Wand

> A wand is the object through which a witch or wizard channels his or her magic. It is made from wood and has a magical substance at its core. Wands made by Ollivander have cores of phoenix feather, unicorn hair or dragon heartstring, and are of varying woods, lengths, and flexibilities.
>
> Description of a wand, Pottermore

A **wand** was a quasi-sentient magical instrument through which a witch or wizard channelled their magical powers to centralise the effects for more complex results. Most spells were cast with the aid of wands, but spells could be cast without the use of wands. Although wandless magic was more common in other countries, such as some in Africa, European wizards were generally used to using the tool and found wandless magic more difficult, requiring much more concentration and skill to perform these spells. Template:Object
Some magical creatures such as house-elves and goblins were known to perform magic similar to that used by wizards and, in fact, were forbidden to carry wands. This had been a point of contention between wizards and goblins for centuries.
Wands were manufactured and sold by wandmakers, the most famous of these in Great Britain being Garrick Ollivander, and in Eastern Europe, Mykew Gregorovitch. Each wand consisted of a specific type of wood that surrounded a core of magical substance. Although the wand cores might come from the same creature, or the wood might come from the same tree, no two existing wands were exactly alike. The study of the history and the magical properties of wands was called wandlore. Wands were often buried along or burned when their owner died.

## Magic and wands

Magic with a wand was usually performed with an incantation, but more experienced wizards could cast nonverbal spells, which concealed the spell until cast and might thereby prevent an opponent from adequately protecting him- or herself in time. Wands were referred to as "quasi-sentient" because their being imbued with a great deal of magic made them as animate as an inanimate object could be.
Every single wand was unique and would depend for its character on the particular tree and magical creature from which it derived its materials. Moreover, each wand, from the moment it found its ideal owner, would begin to learn from and teach its human partner.

## Wandlore

> The wand chooses the wizard... it's not always clear why.
>
> Ollivander discussing wandlore with Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Wandlore was a specific class of magic that referred to the history and magical properties of wands. Mr Ollivander claimed that it was a "*complex and mysterious branch of magic*". The idea that a wand chose the wizard and could switch allegiance was a part of wandlore.

The Celtic Tree Calendar had assigned trees to different parts of the year and it sometimes played a part in wandlore. This calendar showed each month and the wood that went with it. Some wands and their owners aligned with the calendar such as: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley (his first wand), and Draco Malfoy. Their wands were made of the wood that was linked to their date of birth. Harry was born between 8 July–4 August, and his wand wood was holly; Hermione was born between 2 September–29 September, and her wand wood was vine; Ron was born between 18 February–17 March, and his first wand was made of ash; Draco was born between 13 May–9 June, and his wand wood was hawthorn.

### Wand woods

Most wands were long, thin rods of wood with a magical substance embedded into their core. Among the woods used were:

Note: The wand woods Mahogany, Rosewood, Snakewood, Sugar Maple and Tamarack possess unknown properties and magical affinities.

### Wand cores

Most wands made by Garrick Ollivander contained one of the three supreme core types, but there were others. Among the substances used were:

## Wand properties

> Wands are only as powerful as the wizards who use them...
>
> Hermione Granger explaining to Harry Potter wand properties, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

 File:Wand shopping.gif
In almost all documented cases, the wand chose the wizard who matched its character because the wizard might have difficulty or be unable to perform magic if his or her wand's characters conflicted, or the magic might be sub-par to magic performed with a matching wand. Although Ollivander said that wizardkind could channel their powers through almost anything, optimum results could only be achieved with those they had a natural affinity for. When trying out different wands, a wand that was not suited to its wielder would usually not do anything at all. However, a warm feeling was an indication of having chosen the right wand, and the wand sometimes emitted a few sparks or did some similar, small sign of magic.

Wands were quasi-sentient: although they could not think or communicate like a human, they could perform certain actions through their own will. This ability may have been how they chose their wizard or witch and also explains Harry's wand's autonomously acting against Voldemort. In addition, some witches and wizards were able to sense their own wand if it was close by, even if they themselves were not holding it.

