Harry Potter Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Harry Potter Wiki
Harry Potter Wiki
20,678
pages
in: Wand cores
English

Changes: Wand core

Back to page
Sign in to edit
(refs shall be completed on another date.)
Tag: Source edit
mNo edit summary
Tag: Source edit
(8 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Spoiler|PAS|WU|HM}}
  
{{Spoiler|PAS|WU|HM}}
 
{{Quote|Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard’s wand.|[[Garrick Ollivander]] telling [[Harry Potter]] about the wand cores used in wands sold at [[Ollivanders]]|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
{{Quote|Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard’s wand.|[[Garrick Ollivander]] telling [[Harry Potter]] about the wand cores used in wands sold at [[Ollivanders]]|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
−
[[File:PottermoreWands1.jpg|252x252px|thumb|Different wands with different cores]]
 +
[[File:PottermoreWands1.jpg|250px|thumb|Different wands with different cores]]
−
[[File:PottermoreWnds2.jpg|251x251px|thumb|Different wands with different cores]]
 +
[[File:PottermoreWnds2.jpg|250px|thumb|Different wands with different cores]]
  ⚫
The '''core''' of a [[wand]] was a [[magic]]al substance placed within the length of wood, usually extracted from a magical [[creature]].<ref name="morecores"/><ref name="PS5">{{PS|B|5}}</ref>
   
  ⚫
Although wand cores varied widely, certain [[wandmaker]]s preferred to use certain materials; for example, [[Garrick Ollivander]] discovered and pioneered the use of [[phoenix feather]]s, [[dragon heartstring]]s, and [[unicorn hair|unicorn tail hairs]],<ref name="PS5"/> whereas his [[Gervaise Ollivander|father]] used lesser substances such as [[Kelpie hair]] and [[Kneazle]] whiskers.<ref name="morecores">{{WW|wand-cores}} [http://lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/8977640199/wand-cores-off-of-pottermore (archive)]</ref>
⚫
The '''core''' of a [[wand]] is a [[magic]]al substance placed within the length of wood, usually extracted from a magical [[creature]].<ref name="morecores"/><ref name="PS5">{{PS|B|5}}</ref>
  
−  
⚫
Although wand cores vary widely, certain [[wandmaker]]s prefer to use certain materials; for example, [[Garrick Ollivander]] discovered and pioneered the use of [[phoenix feather]]s, [[dragon heartstring]]s, and [[unicorn hair|unicorn tail hairs]],<ref name="PS5"/> whereas his [[Gervaise Ollivander|father]] used lesser substances such as [[Kelpie hair]] and [[Kneazle]] whiskers.<ref name="morecores">{{WW|wand-cores}} [http://lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/8977640199/wand-cores-off-of-pottermore (archive)]</ref>
  
   
 
==Properties==
  
==Properties==
−
The core type is known to influence the temperament of the wand produced with it. For example, the wand-maker [[Garrick Ollivander]] will not use [[Veela hair]] for cores because he believes they make for "temperamental" wands.<ref name="GOF18">{{GOF|B|18}}</ref> [[Thestral tail hair]] is also an interesting core - the wand cannot simply be mastered by winning them. It can only be mastered by a witch or wizard who is able to face [[death]], which is why [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] struggled to master the [[Elder Wand]].<ref>[http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=25 Thestral tail hair information]</ref>
 +
The core type was known to influence the temperament of the wand produced with it. For example, the wand-maker [[Garrick Ollivander]] would not use [[Veela hair]] for cores because he believed they made for "temperamental" wands.<ref name="GOF18">{{GOF|B|18}}</ref> [[Thestral tail hair]] was also an interesting core - the wand couldn't simply be mastered by winning them. It could only be mastered by a witch or wizard who was able to face [[death]], which was why [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] struggled to master the [[Elder Wand]].<ref>[http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=25 Thestral tail hair information]</ref>
   
