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Wands have a significant role in mythology, religion, and fiction. They are used to denote power and magic, and are made from wood, bone, or metal. Wands are also used in magical traditions and as ceremonial objects. In fiction, wands are an integral part of wizarding lore, such as in the Harry Potter series. Companies now sell wands as novelty or gift items, with prices ranging from $30 to $80 USD.
A wand is an item with enormous legendary significance, thought to be a source of power and magic. From ancient religious rites to modern ceremonial displays, wands are used to denote a wielder of power. With the incredible popularity of the Harry Potter books and movies, wands have become popular gifts for fans of the books and movies.
Wands are usually made from wood, bone, or metal. In Greek mythology, one of the first wands discussed was the caduceus of Hermes. This short staff with two coiled serpents would become the symbol of modern day physicians. The rod of Asclepius, son of Apollo, was also said to possess the healing power of the gods.
Many ancient religions used specific wands or sticks for ceremonies. They may have originated as wands used by healers or magicians in ancient shamanic rituals. In magical traditions such as Wicca, wands are used as a focus object for power. Staves and staffs, which are longer versions of rods, are also used for a similar purpose and are mentioned several times in the Bible as Moses’ tools.
Wands carry secular symbolism unrelated to supernatural or magical forces. Scepters of kings and queens are a type of ceremonial wand used as a literal symbol of power. Conductors of orchestras also use a baton often called a baton, to indicate their power and position. Even the crosier of senior church officials in some religions is understood as a sign of position, rather than an object imbued with magic or sorcery.
In fiction, wands are an integral part of wizarding lore. In JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, both Gandalf and Saruman use staves to concentrate magical energy and as a source of power. The world of fantasy RPGs such as the Dungeons and Dragons series also has a wand or pole as the primary weapon of wizarding characters.
In JK Rowling’s phenomenally successful Harry Potter series, wandlore is a big part of the plot. Wands in this imaginary world are said to have an affinity with their masters and will work in concert with their owner’s wishes. The search for and actual possession of a legendary wand forms a considerable part of the action of the climactic final book.
Typically, wands are between 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) long and carved or decorated. If you’re using wood, you can use any variety to make a wand. There is an ancient Celtic card that matches certain woods to birthdays; it was using this system that Rowling chose the materials for her main characters wands. Metal or bone wands are harder to find since making them is more complicated, but if you have carving or engraving skills, you can create a unique wand of your own.
Many companies now sell wands as novelty or gift items. While some of these are intended as inexpensive toys for children, others are highly decorated and meant for use in magical rituals or for display. The carved wands range in price from $30 to $80 US Dollars (USD) and make a wonderful gift for any magic enthusiast. For true Harry Potter fans, exact replicas of the heroes’ wands are also available for purchase.