Interestingly, Ominis Gaunt seemed to use his wand as a means to navigate his surroundings despite his blindness. He could be seen walking around the Castle with his wand held in the air, with it occasionally blinking a red light at the tip.

### Wand lengths and flexibility

> Many wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is a crude measure, and fails to take into account many other, important considerations. In my experience, longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand's length.
>
> Garrick Ollivander regarding wand length and flexibility, Pottermore

Many wandmakers simply matched the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who would use it, but this was a crude measure, and failed to take into account many other, important considerations. Longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tended to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favoured more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility might either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand's length.

Most wands would be in the range of between nine and fourteen inches. While extremely short wands (eight inches and under) and very long wands (over fifteen inches) existed, these were exceptionally rare. In the latter case, a physical peculiarity demanded the excessive wand length. However, abnormally short wands usually selected those in whose character something was lacking, rather than because they were physically undersized (many small witches and wizards are chosen by longer wands).

Wand flexibility or rigidity denoted the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair — although, again, this factor ought not to be considered separately from the wand wood, core and length, nor of the owner's life experience and style of magic, all of which would combine to make the wand in question unique.

### New masters

> Harry looked down at the hawthorn wand that had once belonged to Draco Malfoy. He had been surprised, but pleased, to discover that it worked for him at least as well as Hermione's had done.
>
> Harry Potter won the allegiance of Draco Malfoy's wand, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

 File:Harry disarming Draco GIF.gif
Wands could take new masters. When a wand's master was disarmed, stunned, or killed, the wand might accept the old master's attacker as its new master. It swayed its allegiance over to the wizard who had won it from its preceding owner. Wands with dragon heartstring cores were said to be more likely to change their allegiance, though they would bond most strongly with their original owners.

Most wands were attached to their masters and would not easily discontinue their allegiance with the previous master, if at all. Indeed the original bond seemed unlikely to be severed; if it had been, then a defeated witch or wizard would have been better served to acquire a new wand rather than continue using it because it would have no longer performed at its peak for them — yet they didn't. Furthermore, wands forcibly taken in circumstances of purely competitive or friendly nature or stolen without attacking the previous master would not change allegiance.

A notable exception to this general rule was the Elder Wand, which, according to Albus Dumbledore, only respected power. The Elder Wand would transfer its allegiance even if its defeated master was not in possession of it at the time. No other wand was known to share this trait. The Elder Wand's alliegence could be won as simply as by forcibly taking it from its current master's hand, as Harry Potter did with Draco Malfoy, although it was more frequentely obtained by murder.

### Reverse Spell

A record of all the spells a wand had used could be checked using the Reverse Spell. This was a prime reason why criminals who wished to act discreetly would not use their own wands to perform illegal spells, fearing this record would betray them; instead, they could borrow someone else's wand to act with impunity, letting the other owner take the fall. The record seemed to be rather intricate, as Peter Pettigrew took Voldemort's wand in fear it might reveal his treason, suggesting the wand had such records (such as branding the Dark Mark onto Pettigrew himself).

### Damage and underwater use

 File:Obliviate backfire.gif
Spells and physical damage could irreparably damage wands, destroying or greatly diminishing their magical abilities. Attempts to repair the wand would not be effective, and the wand might break again while performing magic, or even backfire, as was the case with Spellotaped wands.

The only known way to fully repair a broken wand was through mastery of the Elder Wand, although this ability might be lost if the current master died undefeated because most of the wand's power would disappear with them.

In addition, wands seemed to possess the capability to function underwater, although the appearance of spells might change, as was demonstrated when Harry Potter attempted to use a Revulsion Jinx to free himself from the grip of several Grindylows. Harry noted that instead of "sending sparks at the Grindylows", it "pelted them with what seemed to be a jet of boiling water".