−
When more than one wand has twin cores - meaning they share the same material from the same creature - they are known as brothers and hold greater power when used together. When [[Chadwick Boot|Chadwick]] and [[Webster Boot]] used them as a team, their wands with cores from the same [[Horned Serpent]] increased in power tenfold.<ref name="ilvermorny"/> However, when they are used in conflict with another, the connecting spells create [[Reverse Spell|''Priori Incantatem'']], as seen when the wands of [[Harry Potter]] and [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]], which both had cores comprised of a feather from [[Fawkes]], [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s [[phoenix]], connected.<ref name="GOF36">{{GOF|B|36}}</ref>
 +
When more than one wand had twin cores - meaning they shared the same material from the same creature - they were known as brothers and held greater power when used together. When [[Chadwick Boot|Chadwick]] and [[Webster Boot]] used them as a team, their wands with cores from the same [[Horned Serpent]] increased in power tenfold.<ref name="ilvermorny"/> However, when they were used in conflict with another, the connecting spells created [[Reverse Spell|''Priori Incantatem'']], as seen when the wands of [[Harry Potter]] and [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]], which both had cores comprised of a feather from [[Fawkes]], [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s [[phoenix]], connected.<ref name="GOF36">{{GOF|B|36}}</ref>
   
−
[[Ollivander's]] shop in [[Diagon Alley]] has changed the way that wands are created. Before [[Garrick Ollivander]]'s practice of using only the three "[[Supreme Cores]]", it was common for witches and wizards to present a [[wandmaker]] with a magical substance to which they had a particular attachment for use as a wand core.<ref name="morecores"/>
 +
[[Ollivander's]] shop in [[Diagon Alley]] had changed the way that wands were created. Before [[Garrick Ollivander]]'s practice of using only the three "[[Supreme Cores]]", it was common for witches and wizards to present a [[wandmaker]] with a magical substance to which they had a particular attachment for use as a wand core.<ref name="morecores"/>
   
 
However, when Garrick watched his father, [[Gervaise Ollivander]], struggle with substandard wand cores such as [[Kneazle]] whiskers, [[Dittany]] stalks, or [[Kelpie]] [[Kelpie hair|manes]], he decided to devote his time to studying the finest wand cores.<ref name="ollivander">{{WW|mr-ollivander}}</ref>
  
However, when Garrick watched his father, [[Gervaise Ollivander]], struggle with substandard wand cores such as [[Kneazle]] whiskers, [[Dittany]] stalks, or [[Kelpie]] [[Kelpie hair|manes]], he decided to devote his time to studying the finest wand cores.<ref name="ollivander">{{WW|mr-ollivander}}</ref>
Line 21: Line 20:
 
|- bgcolor="#cccccc"
  
|- bgcolor="#cccccc"
 
! align="center" width="25%" |Core
  
! align="center" width="25%" |Core
−
! align="center" width="50%" |Wands These Cores are Used in:
 +
! align="center" width="50%" |Wands these cores are used in
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Dragon]] [[Dragon heartstring|heartstring]]
 +
|[[Dragon heartstring]]
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Hermione Granger]]'s [[Hermione Granger's wand|wand]]
  
*[[Hermione Granger]]'s [[Hermione Granger's wand|wand]]
Line 43: Line 42:
 
*[[Beechwood and dragon heartstring wand|A beechwood wand made by Garrick Ollivander]]
  
*[[Beechwood and dragon heartstring wand|A beechwood wand made by Garrick Ollivander]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Phoenix]] [[Phoenix feather|feather]]
 +
|[[Phoenix feather]]
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Harry Potter]]'s [[Harry Potter's wand|wand]]<ref name="PS5"/>
  
*[[Harry Potter]]'s [[Harry Potter's wand|wand]]<ref name="PS5"/>
Line 50: Line 49:
 
*[[Celestina Warbeck]]'s [[Celestina Warbeck's wand|wand]]
  
