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{{Spoiler|WU|HM}}
{{CrimesofGrindelwaldSpoiler}}[[File:Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 700x90.jpg|center|link=http://bit.ly/2fZVT7z]]
 
 
{{Semiprotected}}
 
{{Semiprotected}}
{{Youmay|the [[magic]]al object|the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone|novel]], [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|film]], [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (soundtrack)|soundtrack]], [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)|video game]] or [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game soundtrack)|video game soundtrack]]}}
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{{Youmay|the [[:category:magical objects|magical object]]|the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone|novel]], [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|film]], [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (soundtrack)|soundtrack]], [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)|video game]] or [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game soundtrack)|video game soundtrack]]}}
 
{{Object infobox
 
{{Object infobox
|name=Philosopher's Stone<!-- DO NOT add or change to "Sorcerer's Stone". This wiki uses the British name. -->
+
|name = Philosopher's Stone<!-- DO NOT add or change to "Sorcerer's Stone". This wiki uses the British name. -->
|image=Pholosophers-Stone PM.jpg
+
|image = Pholosophers-Stone PM.jpg
|location=
+
|location =
|manufacturer=[[Nicolas Flamel]]
+
|manufacturer = [[Nicolas Flamel]]<ref name="PS13">{{PS|B|13}}</ref>
  +
|made = [[14th century]] or later
|made=
 
|usage=Produces the [[Elixir of Life]] and transforms any metal into [[gold|pure gold]]
+
|usage = Produces the [[Elixir of Life]] and transforms any metal into [[gold|pure gold]]<ref name="PS13"/>
|owners=[[Nicolas Flamel]]
+
|owners = [[Nicolas Flamel]]<ref name="PS13"/>
 
}}
 
}}
{{Quote|The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal.|An unknown book|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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{{Quote|The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal.|A [[Hogwarts library]] book|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
   
The '''Philosopher's Stone'''<!-- DO NOT add or change to "Sorcerer's Stone". This wiki uses the British name. --> was an artificial, rufescent stone with magical properties. It could be used to create the [[Elixir of Life]], which extended the drinker's lifespan, as well as transform any metal into [[gold|pure gold]]. The Stone was created by the famed alchemist [[Nicolas Flamel]].
+
The '''Philosopher's Stone'''<!-- DO NOT add or change to "Sorcerer's Stone". This wiki uses the British name. --> was a legendary [[Alchemy|alchemical]] substance with [[magic]]al properties. This ruby-red stone could be used to create the [[Elixir of Life]], which made the drinker [[Immortality|immortal]], as well as transform any metal into [[gold|pure gold]]. The only known Stone to have ever existed was created by the famed alchemist [[Nicolas Flamel]].<ref name="PS13"/> During [[1991–1992 school year]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] made attempts to steal the Stone for his own purposes. The final and almost successful attempt broke out in a skirmish for possession of the Stone. Voldemort was foiled by eleven year old [[Harry Potter]] and his return to power was delayed.<ref name="PS17">{{PS|B|17}}</ref>
 
During 1991-1992 school year [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] made attempts to steal the Stone for his own purposes. The final and almost successful attempt broke out in a skirmish for possession of the Stone. Voldemort was foiled by eleven year old [[Harry Potter]] and his return to power was delayed.
 
   
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Creation===
 
===Creation===
The famed [[Alchemy|alchemist]] [[Nicolas Flamel]] created the only Philosopher's Stone which (in 1991) was known to exist. Flamel used the [[Elixir of Life]] made from the stone to extend his and his wife [[Perenelle Flamel|Perenelle]]'s lifespan for over six centuries.<ref name="PH">{{PS}}</ref>
+
The only known Philosopher's Stone to have ever existed was created by the famed alchemist, [[Nicolas Flamel]], sometime in the [[14th century]] or later. Flamel used the [[Elixir of Life]] exuded from the stone to extend his and his wife [[Perenelle Flamel|Perenelle]]'s lifespan for over six centuries.<ref name="PS13"/>
  +
 
Critics of the [[Deathly Hallows]] claimed that [[Beedle the Bard]] was inspired to create the life-restoring [[Resurrection Stone]] from the life-extending Philosopher's Stone.<ref name="DH21">{{DH|B|21}}</ref>
  +
 
