Why Do Wizards Use Wands?
WITHOUT QUESTION, A WAND IS A wizard’s most
important tool. In Harry’s world, they are made by combining parts
of magical creatures—such as “unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers,
and the heart-strings of dragons”—with staffs of willow, mahogany,
yew, oak, beech, maple, and ebony. Each wand is not only matched to
the personality of the individual, but actually chooses the
wizard.
ANCIENT WANDS
It seems wizards have always used wands. These
sticks—or in some cases large rods—focus magical strength.
Some anthropologists believe that Stone Age cave
paintings showing people with sticks are meant to portray leaders
of the clans holding wands to attest to their power. That is only a
guess, but strong evidence goes back at least
See also: Druids Egypt
to the time of ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphs show priests holding
small rods. In Greek mythology, Hermes, messenger of the Greek
gods, carried a special wand called a caduceus. This is a rod with
wings, around which two serpents are twisted, meant to signify
wisdom and healing powers. Physicians adopted it as their symbol
hundreds of years ago and still use it today.
The Druids had different
wands for each of their seven levels of priesthood.
The Egyptian god Thoth was also pictured carrying
an early version of a caduceus.
See also: Druids Egypt
In the past some wizards have favored wands made
from the elder tree, which is considered especially magical. Those
who practiced dark magic often used cypress, which was associated
with death. However, J. K. Rowling tells us Voldemort’s wand is
made of yew. That also makes sense. The yew has immense
supernatural power. At one time the yew was one of the few
evergreens in Britain, so it has become a symbol of both death and
rebirth—the same immortality Voldemort desperately wants.