*[[Celestina Warbeck]]'s [[Celestina Warbeck's wand|wand]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Unicorn]] [[Unicorn hair|tail hair]]
 +
|[[Unicorn hair|Unicorn tail hair]]
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Mary Cattermole]]'s [[Mary Cattermole's wand|wand]]<ref name="DH13">{{DH|B|13}}</ref>
  
*[[Mary Cattermole]]'s [[Mary Cattermole's wand|wand]]<ref name="DH13">{{DH|B|13}}</ref>
Line 59: Line 58:
 
*[[Quirinus Quirrell]]'s [[Quirinus Quirrell's wand|wand]]
  
*[[Quirinus Quirrell]]'s [[Quirinus Quirrell's wand|wand]]
 
*[[Sybill Trelawney]]'s [[Sybill Trelawney's wand|wand]]
  
*[[Sybill Trelawney]]'s [[Sybill Trelawney's wand|wand]]
−
*[[Charles Weasley|Charlie Weasley]]'s [[Ronald Weasley's first wand|first wand]]
 +
*[[Charles Weasley|Charlie Weasley]]'s [[Charles Weasley's wand|wand]]<ref name="PS6">{{PS|B|6}}</ref>
−
*[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]'s [[Ronald Weasley's wands|wands]]
 +
*[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]'s [[Ronald Weasley's second wand|second wand]]<ref name="POA4">{{POA|B|4}}</ref>
 
*[[Penny Haywood]]'s [[Penny Haywood's wand|wand]]<ref name="HM"/>
  
*[[Penny Haywood]]'s [[Penny Haywood's wand|wand]]<ref name="HM"/>
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Veela]] [[Veela hair|hair]]
 +
|[[Veela hair]]
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Fleur Delacour]]'s [[Fleur Delacour's wand|wand]]<ref name="GOF18"/>
  
*[[Fleur Delacour]]'s [[Fleur Delacour's wand|wand]]<ref name="GOF18"/>
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Thestral]] [[Thestral tail hair|tail hair]]
 +
|[[Thestral tail hair]]
 
|
  
|
−
*The [[Elder Wand]]
 +
*The [[Elder Wand]]<ref name="JKRS">{{JKRS}}</ref>
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Troll]] [[Troll whisker|whisker]]
 +
|[[Troll whisker]]
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Cadogan]]'s [[Cadogan's wand|wand]]<ref name="cadogan">{{WW|sir-cadogan}}</ref>
  
*[[Cadogan]]'s [[Cadogan's wand|wand]]<ref name="cadogan">{{WW|sir-cadogan}}</ref>
Line 82: Line 81:
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
|[[Thunderbird tail feather]]<ref name="NA">{{PM}} - "[https://www.pottermore.com/collection-episodic/history-of-magic-in-north-america-en History of Magic in North America: 1920s Wizarding America]"</ref>
−
|[[Thunderbird]] [[Thunderbird tail feather|tail feather]]
  
⚫
<ref name="NA">{{PM}} - "[https://www.pottermore.com/collection-episodic/history-of-magic-in-north-america-en History of Magic in North America: 1920s Wizarding America]"</ref>
  
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Wampus cat]] [[Wampus cat hair|hair]]
 +
|[[Wampus cat hair]]<ref name="NA" /><ref name="ilvermorny" />
−
<ref name="NA" /><ref name="ilvermorny" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[White River Monster]] [[White River Monster spine|spine]]
 +
|[[White River Monster spine]]<ref name="NA" />
−
<ref name="NA" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Rougarou]] [[Rougarou hair|hair]]
 +
|[[Rougarou hair]]<ref name="NA" />
−
<ref name="NA" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Seraphina Picquery]]'s [[Seraphina Picquery's wand|wand]]<ref name="NA" />
  
*[[Seraphina Picquery]]'s [[Seraphina Picquery's wand|wand]]<ref name="NA" />
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Horned Serpent]] [[Horned Serpent horn|horn]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
 +
|[[Horned Serpent horn]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Chadwick Boot]]'s [[Chadwick Boot's wand|wand]]
  