[[File:Philosopher's Stone.jpg|250px|thumb|The Stone in Flamel's House in 1927]]
 
While living in [[Paris]] in [[1927]], Flamel kept the Philosopher's Stone on the shelf of a drawer, where it could be seen when he met [[Jacob Kowalski]].<ref name="COGS">{{COG|S}}</ref>
   
 
During [[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s studentship at Hogwarts, he would rant to anyone who would bother to listen about planning to achieve many impressive feats, one of which is to create a Philosopher's Stone before graduation; of course, he never did so.<ref name="pottermorebio">{{WW|gilderoy-lockhart}}</ref>
===Grindelwald's revolution===
 
[[File:Philosopher's Stone.jpg|114x114px|thumb|The Stone in Flamel's House]]
 
While living in [[Paris]] in [[1927]], Flamel kept the Philosopher's Stone on the shelf of a drawer, where it was briefly seen during his meeting with [[Jacob Kowalski]].<ref>{{COG}}</ref>
 
   
 
===Protecting the Stone===
 
===Protecting the Stone===
 
{{Quote|I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected.|[[Minerva McGonagall|Professor McGonagall]] regarding the stone's safety|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
 
{{Quote|I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected.|[[Minerva McGonagall|Professor McGonagall]] regarding the stone's safety|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
   
[[File:Stone in vault.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The Stone in Gringotts [[Vault 713]] in 1991]]
+
[[File:Stone in vault.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The Stone in Gringotts Vault 713 in 1991]]
   
In 1991 the Philosopher's Stone became the target of the [[Dark Wizard]] Lord Voldemort in his quest for the [[Elixir of Life]] in order to create a new body for his mangled soul after his failed attack on [[Godric's Hollow]], though it is unknown how Voldemort learned of the stone. Voldemort used a human host, Quirinus Quirrell, to seek it out at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], where it was being held. The stone was originally stored at [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]] in Vault 713. However, possibly suspecting a threat, Albus Dumbledore had [[Rubeus Hagrid]] retrieve the stone the very morning of an attempted robbery.
+
In 1991, the Philosopher's Stone became the target of the [[Dark Wizard]] Lord Voldemort in his quest for the [[Elixir of Life]] in order to create a new body for his mangled soul after his failed attack on [[Godric's Hollow]], though it is unknown how Voldemort learned of the stone. Voldemort used a human host, Quirinus Quirrell, to seek it out at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], where it was being held.<ref name="PS17"/> The stone was originally stored at [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]] in [[Vault 713]]. However, possibly suspecting a threat, Albus Dumbledore had [[Rubeus Hagrid]] retrieve the stone the very morning of an attempted robbery.<ref name="PS5">{{PS|B|5}}</ref>
  +
[[File:Philosopher's Stone2.jpg|220x220px|thumb|The Stone in the Underground Chamber in Hogwarts in 1992]]
 
After that, the Stone was placed in a special chamber and guarded by seven enchantments and creatures, provided by the professors at Hogwarts: [[Pomona Sprout|Professor Sprout's]] web of [[Devil's Snare]]; [[Winged Keys]], [[Flying charm|charmed]] by [[Filius Flitwick]]; a [[Chessboard Chamber|life-size board]] of [[Wizard's Chess]], [[Transfiguration|transfigured]] and [[Piertotum Locomotor|animated]] by Professor McGonagall; Professor Quirrell's [[Quirinus Quirrell's second mountain troll|mountain troll]]; [[Severus Snape|Professor Snape]]'s [[Potion riddle]]; and the [[Mirror of Erised]], placed there by Albus Dumbledore. [[Rubeus Hagrid]]'s massive three-headed dog, [[Fluffy]], guarded the trap door through which the chamber lay.<ref name="PS16">{{PS|B|16}}</ref> In order to keep them safe from Fluffy and the other obstacles, Dumbledore forbade the third-floor corridor to all students.<ref name="PS7">{{PS|B|7}}</ref>
   
