We’ve talked about Sirius a lot this week because of Sirius Day. This brings me to the memory of Sirius Black, Harry Potter. It can even be understood from the names Rowling gave to the characters that she was closely related to astrology and mythology. I used to read the whole series every summer during high school. Since I was unaware of astrology at that time, the names of the characters in the book meant nothing to me. Even so, the masterfully crafted details and wonderfully placed symbols were enough to draw my attention. In this article, we’ll take a look at the names and symbols of the characters in the Harry Potter universe.

Let’s start with my favorite book character, Sirius Black. Obviously, this name is derived from the star Sirius. The Black Family is one of the most prestigious families that prides itself on its pure-blood sorcerer ancestry, each member of which has been Slytherin for generations, and they abhor the hybrid wizards. In this regard, the Black family represents Sirius B. However, when Sirius Black is the only Gryffindor among Blacks, he shocks the family. He can never get along with his family, as he runs away from home at 16 and lives with his best friend, James Potter. So as said, Sirius Black himself does not represent Sirius B, the dark side of Sirius, but his roots do.

Sirius Black is also an animagus, meaning he can transform himself into an animal at will. The animal he transforms into is a black dog, because Sirius is located in the Canis Major Constellation.

Regulus Arcturus Black

Regulus is Sirius Black’s death eater brother. Black Family is very noble as we have noted. Regulus is the Alpha star of the Leo constellation. It represents royalty, nobility and fame. Regulus supported Voldemort from an early age. He even becomes one of Voldemort’s most trusted death eaters and Voldemort tells him the location of one of the horcruxes. Regulus quickly realizes his mistake and wants to correct it, but Voldemort kills him before he can. Nevertheless, the clues he left will prove useful to Harry and his friends later on in the quest to destroy the Horcruxes.

Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix, the sadistic character in the book hated perhaps more than Voldemort. She is sinister just because she enjoys evil. From her choice of this name, we can see that Rowling knows and uses astrology well. Because the Bellatrix is ​​one of the most disliked stars in astrology. It represents the karmic punishments, nothing positive.

In the book, Bellatrix is ​​also from the Black family and Sirius Black’s cousin. Known for torturing her victims, Bellatrix is Voldemort’s most loyal servant and one of the most dangerous death eaters.

Remus Lupin

Perhaps the most courteous character in the book, ironically, is a werewolf. Both his name and surname shout like I am a wolf!

Rowling gave the name Remus after the brothers Remus and Romulus, who founded Rome in Roman mythology and were raised by a she-wolf.

The name Lupine comes from the constellation Lupus. Lupus means wolf in Latin.

Draco Malfoy

The Malfoy family is also descended from the large Black family. The name Draco comes from the Draco Constellation. It means snake or dragon in Latin. A constellation also associated with Slytherin, whose symbol is the serpent.

Although there are many connections to the dark side, the snake is one of the symbols with the deepest meaning. The Slytherin house symbolizes the water element. Mystery, ambition, devotion, cunning and creativity are the characteristics of this house. It’s no coincidence that the most talented dark arts wizards come out of this house.

One of Rowling’s sub-messages is about Slytherin. Nothing is pure good or pure evil. No matter how hopeless the situation may seem, sometimes a Slytherin like Severus Snape can emerge from the darkness and fight for the light on the front line. 😊

Alphard Black

One of the elders of the Black family, a purebred wizard. Although many Black Family names come from stars, Alphard occupies a more significant place. Because Alphard is the heart of the serpent, the alpha of Hydra (Water Serpent), the largest constellation in the sky. Alphard, currently in Leo, is about royalty, nobility, and success. Uncle Alphard left behind a lasting legacy to Sirius Black, becoming one of the few Black family members to support him.

Andromeda Tonks

Bellatrix Lestrange, Andromeda and Narcissa Malfoy are three sisters. Andromeda is the closest galaxy to our galaxy and named after Greek mythology.

In the book, when Andromeda marries a muggle, she is expelled from the Black family. Even her name is erased from the family tree.

Narcissa Malfoy

Draco Malfoy’s mother, another Black, Narcissa is named after Narcissus in Greek mythology.

In the book, whatever Narcissa does, she protects her family and especially her son. In the book, the importance given to mother’s love is seen again in the Battle of Hogwarts. This is when Narcissa changed the fate of war for her son with her choice.

Apart from that, the names of the other characters I have not mentioned here have been carefully chosen. They all reflect their characteristics. Our hero, Harry, is a Leo and has its traits. He leads his friends. He is reckless. His loved ones are very meaningful to him, he is not afraid to risk his life for them. Leo’s dark side is not included in this character, so Harry is far from ego because he knows what true love is.

Speaking of Love and Leo, if I had to summarize the main theme of the book in one word, I would say “love”. Just love. Because Rowling wrote this huge 7-volume series to explain this. Voldemort, the world’s most powerful and darkest wizard, is stopped by a mother’s sacrifice to protect her baby. Because love is much more powerful than dark energies, and that is the one thing Voldemort has not learned and understood. Harry knows that his mother sacrificed herself for him and that love will always live on in him. That’s what Dumbledore always wanted to tell Harry, too. Because he knew Harry would defeat darkness with love. One thing Voldemort didn’t know made him lose the battle, and Harry used only a simple disarming spell!

Love, Vesta.