*[[Chadwick Boot]]'s [[Chadwick Boot's wand|wand]]
 
*[[Webster Boot]]'s [[Webster Boot's wand|wand]]
  
*[[Webster Boot]]'s [[Webster Boot's wand|wand]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Snallygaster]] [[Snallygaster heartstring|heartstring]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
 +
|[[Snallygaster heartstring]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Jackalope antler]]
 +
|[[Jackalope antler]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
−
<ref name="ilvermorny" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Kneazle]] whisker
 +
|[[Kneazle]] whisker<ref name="wandpermit">{{see image|File:Wand Permit - full.png}}</ref>
−
<ref name="wandpermit">{{see image|File:Wand Permit - full.png}}</ref>
  
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Kelpie]] [[Kelpie hair|hair]]
 +
|[[Kelpie hair]]<ref name="wandpermit" />
−
<ref name="wandpermit" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Basilisk]] [[Basilisk horn|horn]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
 +
|[[Basilisk horn]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Salazar Slytherin]]'s [[Salazar Slytherin's wand|wand]] (passed down to his descendants)
  
*[[Salazar Slytherin]]'s [[Salazar Slytherin's wand|wand]] (passed down to his descendants)
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Curupira hair]]
 +
|[[Curupira hair]]<ref>https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1243304120389427201</ref>
−
<ref>https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1243304120389427201</ref>
  
 
|
  
|
 
|}
  
|}
Line 131: Line 122:
 
{| class="wikitable" border="1" width="75%"
  
{| class="wikitable" border="1" width="75%"
 
|- bgcolor="#cccccc"
  
|- bgcolor="#cccccc"
−
! align="center" width="15%" |Core Material
 +
! align="center" width="15%" |Core material
−
! align="center" width="30%" |Known Wand-maker to use it
 +
! align="center" width="30%" |Known wand-maker to use it
−
! align="center" width="30%" |Known Characteristics
 +
! align="center" width="30%" |Known characteristics
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Dragon heartstring]]
  
|[[Dragon heartstring]]
Line 139: Line 130:
 
*[[Garrick Ollivander]]
  
*[[Garrick Ollivander]]
 
*[[Mykew Gregorovitch|Gregorovitch]]
  
*[[Mykew Gregorovitch|Gregorovitch]]
−
|Powerful, easy to learn spells though can easily be committed to another owner
 +
|Powerful and easy to learn spells, though could easily be committed to another owner
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Phoenix feather]]
  
|[[Phoenix feather]]
 
|
  
|
 
*Garrick Ollivander
  
*Garrick Ollivander
−
|Learns most varied magic, hard to be chosen
 +
|Learned most varied magic, hard to be chosen
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Unicorn hair|Unicorn tail hair]]
  
|[[Unicorn hair|Unicorn tail hair]]
 
|
  
|
 
*Garrick Ollivander
  
*Garrick Ollivander
−
|Consistent magic, bonds strongly to first user
 +
|Consistent magic, bonded strongly to first user
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Veela hair]]
  
|[[Veela hair]]
Line 175: Line 166:
 
|[[Koralle|Coral]]
  
|[[Koralle|Coral]]
 
|
  
|
  +
*[[Mykew Gregorovitch|Gregorovitch]]
−
*[http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Mykew_Gregorovitch Gregorovitch]
  
 
|Unknown
  
|Unknown
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Thunderbird tail feather]]
 +
|[[Thunderbird tail feather]]<ref name="NA" />
−
<ref name="NA" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Shikoba Wolfe]]
  