 
[[Harry Potter]] and his best friends [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] suspected that the stone would be stolen. In overhearing out-of-context conversations, they believed the thief would be Hogwarts Potions Master [[Severus Snape]].<ref name="PS16"/>
After that, the Stone was placed in a special chamber and guarded by seven enchantments and creatures, provided by the professors at Hogwarts: [[Pomona Sprout|Professor Sprout's]] web of [[Devil's Snare]]; flying keys, charmed by [[Filius Flitwick]]; a life-size board of [[Wizard's Chess]], transfigured by Professor McGonagall; Professor Quirrell's mountain troll; [[Severus Snape|Professor Snape]]'s potion riddle; and the [[Mirror of Erised]], placed there by Albus Dumbledore. [[Rubeus Hagrid]]'s massive three-headed dog, [[Fluffy]], guarded the trap door through which the chamber lay. In order to keep them safe from Fluffy and the other obstacles, Dumbledore forbade the third-floor corridor to all students.
 
   
 
[[File:Harrry_reaching_for_the_stone.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Harry Potter battling Voldemort and Quirrell for possession of the stone in the [[Underground Chambers]]]]
[[Harry Potter]] and his best friends [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] suspected that the stone would be stolen. In overhearing out-of-context conversations, they believed the thief would be Hogwarts Potions Master [[Severus Snape]].
 
   
 
Harry felt compelled to protect the stone and he and his friends, using intellectual power and heroism far exceeding their years, fought past the obstacles, until finally Harry was forced to face [[Quirinus Quirrell]] and [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] himself. In the final showdown, Quirrell lost his life, and Lord Voldemort lost his meagre hold on the physical world once again.<ref name="PS17"/>
[[File:Harrry_reaching_for_the_stone.jpg|250px|thumb|Harry Potter battling Voldemort and Quirrell for possession of the stone in the [[Underground Chambers]]]]
 
   
  +
[[File:Philosopher Stone PS.png|thumb|The stone in Harry's hand]]
Harry felt compelled to protect the stone and he and his friends, using intellectual power and heroism far exceeding their years, fought past the obstacles, until finally Harry was forced to face [[Quirinus Quirrell]] and [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] himself. In the final showdown, Quirrell lost his life, and Lord Voldemort lost his meagre hold on the physical world once again.
 
 
After securing the stone, [[Albus Dumbledore]] and Flamel discussed its future, and agreed that it was best to destroy it. Flamel ensured he had enough remaining elixir to set his affairs in order before he and his wife would ultimately die, a fate with which they were quite content. According to Dumbledore, their deaths would be like "''going to bed after a very, very long day''", after living for over 660 years.<ref name="PS17" />
 
After securing the stone, [[Albus Dumbledore]] and Flamel discussed its future, and agreed that it was best to destroy it. Flamel ensured he had enough remaining elixir to set his affairs in order before he and his wife would ultimately die, a fate with which they were quite content. According to Dumbledore, their deaths would be like "''going to bed after a very, very long day''", after living for over 600 years.<ref name="PH" />
 
   
 
===Aftermath===
 
===Aftermath===
 
{{Quote|The Stone was not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you wanted, the two things most human beings would choose above all. The trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.|Albus Dumbledore regarding the true nature of the Philosopher's Stone|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
 
{{Quote|The Stone was not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you wanted, the two things most human beings would choose above all. The trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.|Albus Dumbledore regarding the true nature of the Philosopher's Stone|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
After his failure, [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] correctly deduced that [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]] would destroy the stone to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands again. Voldemort had then given up on the stone and waited for another method to regenerate his body.<ref>{{GOF}}</ref> He only wanted the stone to create a body for himself, and nothing more, as being dependent on the Elixir and Stone for his [[immortality]] is unacceptable.<ref name="HBP">{{HBP}}</ref>
+
After his failure, [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] correctly deduced that [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]] would destroy the stone to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands again. Voldemort had then given up on the stone and waited for another method to regenerate his body.<ref name="GOF33">{{GOF|B|33}}</ref> He only wanted the stone to create a body for himself, and nothing more, as being dependent on the Elixir and Stone for his [[immortality]] was for him unacceptable.<ref name="HBP23">{{HBP|B|23}}</ref>
  +
  +
When [[Dumbledore's Army]] met for the first time in the [[Hog's Head Inn]] in [[1995]], [[Neville Longbottom]] referred to it incorrectly as the "Philological Stone" when discussing Harry's past achievements.<ref name="OP16">{{OOTP|B|16}}</ref>
   
