Harry, Harry Everywhere

[Aiya]

It's a silly title, but it's the first thing I thought of. ;)

This is a little difficult to explain, so please bravely bear my convoluted speech...

I was reading an 'Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages' a few days ago and read the entry on Alchemy with great interest, thinking of HP and the Philosopher's Stone as I read. When I read the last paragraph, I thought I had imagined it, but as I'm not blind, nor prone to hallucinations, I finally accepted what I had read as true.

Quote from the book:

"Alchemists hypothesized the existence of a substance called the 'philosopher's stone' that was thought to have the power to transform base metals into gold, as well as restore youth and vitality...There were a few spurious success stories--such as one about Parisian Nicolas Flanel (1339-1418)--popularly believed during the late Middle Ages, which encouraged alchemists to continue working as well as attracting new initiates."

Perhaps many know this, but it amazed and fascinated me (I love details). :D
I am interested in discovering other facts that relate to HP, so that is what this thread is for: the posting of tiny facts that relate the wizarding world to our own.

[Bridget Chubb]

Wow, that's awesome!:) http://www.khazaddum.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif

Nothing intelligent to add (as usual), just (((((Aiya))))) I'm so glad you're back.:)

I'll try to think of something of substance to add...

[Monkfish]

Nicolas Flanel really existed and Albus Dumbledore says his current age at the end of the film/book.

The age he gives is the REAL age of Nicolas Flanel if he really did invent a Philosopher`s stone!

(Date when book was published / film released)

[Marigold]

That is just totally amazing! Wow JKR really researched those books well!


Hey! I wonder if there is a real mirror of Erised!!:D

[Monkfish]

Originally posted by Marigold
Hey! I wonder if there is a real mirror of Erised!!:D



:) !ylbissoP

[Anarie]

My mirror of Erised is i-net - CoE mostly. Honestly, I spend too much time here! And as it was said in the book, the happiest person will look into the mirror and he'll see only himself, it will be just a mirror for him, nothing more, the same here with CoE, my RL sucks that's why I prefer to spend more time here. As I come to think of it I'm really addicted to CoE.
Oh perfect, now I depressed myself... :(

[Monkfish]

:( :eek: :)

[one.elven.girl]

That is really extremely cool! Just think...!:eek: ;)

[Anarie]

My depression's cool?! Oh, you heartless people... :) :cool:

[Monkfish]

:o :( :eek: :D

[Fleur]

yeah I knew that, but it is still a really cool fact. JK bases a lot of her ideas on legends, and real life happenings.

Her version of Centaurs are closley related to the Mythical ideas, That they will reluctantly deal with humans, that they are experts at Astrology etc.

[Rivenlas]

If ya'll are really super interested in this thread, check out The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter. It has every little thing that JKR could have possibly (Ylbissop, right Monkfish?) could have worked in--it's amazing.

[gamgee's1mellon]

JKR really did do her research or had a lot of luck! So many of the names of people (check out the Names thread here in LIt.) and things mean things that are tied in with the book. An author could've just made up names and no one would've been the wiser, but she took so much time. I almost forgive her for not yet giving us OotP. Almost.....