## Acquiring a wand

 File:PS Harry getting his wand.gif
Most witches and wizards bought their first wand when they were eleven — just before starting their magical education. Most English wizards and witches bought their wands at Ollivanders in Diagon Alley, where they would try out multiple wands until they found the one that suited them, or rather, the wand found the wizard that suited it. Some witches and wizards, especially those from poorer backgrounds, were left to use wands that had not chosen them but chosen a member of their family: Ron Weasley, for example, used his brother Charlie's old wand when he began his first year at Hogwarts.

### Rights of usage

> The right to carry a wand has long been contested between wizards and goblins.
>
> Griphook a goblin over the right to carry a wand, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The right to carry a wand at all times was established by the International Confederation of Wizards in 1692, when Muggle persecution was at its height and the wizards were planning their retreat into hiding.

In accordance to Clause Three in the Code of Wand Use, non-human beings as goblins and house-elves were prohibited from owning or using wands. For goblins in particular, this prohibition had been a point of contention with the wizarding community and caused some outbreaks of violence. No known formal prohibition existed against Muggles possessing a wand; they would be unable to use them anyway since Muggles didn't possess magic, but a Muggle's possession of a wand could be considered a breach of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.

Any underage wizards or witches who were expelled from school were forbidden from practising magic any further, and their wands had been confiscated and destroyed. Rubeus Hagrid's wand suffered such a fate, though it was somewhat repaired and kept inside his umbrella, and he was allowed to use that much. However, if the student in question was expelled *after* taking the Ordinary Wizarding Level, they were deemed to be full-fledged wizards and might retain their wands. Newton Scamander retained his wand when he was expelled.

Gellert Grindelwald was expelled from Durmstrang, but he managed to maintain his wand (or procure another one), suggesting the wand confiscation may have only applied to Hogwarts students. Of course, any criminals arrested and imprisoned lost their wands as well: Barty Crouch Jnr claimed that he was not allowed a wand since Azkaban; though their wands seemed not destroyed but simply stored away because Bellatrix Lestrange managed to retrieve her old wand after escaping prison.

## Makers

Main article: Wandmaker
 File:Garrick Ollivander.png
The wand was originally a European invention, and although many makers of wands existed, Ollivander was the best known and most experienced in Britain. The wandmaking establishment had been making wands since 382 BC and was in Diagon Alley, London. Mr Ollivander went missing in the summer of 1996 until discovered by Harry, Ron and Hermione and rescued by the house-elf Dobby in 1998; he had been kidnapped by Death Eaters on Voldemort's orders. Ollivander thereafter told Harry about the Elder Wand and how a wand passed ownership. More British wandmakers existed, for example, Jimmy Kiddell, but their wands were stated to be not as good as Ollivander's.

 File:Gregorovitch Deathly Hallows promotional image.jpg
Another notable wand maker was Mykew Gregorovitch, who had once obtained and studied the Elder Wand. Gregorovitch's reputation rivalled that of Ollivander's with some, like Viktor Krum, considering his wands the best in the world. Krum's statement also suggests this view was more common outside of Britain. By 1997 he had retired as a wand maker, with Krum purchasing one of his last wands. In 1997, Voldemort tracked him down, as part of his quest to find and obtain Elder Wand. However, by that time, the wand had long since it had left Gregorovitch's possession, having been stolen by a blond-haired young man that the wand maker had never identified. Once Voldemort finished questioning Gregorovitch, he murdered him as he was of no more use to the dark wizard.

According to legend, Death created the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in existence, from the branch of an elder tree. Albus Dumbledore, however, believed that ***Antioch Peverell*** was more the likely creator.