 
==Nature==
 
==Nature==
  +
[[File:The Stone.png|100px|thumb|The stone wrapped in brown paper]]
The Stone can turn base metals into gold, and also produce the [[Elixir of Life]], which grants immortality.<ref name="PM-PS">{{PM|the-philosophers-stone}}</ref>
+
The Stone could turn any metal into pure gold, and produced the [[Elixir of Life]], which granted [[immortality]].<ref name="PM-PS">{{WW|the-philosophers-stone}}</ref>
  +
 
The Stone was variously described as red and white in the many old texts in which it appeared. These colours were important in most accounts of alchemy, and were often interpreted as having symbolic meaning.<ref name="PM-PS" />
   
 
According to a page in ''[[Advanced Potion-Making]]'', "''the Philosopher's Stone was believed to mystically amplify the user's knowledge of alchemy so much that anything was attainable''."<ref>http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=/movie7/books/page_advancedpotionmaking.jpg</ref>
The Stone is variously described as red and white in the many old texts in which it appears. These colours are important in most accounts of alchemy, and are often interpreted as having symbolic meaning.<ref name="PM-PS" />
 
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
[[File:Philosopher Stone PS.png|220px|thumb|The Stone in Harry's hand]]
+
[[File:Philosopher'sStoneWU.png|150px|thumb|The Philosopher's Stone as seen in {{WU}}]]
[[File:The_Stone.png|100px|thumb]]
 
 
*The Stone is known in the United States books and films as the ''Sorcerer's Stone'' (with the exception of {{TBB}}, where it is referenced as "the Philosopher's Stone"). This was so because American children were supposedly not as familiar with the real-world mythology surrounding the Philosopher's Stone and to enhance the connection of the first book with magic.
 
*The Stone is known in the United States books and films as the ''Sorcerer's Stone'' (with the exception of {{TBB}}, where it is referenced as "the Philosopher's Stone"). This was so because American children were supposedly not as familiar with the real-world mythology surrounding the Philosopher's Stone and to enhance the connection of the first book with magic.
*Critics of the [[Deathly Hallows]] claim that Beedle was inspired to create the life-restoring [[Resurrection Stone]] from the life-extending Philosopher's Stone.
 
 
*Historically for [[Alchemy|Alchemists]], the Philosopher's stone was a symbol of achieving perfection, a theme that is carried throughout the Harry Potter series as [[Harry Potter|Harry]] goes through a "Refiner's Fire" or "Crucible", and becomes the man he is at the end of the series.
 
*Historically for [[Alchemy|Alchemists]], the Philosopher's stone was a symbol of achieving perfection, a theme that is carried throughout the Harry Potter series as [[Harry Potter|Harry]] goes through a "Refiner's Fire" or "Crucible", and becomes the man he is at the end of the series.
 
*Five years after the stone's destruction, Harry suggested that if Voldemort was obsessed with immortality, he could either create or steal a Philosopher's Stone, implying that the one created by Flamel was not unique, nor is the method, or believing Voldemort is magically intelligent enough to duplicate the method.<ref name="HBP23" />
*According to a page in Advanced Potion-Making, "''the Philosopher's Stone was believed to mystically amplify the user's knowledge of alchemy so much that anything was attainable''."<ref>http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=/movie7/books/page_advancedpotionmaking.jpg</ref>
 
*Five years after the stone's destruction, Harry suggested that if Voldemort was obsessed with immortality, he could either create or steal a Philosopher's Stone, implying that the one created by Flamel was not unique, nor is the method, or believing Voldemort is magically intelligent enough to duplicate the method.<ref name="HBP" />
 
 
**Though given that it was said that the stone was the only one of its kind Harry may have said it in the theoretical sense or simply forgot that only one Philosopher Stone ever existed.
 
