Mosag was a female Acromantula, and the wife of Aragog. Sometime before 1993, Mosag gave birth to hundreds of baby Acromantulas and co-founded the Acromantula colony located in the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[1] Her husband died later in 1997.[2] Their colony and descendants took part in the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998.[3]
Biography[]
Family life[]
- "...and you see how our family has grown, all through Hagrid's goodness..."
- — Aragog[src]
Sometime before 1993, Mosag was born and found by Rubeus Hagrid. Hagrid already owned one acromantula, Aragog, who needed a wife to start a colony. He brought Mosag to the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts school grounds and the two reproduced and began a family of Acromantulas. These acromantulas quickly grew to form a large colony that would attack any fresh meat. It was likely that she, like Aragog, was fond of Hagrid, and ordered her sons and daughters not to attack him.[1]
On 20 April 1997, Aragog died of a long-suffering illness, leaving Mosag a widow.[2] Later on 2 May 1998, when Voldemort attacked Hogwarts Castle during the Battle of Hogwarts, Aragog and Mosag's many sons and daughters were forced out of their habitat by Death Eaters, which made them enter the battle, attacking both sides.[3]
Etymology[]
Mosag is a Scottish Gaelic word which means "dirty female" or "filthy" according to J. K. Rowling.[4] A Dictionary of the Gaelic Language (Norman Macleod and Daniel Dewar, 1839) defines mosag as "a tawdry, drabbish woman; a worthless woman; a mean or avaricious woman."
Behind the scenes[]
- Mosag was only mentioned passively in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and is not mentioned in the film version.
- It is unknown whether Mosag participated in the Battle of Hogwarts. Since she never actually appears and is only briefly mentioned, it is possible she died before Aragog. This seems plausible, as she likely shared her husband's respect for Hagrid, given that he helped her find a mate to start a colony. If she were still alive, she may have prevented her offspring from attacking Hagrid.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First mentioned)
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter (website) (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Mentioned only)
- The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac (First appearance)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 15 (Aragog)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 22 (After the Burial)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 31 (The Battle of Hogwarts)
- ↑ 60 Minutes interview from 3 October, 2002