## Known wands

Snape's wand.jpgSeverus Snape's wandSirius wand.jpgSirius Black's wandPercy Weasley's wand.jpgPercy Weasley's wandProfPomonaSproutWandNN8256.jpgPomona Sprout's wandProfFiliusFlitwickWandNN8262.jpgFilius Flitwick's wandFred weasley wand.jpgFred Weasley's wandGeorge weasley wand.jpgGeorge Weasley's wandArthurWeasleyWandNN8212.jpgArthur Weasley's WandMrsMollyWeasleyWandNN8214.jpgMolly Weasley's wand
## Behind the scenes

 File:Wand 1.jpg
 File:LEGOHPWand.png
* In the films, the wands are shown a couple of inches longer than they are shown in the books. The films seem to include more gestures when using a wand, not just waving it and pointing it. The different styles were shown properly in the film version of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. It may be explained that gestures and wand movements translate to incantations, even without words. This may allow one to speak the incantation without having to perform a specific gesture or wand movement.
* It is theorised that the wand's length is proportional to the wizard's height: the longer the wand, the taller the wizard, and the shorter the wand, the shorter the wizard. Although this pattern is generally supported (eg, Dolores Umbridge's short wand, Rubeus Hagrid's long wand) this may not always be the case. For example, Draco Malfoy, despite being tall, had a relatively short wand. However, J.K. Rowling stated that wands are generally shorter when witches or wizards are lacking in personality, rather than size.
* J. K. Rowling used a Celtic calendar to assign certain types of woods to Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter based on their birthdates.
* Wands are Warwick Davis' favourite prop on the series.

 File:Pottermore wands.jpg
* In the first and second films, wands look quite plain. The appearance of wands drastically change in Template:POA, in which the wands are given distinctive shapes and carvings, reflecting the owner's personality.
* Devon Murray, who plays Seamus Finnigan in the *Harry Potter* films, has the record for breaking the most prop wands. He broke eighty of them. Dan Radcliffe himself broke and damaged almost as many due to his habit of drumming with them.
* J.K. Rowling has said that Muggles cannot use a magic wand, yet residual power stored in a wand may discharge at odd moments, having potentially disastrous effects for a non-wizard. One example of this happening was when, in 1790, Muggle Bartholomew Barebone stole Dorcus Twelvetrees's wand and showed it to many reporters. The wand was said to have "a kick like a mule" when waved. Another example of such behaviour occurred when a Muggle by the name of James Stewart attempted to wave a wand, causing it to "rebel" and send him flying into a tree, knocking him out. This result was described as what "invariably happens when a No-Maj waves a wand".
* Although Harry's wand is known to be made of holly (an almost white wood), his prop wand is significantly darker, suggesting a different wood. However, other wands appear to be varnished or coloured, so this isn't necessarily a break in continuity. Wood is a matte material so most if not all wands in the films have some kind of colour treatment.
* Wands have been used a total of 763 times in the books, according toTemplate:PM.

## Appearances

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* *Harry Potter Official Site*
* *Harry Potter: The Wand Collection*
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## Notes and references

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1. ↑ Template:PM
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Template:HBP
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Template:DH
4. ↑ Template:TBB, pg 104
5. ↑ 24 December 2007 PotterCast Interviews with J.K. Rowling
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Template:WW
7. ↑ https://shop.universalorlando.com/shop/harry-potter/collectibles/interactive-wands/interactive-ollivanders-ash-wand-1272547
8. ↑ https://shop.universalorlando.com/shop/harry-potter/collectibles/interactive-wands/interactive-ollivanders-holly-wand-1272552
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Template:WW
10. ↑ Template:WW
11. ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 Template:PS
12. ↑ Template:DH
13. ↑ *Hogwarts Legacy*, A Basis For Blackmail
14. ↑ Template:HL
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Template:WW
16. ↑ Pottercast 131
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Template:DH
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Template:GOF
19. ↑ Rumours! section of Template:JKRS
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Template:COS
21. ↑ Template:QTA, pg 28
22. ↑ Template:HM
23. ↑ Template:TBB
24. ↑ Template:HBP
25. ↑ Template:OOTP
26. ↑ Extra Stuff at Template:JKRS
27. ↑ Template:DH - Behind the Magic
28. ↑ Template:TBB, pg 83
29. ↑ The Great Wand-o-Graphic from Template:PM