**Though given that it was said that the stone was the only one of its kind Harry may have said it in the theoretical sense or simply forgot that only one Philosopher Stone ever existed.
*When [[Dumbledore's Army]] meets for the first time in the [[Hog's Head Inn]], [[Neville Longbottom]] refers to it as the "Philological Stone" ("Sorcerous Stone" in the U.S. edition) when discussing Harry's past achievements.<ref name="OP16">{{OOTP|B|16}}</ref><ref name="lexicon">[http://www.hp-lexicon.org/about/books/op/differences-op.html Harry Potter Lexicon - Differences UK/US Editions]</ref>
+
*In {{OOTP}}, [[Neville Longbottom]] calls it the "Philological Stone" ("Sorcerous Stone") in the U.S. edition) when discussing Harry's past achievements.<ref name="OP16">{{OOTP|B|16}}</ref><ref name="lexicon">[http://www.hp-lexicon.org/about/books/op/differences-op.html Harry Potter Lexicon - Differences UK/US Editions]</ref>
*During [[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s studentship at Hogwarts, he would rant to anyone who would bother to listen about planning to achieve many impressive feats, one of which is to create a Philosopher's Stone before graduation; of course, he never did so.<ref name="pottermorebio">{{PM|gilderoy-lockhart}}</ref>
 
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
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*{{HBP}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{HBP}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{DH}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{DH}} {{Mention}}
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*{{COG|S}}
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*{{COG}}
 
*{{HPPU}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{HPPU}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{LEGO|C}}
 
*{{LEGO|C}}
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*{{TCG}}
 
*{{TCG}}
 
*{{PM}}
 
*{{PM}}
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*{{WW}}
 
*{{HPV|CH}}
 
*{{HPV|CH}}
 
*{{HPV|CR}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{HPV|CR}} {{Mention}}
*{{COG}}
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*{{HM}} {{Mention}}
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*{{HM}}
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==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
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[[da:De Vises Sten]]
 
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[[zh:魔法石]]
 
[[zh:魔法石]]
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[[Category:Foundables]]
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[[Category:Magical objects]]
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[[Category:Nicolas Flamel's possessions]]
 
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[[Category:Philosopher's Stone]]
 
[[Category:Stones]]
 
[[Category:Stones]]

Revision as of 18:56, 25 August 2020

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

The Philosopher's Stone was a legendary alchemical substance with magical properties. This ruby-red stone could be used to create the Elixir of Life, which made the drinker immortal, as well as transform any metal into pure gold. The only known Stone to have ever existed was created by the famed alchemist Nicolas Flamel.[1] During 1991–1992 school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Lord Voldemort made attempts to steal the Stone for his own purposes. The final and almost successful attempt broke out in a skirmish for possession of the Stone. Voldemort was foiled by eleven year old Harry Potter and his return to power was delayed.[2]

History

Creation

The only known Philosopher's Stone to have ever existed was created by the famed alchemist, Nicolas Flamel, sometime in the 14th century or later. Flamel used the Elixir of Life exuded from the stone to extend his and his wife Perenelle's lifespan for over six centuries.[1]

Critics of the Deathly Hallows claimed that Beedle the Bard was inspired to create the life-restoring Resurrection Stone from the life-extending Philosopher's Stone.[3]

Philosopher's Stone

The Stone in Flamel's House in 1927

While living in Paris in 1927, Flamel kept the Philosopher's Stone on the shelf of a drawer, where it could be seen when he met Jacob Kowalski.[4]

During Gilderoy Lockhart's studentship at Hogwarts, he would rant to anyone who would bother to listen about planning to achieve many impressive feats, one of which is to create a Philosopher's Stone before graduation; of course, he never did so.[5]

Protecting the Stone

"I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected."
Professor McGonagall regarding the stone's safety[src]
Stone in vault

The Stone in Gringotts Vault 713 in 1991

In 1991, the Philosopher's Stone became the target of the Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort in his quest for the Elixir of Life in order to create a new body for his mangled soul after his failed attack on Godric's Hollow, though it is unknown how Voldemort learned of the stone. Voldemort used a human host, Quirinus Quirrell, to seek it out at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where it was being held.[2] The stone was originally stored at Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Vault 713. However, possibly suspecting a threat, Albus Dumbledore had Rubeus Hagrid retrieve the stone the very morning of an attempted robbery.[6]

