So, the new title is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I'm from Romania, and people here have roughly translated that into something that sounds like "HP and the killer holy men". Which, honestly, sounds completely dumb! I've looked into a webster dictionary, and i found out that Hallow means to sanctify, to make holy, but it also means a cry, a shout of exultation, to shout something... neither of the explanations were holy persons. Also, the explanation for Deathly said, among other things, something indicating death. My question might sound stupid, but can anyone actually tell me what it means? Like explain the title to me... Could it be explained by, let's say, Harry Potter and the cries that remind us of death? or the cries that suggest death? not deadly cries (like the mandrake roots :P) but something like lily's cry that harry hears when he faints... Please help me....
2007-01-04 07:01:02 · 10 answers · asked by broscutza 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
ok, sorry if my question was too confusing for some... anyway, could it possibly be that deathly hallows means deathly cries? just check out a dictionary. Hallow (and not hOllow) has a secondary meaning as "cry, shout". And why would Valley of death make more sense for Romania??
2007-01-04 07:39:26 · update #1
I believe that the title "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is a reference to the Horcrux hunt that Harry must go on before facing Voldemort in their final battle. The definition of "hallows" actually goes beyond the definitions you've already been given, to include the holy relics of saints. Using that definition would make the title quite appropriate, since each Horcrux we've seen has had potential to be deadly to the person who was attempting to destroy it. The diary Horcrux possessed the user, which allowed Voldemort's sixteen year old self to sap the life out of them and strengthen him in the process. The ring Horcrux had a powerful curse on it that attacked Dumbledore when he destroyed it and may have killed him - had it not been for his own vast knowledge of magic and for Snape's quick intervention. The green liquid that was suppose to protect the locket Horcrux seemed to be a slow acting poison, as well as to cause the drinker to experience terrifying hallucinations.
I've also wondered if the title is also a reference to Halloween (the modern name for "Hallowe'en" aka "All Saints' Day") which has been a day of some significance throughout the Harry Potter series so far. Consider that many European cultural traditions hold that Halloween is one of the liminal times of the year when spirits can make contact with the physical world and when magic is most potent (e.g. Catalan mythology about witches, Irish tales of the Sídhe). This fits perfectly into the Harry Potter stories and I think it is no coincidence that Halloween is always a lousy day for Harry; it is the day that Harry's parents were murdered, he encountered the Mountain troll, the basilisk attacked Mrs. Norris - Harry was blamed, it was the day of the first trip to Hogsmeade - Harry wasn't allowed to go and Sirius attacked the Fat Lady - worrying everyone, and the day Harry's name came out of the Goblet of Fire - which put Harry's life at risk and caused Ron to question Harry's trust.
2007-01-04 11:32:01 · answer #1 · answered by Kami 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
With most of the Harry Potter book titles it is difficult to know what they mean until the book comes out. So you can speculate about it but you will most likely have to wait to figure out what it means for certain.
As far as how they got saints from hallows, if you sanctify something you make it holy, which could insinuate making a saint. Is that what is meant by the titel? only time will tell. Many harry potter websites are having wonderful debates on the possible meanings of the title so you may want to look into that to get some ideas on what you think it means.
2007-01-04 07:10:17 · answer #2 · answered by Courtney C 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I looked up Hallow in the online Webster dictionary. It means to make holy devoted or venerate. It's opposite is to desecrate.
When I ran the Microsoft Thesaurus is gave me consecrate or make holy.
Sounds like maybe it is referring to deatheaters or dementors. Possibly Jo is referring to the death eaters as a deadly cult.
It could also be referring to the Horcruxes. I think it makes sense that anything that hold a part of a soul (even ol' Voldy's) could be considered sacred. The fact that the Horcruxes could only be made by killing someone could be the reason for the "Deathly." We also know from HBP that destroying a Horcrux can be dangerous (remember Dumbledore's hand).
Also, James and Lily made their home in Godric’s Hollow, which is quite close to hallow. It would be poetic justice if Voldy died where he killed Harry’s parents.
for book 7 theories and info on the books and movies visit my personal HP site
http://rpccstudent.tripod.com/
2007-01-04 14:20:30 · answer #3 · answered by kellyrv_bsa 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm confused too! By the title, I mean, not your question, which is perfectly clear! I'm American, so I thought the word must be very "British". I looked it up as well, and my dictionary said it also means "eve" as in Christmas Eve, so I thought it might mean "Deathly Eves". "Deathly" is an adjective, and "sanctify" is a verb, so that didn't make sense to me.The only noun listed was "eve", so it made a little more sense, but still, I haven't the foggiest... lol
Oh, and btw, I live in Italy and rumor has it the the Italian traslation will be "Harry Potter and the Deadly Relics". Just thought I'd let you know that other foreign translators are having a tough time translating this title!
2007-01-04 08:00:48 · answer #4 · answered by shamrock 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok, confusing question, first of all. Here's what I thought-Deathly can mean very or utterly, along with all the other meanings people are throwing around out there. Hallows can mean a holy place as well as other meanings. So, my sister and I think it means a very holy place...but then again, that does sound kind of weird for a harry potter title. Just my theory.
2007-01-04 12:19:07 · answer #5 · answered by Aurelia 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The thing is, none of us really knows what the title means. It could be a metaphorical title (like Half-Blood Prince, which wasn't about actual royalty) or a literal title (like Order of the Phoenix, which really was about an order). This title looks like to make more sense once we've read the book.
What some fans do believe it could mean is that 'Hallows' refers to Hogwarts being the land of innocents (and in a sense, holy because of that) which is to be splashed in death during the final battle.
2007-01-04 07:35:31 · answer #6 · answered by starchilde5 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Hallow is also a depression in the landscape, a very shallow valley. So the title is roughly equivalent to Valley of death. A much more applicable title for Romania.
2007-01-04 07:12:18 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Believe it or not i am as confused as you . But her book isnt completely done yet so who knows. At first i thought it meant the hollows or woods. I think Harrys Parents were killed somewhere like that, of course Lilly died in Harrys house but was that their streets name? Oh any way maybe it has to do with the people he is going after when book 6 ended. Maybe that is where Snape went to for protection and help. I cannot wait to read it and to see all the movies but i have such an empty feeling inside thinking of the end of it all.
2007-01-04 07:10:28 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the final book
2016-05-23 03:16:11 · answer #9 · answered by Barbara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea, idk. 2 points for me!!!! u should make ur question LESS confusing., that would help alot!
2007-01-04 07:12:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