*[[Shikoba Wolfe]]
−
|Powerful, but difficult to master, particularly prized by Transfigurers. Can sense danger and cast curses on their own.
 +
|Powerful, but difficult to master, particularly prized by Transfigurers. Could sense danger and cast curses on their own.
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Wampus cat hair]]
 +
|[[Wampus cat hair]]<ref name="NA" /><ref name="ilvermorny">{{WW|ilvermorny}}</ref>
−
<ref name="NA" /><ref name="ilvermorny">{{WW|ilvermorny}}</ref>
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Johannes Jonker]]
  
*[[Johannes Jonker]]
−  
 
*[[Isolt Sayre]]
  
*[[Isolt Sayre]]
 
*[[James Steward]]
  
*[[James Steward]]
 
|Unknown
  
|Unknown
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[White River Monster spine]]
 +
|[[White River Monster spine]]<ref name="NA" />
−
<ref name="NA" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Thiago Quintana]]
  
*[[Thiago Quintana]]
−
|Produces [[spell]]s of force and elegance
 +
|Produced [[spell]]s of force and elegance
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Rougarou hair]]
 +
|[[Rougarou hair]]<ref name="NA" />
−
<ref name="NA" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Violetta Beauvais]]
  
*[[Violetta Beauvais]]
−
|Rumoured to have an affinity for Dark magic, although suitable for use by non-Dark wizards and witches as well
 +
|Rumoured to have had an affinity for dark magic, although suitable for use by non-dark wizards and witches as well
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Horned Serpent horn]]
 +
|[[Horned Serpent horn]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
−
<ref name="ilvermorny" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Isolt Sayre]]
  
*[[Isolt Sayre]]
 
*[[James Steward]]
  
*[[James Steward]]
−
|Exceptionally powerful and sensitive to [[Parseltongue]]. Can warn its owner of danger by emitting a low musical tone.
 +
|Exceptionally powerful and sensitive to [[Parseltongue]]. Could warn its owner of danger by emitting a low musical tone.
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Snallygaster heartstring]]
 +
|[[Snallygaster heartstring]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
−
<ref name="ilvermorny" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Isolt Sayre]]
  
*[[Isolt Sayre]]
Line 219: Line 203:
 
|Unknown
  
|Unknown
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Jackalope antler]]
 +
|[[Jackalope antler]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
−
<ref name="ilvermorny" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Isolt Sayre]]
  
*[[Isolt Sayre]]
Line 226: Line 209:
 
|Unknown
  
|Unknown
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Basilisk horn]]
 +
|[[Basilisk horn]]<ref name="ilvermorny" />
−
<ref name="ilvermorny" />
  
 
|
  
|
 
*[[Salazar Slytherin]]
  
*[[Salazar Slytherin]]
−
|Unknown, presumably has an affinity for the [[Dark Arts]].
 +
|Unknown, presumably had an affinity for the [[Dark Arts]].
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Curupira hair]]
  
|[[Curupira hair]]
 
|
  
|
−
|Unstable, has an affinity for powerful yet unpredictable wizards
 +
|Unstable, had an affinity for powerful yet unpredictable wizards
 
|}
  
|}
   
 
==Price==
  
==Price==
−
All wands sold by [[Garrick Ollivander]] cost seven galleons, regardless of core or wood.<ref name="PM2">{{PM}} (Wand selection ceremony)</ref> [[Unicorn hair|Unicorn tail hair]], however, is worth ten galleons a hair,<ref name="PM">{{PM}} ([http://www.pottermore.com/en/diagon-alley/apothecary/unicorn-tail-hair/2 Apothecary: Unicorn Tail Hair])</ref> as confirmed by [[Horace Slughorn]] in [[1996]]. In [[1926]], wands sold by [[Shikoba Wolfe]] cost five [[dragot]]s.
 +
All wands sold by [[Garrick Ollivander]] cost seven galleons, regardless of core or wood.<ref name="PM2">{{PM}} (Wand selection ceremony)</ref> [[Unicorn hair|Unicorn tail hair]], however, was worth ten galleons a hair,<ref name="PM">{{PM}} ([http://www.pottermore.com/en/diagon-alley/apothecary/unicorn-tail-hair/2 Apothecary: Unicorn Tail Hair])</ref> as confirmed by [[Horace Slughorn]] in [[1996]]. In [[1926]], wands sold by [[Shikoba Wolfe]] cost five [[dragot]]s.
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
Line 254: Line 236:
 