Philosopher's Stone2

The Stone in the Underground Chamber in Hogwarts in 1992

After that, the Stone was placed in a special chamber and guarded by seven enchantments and creatures, provided by the professors at Hogwarts: Professor Sprout's web of Devil's Snare; Winged Keys, charmed by Filius Flitwick; a life-size board of Wizard's Chess, transfigured and animated by Professor McGonagall; Professor Quirrell's mountain troll; Professor Snape's Potion riddle; and the Mirror of Erised, placed there by Albus Dumbledore. Rubeus Hagrid's massive three-headed dog, Fluffy, guarded the trap door through which the chamber lay.[7] In order to keep them safe from Fluffy and the other obstacles, Dumbledore forbade the third-floor corridor to all students.[8]

Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger suspected that the stone would be stolen. In overhearing out-of-context conversations, they believed the thief would be Hogwarts Potions Master Severus Snape.[7]

Harrry reaching for the stone

Harry Potter battling Voldemort and Quirrell for possession of the stone in the Underground Chambers

Harry felt compelled to protect the stone and he and his friends, using intellectual power and heroism far exceeding their years, fought past the obstacles, until finally Harry was forced to face Quirinus Quirrell and Lord Voldemort himself. In the final showdown, Quirrell lost his life, and Lord Voldemort lost his meagre hold on the physical world once again.[2]

Philosopher Stone PS

The stone in Harry's hand

After securing the stone, Albus Dumbledore and Flamel discussed its future, and agreed that it was best to destroy it. Flamel ensured he had enough remaining elixir to set his affairs in order before he and his wife would ultimately die, a fate with which they were quite content. According to Dumbledore, their deaths would be like "going to bed after a very, very long day", after living for over 660 years.[2]

Aftermath

"The Stone was not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you wanted, the two things most human beings would choose above all. The trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them."
— Albus Dumbledore regarding the true nature of the Philosopher's Stone[src]

After his failure, Voldemort correctly deduced that Dumbledore would destroy the stone to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands again. Voldemort had then given up on the stone and waited for another method to regenerate his body.[9] He only wanted the stone to create a body for himself, and nothing more, as being dependent on the Elixir and Stone for his immortality was for him unacceptable.[10]

When Dumbledore's Army met for the first time in the Hog's Head Inn in 1995, Neville Longbottom referred to it incorrectly as the "Philological Stone" when discussing Harry's past achievements.[11]

Nature

The Stone

The stone wrapped in brown paper

The Stone could turn any metal into pure gold, and produced the Elixir of Life, which granted immortality.[12]

The Stone was variously described as red and white in the many old texts in which it appeared. These colours were important in most accounts of alchemy, and were often interpreted as having symbolic meaning.[12]

According to a page in Advanced Potion-Making, "the Philosopher's Stone was believed to mystically amplify the user's knowledge of alchemy so much that anything was attainable."[13]

Behind the scenes

Philosopher'sStoneWU

The Philosopher's Stone as seen in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

  • The Stone is known in the United States books and films as the Sorcerer's Stone (with the exception of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, where it is referenced as "the Philosopher's Stone"). This was so because American children were supposedly not as familiar with the real-world mythology surrounding the Philosopher's Stone and to enhance the connection of the first book with magic.
  • Historically for Alchemists, the Philosopher's stone was a symbol of achieving perfection, a theme that is carried throughout the Harry Potter series as Harry goes through a "Refiner's Fire" or "Crucible", and becomes the man he is at the end of the series.
  • Five years after the stone's destruction, Harry suggested that if Voldemort was obsessed with immortality, he could either create or steal a Philosopher's Stone, implying that the one created by Flamel was not unique, nor is the method, or believing Voldemort is magically intelligent enough to duplicate the method.[10]
    • Though given that it was said that the stone was the only one of its kind Harry may have said it in the theoretical sense or simply forgot that only one Philosopher Stone ever existed.
  • In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Neville Longbottom calls it the "Philological Stone" ("Sorcerous Stone") in the U.S. edition) when discussing Harry's past achievements.[11][14]

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 33 images related to Philosopher's Stone.

Notes and references