow related is unclear.
 
  +
*In the Muggle world, many past Muggles, believing themselves to be true alchemists, attempted to create what they believed to be an Elixir of Life. Many of these substances, far from contributing to longevity, were actively toxic, one such that [[Wikipedia:Qin Shi Huang|Qin Shi Huang]] of [[China]] died from a large dosage of [[mercury]] that he believed to be elixir.
* Voldemort refused to rely on the Elixir of Life for his immortality, as he would be required to drink it for eternity, and the possibility of contamination or the stone's loss would result in his death. His streak of independence made it intolerable for him to rely on the Elixir to survive, and only desired it to recreate his body.
 
[[Category:Alchemy]]
 
[[Category:Philosopher's Stone]]
 
[[Category:Potions]]
 
   
==Appearances==
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==See also==
 
*[[Alchemy]]
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st Mention}}
 
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*[[Panacea]]
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)]]'' {{1st}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter Trading Card Game]]''
 
*''[[Pottermore]]''
 
   
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==Appearances==
{{Potion-stub}}
 
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*{{PS}} {{1st Mention}}
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*{{PS|F}} {{Mention}}
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*{{GOF}} {{Mention}}
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*{{HBP}} {{Mention}}
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*{{DH|G1}}
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*{{HPK}} {{Mention}}
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*{{TCG}} {{1st}}
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*{{PM}}
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*{{HM}} {{Mention}}
   
  +
==Notes and references==
[[es:Elixir de la Vida]]
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{{Reflist}}[[es:Elixir de la Vida]]
 
[[fr:Élixir de longue vie]]
 
[[fr:Élixir de longue vie]]
 
[[it:Elisir di Lunga Vita]]
 
[[it:Elisir di Lunga Vita]]
 
[[pl:Eliksir Życia]]
 
[[pl:Eliksir Życia]]
[[Category:Alchemy]]
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[[Category:Nicolas Flamel's possessions]]
 
[[Category:Philosopher's Stone]]
 
[[Category:Philosopher's Stone]]
 
[[Category:Potions]]
 
[[Category:Potions]]

Revision as of 16:56, 12 July 2020

"The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It will transform any metal into pure gold and produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal."
— A Hogwarts library book[src]

The Elixir of Life was a potion procured from the Philosopher's Stone that made the drinker immortal, as long as they consume the potion on a regular basis.[1]

Powers

The Elixir of Life will extend the lifespan of those who drink it, and so long as they keep drinking it regularly, they will remain immortal.

The Elixir was also able to restore a disembodied but earthbound soul to full life, creating a body. Indeed, Lord Voldemort, surviving as a lingering spirit due to his Horcruxes planned to steal the Philosopher's Stone to use the Elixir for that purpose, but was thwarted by Harry Potter in 1992.[1]

Limitations

The Elixir of Life was not infallible. If a person used the Elixir to age beyond their natural lifespan, they will become completely dependent on it, and ceasing its consumption will lead to death.[1][2] Furthermore, while the Elixir extends one's lifespan, it does not cease one's body from ageing, and if using it to reach an exceptionally advanced age, it will leave them with a decrepit appearance.[3] For example, Nicolas Flamel, who created the Philosopher's Stone, lived for a little over six-hundred and sixty years along with wife Perenelle, but took on a senile and ancient appearance, dying when he and his wife decided to have the Stone destroyed which subsequently depleted their supply of Elixir.[1]

In addition, the supply of Elixir can become contaminated, which may either annul the drinker's immortality or outright become poison.[2]

Behind the scenes

  • In the first film, Lord Voldemort claims that unlike Unicorn Blood or the living off another, the Elixir of Life can give him a body; however, in the film, it is not made clear that the Elixir can supply one with a spare body.
  • On Pottermore, the image used to illustrate the Elixir of Life for the "Favourites" screen is the same used for Infusion of Wormwood. Whether this is merely a placeholder image or is meant to imply the two are somehow related is unclear.
  • Voldemort refused to rely on the Elixir of Life for his immortality, as he would be required to drink it for eternity, and the possibility of contamination or the stone's loss would result in his death. His streak of independence made it intolerable for him to rely on the Elixir to survive, and only desired it to recreate his body.[2]
  • One of the three main goals of alchemy was to create panacea, a remedy that would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. The creation of the Elixir of Life can be considered to be the success of this goal, as the potion extends life if drunk for eternity, and can bring a disembodied soul back to a physical form.
  • In the Muggle world, many past Muggles, believing themselves to be true alchemists, attempted to create what they believed to be an Elixir of Life. Many of these substances, far from contributing to longevity, were actively toxic, one such that Qin Shi Huang of China died from a large dosage of mercury that he believed to be elixir.

See also

Appearances

Notes and references