*{{PS}} {{1st}}
  
*{{PS}} {{1st}}
 
*{{PS|G}} {{Mention}}
  
*{{PS|G}} {{Mention}}
  +
*{{POA}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{GOF}} {{Mention}}
  
*{{GOF}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{HBP}} {{Mention}}
  
*{{HBP}} {{Mention}}
Line 263: Line 246:
 
*{{PM}}
  
*{{PM}}
 
*{{WW}}
  
*{{WW}}
  +
*{{JKRS}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{WWHP}} {{Mention}}
  
*{{WWHP}} {{Mention}}
 
*{{HPK}} {{Mention}}
  
*{{HPK}} {{Mention}}
Line 275: Line 259:
 
[[es:Núcleo de varita]]
  
[[es:Núcleo de varita]]
 
[[pt-br:Núcleo de varinha]]
  
[[pt-br:Núcleo de varinha]]
  +
[[pl:Rdzeń różdżki]]
 
[[ru:Сердцевина для палочек]]
  
[[ru:Сердцевина для палочек]]
 
[[Category:Wand cores]]
  
[[Category:Wand cores]]

Revision as of 07:22, 16 August 2021

Hand pointing right transparent Warning!

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

"Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard’s wand."
— Garrick Ollivander telling Harry Potter about the wand cores used in wands sold at Ollivanders[src]
PottermoreWands1

Different wands with different cores

PottermoreWnds2

Different wands with different cores

The core of a wand was a magical substance placed within the length of wood, usually extracted from a magical creature.[1][2]

Although wand cores varied widely, certain wandmakers preferred to use certain materials; for example, Garrick Ollivander discovered and pioneered the use of phoenix feathers, dragon heartstrings, and unicorn tail hairs,[2] whereas his father used lesser substances such as Kelpie hair and Kneazle whiskers.[1]

Properties

The core type was known to influence the temperament of the wand produced with it. For example, the wand-maker Garrick Ollivander would not use Veela hair for cores because he believed they made for "temperamental" wands.[3] Thestral tail hair was also an interesting core - the wand couldn't simply be mastered by winning them. It could only be mastered by a witch or wizard who was able to face death, which was why Voldemort struggled to master the Elder Wand.[4]

When more than one wand had twin cores - meaning they shared the same material from the same creature - they were known as brothers and held greater power when used together. When Chadwick and Webster Boot used them as a team, their wands with cores from the same Horned Serpent increased in power tenfold.[5] However, when they were used in conflict with another, the connecting spells created Priori Incantatem, as seen when the wands of Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, which both had cores comprised of a feather from Fawkes, Albus Dumbledore's phoenix, connected.[6]

Ollivander's shop in Diagon Alley had changed the way that wands were created. Before Garrick Ollivander's practice of using only the three "Supreme Cores", it was common for witches and wizards to present a wandmaker with a magical substance to which they had a particular attachment for use as a wand core.[1]

However, when Garrick watched his father, Gervaise Ollivander, struggle with substandard wand cores such as Kneazle whiskers, Dittany stalks, or Kelpie manes, he decided to devote his time to studying the finest wand cores.[7]

Known core materials

Core Wands these cores are used in
Dragon heartstring
Phoenix feather
Unicorn tail hair
Veela hair
Thestral tail hair
Troll whisker
Coral
Dittany Stalk
Thunderbird tail feather[18]
Wampus cat hair[18][5]
White River Monster spine[18]
Rougarou hair[18]
Horned Serpent horn[5]
Snallygaster heartstring[5]
Jackalope antler[5]
Kneazle whisker[19]
Kelpie hair[19]
Basilisk horn[5]
Curupira hair[20]

Characteristics of wand core materials

Core material Known wand-maker to use it Known characteristics
Dragon heartstring Powerful and easy to learn spells, though could easily be committed to another owner
Phoenix feather
  • Garrick Ollivander
 Learned most varied magic, hard to be chosen
Unicorn tail hair
  • Garrick Ollivander
 Consistent magic, bonded strongly to first user
Veela hair Temperamental
Kneazle whisker Not very powerful
Dittany stalk Unknown
Kelpie hair
  • Gervaise Ollivander
 Easily obtainable, frequently used in the past
Thestral tail hair
  • Antioch Peverell
 Not easily seen
Coral Unknown
Thunderbird tail feather[18] Powerful, but difficult to master, particularly prized by Transfigurers. Could sense danger and cast curses on their own.
Wampus cat hair[18][5] Unknown
White River Monster spine[18] Produced spells of force and elegance
Rougarou hair[18] Rumoured to have had an affinity for dark magic, although suitable for use by non-dark wizards and witches as well
Horned Serpent horn[5] Exceptionally powerful and sensitive to Parseltongue. Could warn its owner of danger by emitting a low musical tone.
Snallygaster heartstring[5] Unknown
Jackalope antler[5] Unknown
Basilisk horn[5] Unknown, presumably had an affinity for the Dark Arts.
Curupira hair Unstable, had an affinity for powerful yet unpredictable wizards

Price

All wands sold by Garrick Ollivander cost seven galleons, regardless of core or wood.[21] Unicorn tail hair, however, was worth ten galleons a hair,[22] as confirmed by Horace Slughorn in 1996. In 1926, wands sold by Shikoba Wolfe cost five dragots.

See also

Behind the scenes

  • It is thought by some that Thestral hair makes for a unique personality; completely dispassionate about its allegiance and showing no emotion towards the wizard, tying in with the many changes of hands that the Elder Wand (the only known Thestral hair wand in existence) has been through. It is also a wand that has been the instrument of death many times over, which some also believe is connected to its Thestral hair core (possibly inspiring murder in the heart of its beholder(s), since Thestrals have a strong connection to death, as does the origin of the wand itself). However, the many changes of allegiance that the Elder Wand has had as well as its history of winning through murder may be simply a reflection on the nature of power itself, and the means people are willing to sink to in order to attain it.
  • It should be noted that, concerning the wands of the Trio (Harry, Ron, and Hermione), each wand has one of the three different cores used by Ollivander: Harry's wand has a phoenix feather, Ron's wands (both his first and second) have a unicorn hair and Hermione's wands (both hers and Bellatrix's) have a dragon heartstring.
  • Out of all the wand cores, the Dragon Heartstring is the core of more character wands, with the Unicorn Tail Hair Core in second place, with the Dragon Heartstrings residing inside ten character wands and Unicorn Hair residing inside nine character wands.

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Wand Cores" at Wizarding World (archive)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 18 (The Weighing of the Wands)
  4. ↑ Thestral tail hair information
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" at Wizarding World
  6. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 36 (The Parting of the Ways)
  7. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Mr Ollivander" at Wizarding World
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 24 (The Wandmaker)
  9. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 1 (The Dark Lord Ascending)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
  11. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
  12. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 13 (The Muggle-Born Registration Commission)
  13. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 7 (The Slug Club)
  14. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 6 (The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters)
  15. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 4 (The Leaky Cauldron)
  16. ↑ J. K. Rowling's official site
  17. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Sir Cadogan" at Wizarding World
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 Pottermore - "History of Magic in North America: 1920s Wizarding America"
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 (see this image)
  20. ↑ https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1243304120389427201
  21. ↑ Pottermore (Wand selection ceremony)
  22. ↑ Pottermore (Apothecary: Unicorn Tail Hair)
Deutsch Español Polski Português do Brasil Русский
*Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, Fandom will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms