- What do I mean by magical expressions ?
- In this post, I’ll be researching more about how magical is expressed like artefacts, colour, symbols, effects, spells , etc.
sPELLS IN HARRY POTTER :
- I’m focusing more on the film like appearance of magic like the different type of spells, colour, etc. One big example is Harry Potter,
- As I previously mentioned, Harry Potter served as my inspiration. Since each spell has its own requirements and appearance, I will be exploring deeper into various aspects of each spell. Like the forbidden spells, protective spells and how they came about.
| Spell Type | Purpose | Examples | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charm | Adds effect to an object/person without changing its nature | Wingardium Leviosa | Levitation |
| Hex | Minor spells causing mischief or discomfort | Rictusempra (Tickling Curse) | Tickling |
| Jinx | Minor spell causing inconvenience or bad luck | Locomotor Mortis | Makes someone fall or restricts movement |
| Curse | Serious harmful spell, can injure, control, or even death | Cruciatus Curse (Crucio), Imperius Curse (Imperio), Avada Kedavra | Pain, mind control, instant death |
| Transfiguration | Changes form or appearance of objects/people | Animagus transformation, Teacup → Tortoise | Shape-shifting, object transformation |
| Counter-spell | Reverses or stops other spells | Finite Incantatem, Reparo | Stops ongoing magic, repairs broken items |
| Defensive | Shields or defends against attacks | Expelliarmus | disarms opponents |
| Utility | Special-purpose magic not in other categories | Lumos, | Creates or removes light |
I’ll be focusing more on the unforgivable curses : The Unforgivable Curses are three forbidden Dark spells. Mostly used by Dark witches and wizards, these spells are all very strong. The Killing Curse, Imperius Curse, and Cruciatus Curse are the names of the curses. This is because there is no legal defence for those curses.
Why these curses : I picked specifically these curses because it felt like the most impactful curses within the whole movie because of how dangerous and powerful they were throughout the whole series.
The Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Official Harry Potter Encyclopedia
- Incantation : Avada Kedavra
- Type : Curse
- Purpose : To kill
Avada Kedavra kills the victim on impact, instantaneously and painlessly, usually with a blinding flash of green light. There is no way to block the spell, and there is no counter-curse – it can only be dodged. The Curse leaves a victim’s body completely unmarked, with their final expression frozen on their face.
Harry Potter is the only known survivor of the Curse, having been protected by Lily Potter’s sacrifice – the spell instead rebounded upon the caster, Lord Voldemort.
The Imperius Curse (Imperio)
- Incantation: Imperio
- Type: Curse
- Purpose: To control
Allowing the caster to completely control another’s actions, the Imperius Curse is one of the three Unforgivable Curses and has been outlawed for its use as a Dark Art.
It is possible to resist the Imperius Curse but doing so requires exceptional strength of mind. When under the curse, the subject feels light and free of worries, making it a relatively pleasant experience and even harder to resist. However whilst under the caster’s control, victims can be made to commit crimes such as murder and torture, or even kill themselves.
The Cruciatus Curse (Crucio)
- Incantation : Crucio
- Type: Curse
- Purpose: To torture
Outlawed for its extremely cruel nature, the Cruciatus Curse is one of the three Unforgivable Curses and has been used to torture both wizard and Muggle alike by followers of the Dark Arts. Whilst not fatal in itself, its use can be devastating. The Cruciatus Curse requires the spell caster to really desire the pain that it inflicts and as a result is not an easy spell to perform for most witches and wizards.
Color-related questions :
- Why do some spells have particular colours, such as red for some charms and green for Avada Kedavra?
- I believe this is because its more easier to recognise a certain spell or perhaps it could relate the colour being shown.
- Does a spell’s colour correspond to its intended impact (neutral, protective, or harmful)?
- Again, I think its to symbolise the spell and its intentions
- Could a spell’s colour reveal the strength or purpose of the caster?
- I found a interesting fact where when Snape kills Dumbledore, the light of the killing curse wasn’t as a bright green because he never intended to actually want to kill him. So I believe that intent of the course really matter not just the action. However, this may just also be the movie mistake.
- To what extent do spell colours appear consistently in various magical duels and representations in various media (books, movies, games)?
- It’s interesting because I believe green is usually associated with nature/ good. I like how green in the Harry Potter universe is associated is snakes/ evil and it constantly tries to remind us even through the Slytherin house.
‘Green is the colour of much ‘Dark’ magic; of the ‘Dark Mark’, of the luminescent potion in which Voldemort conceals one of his Horcruxes, of many ‘Dark’ spells and curses, and of Slytherin house. The combination of purple and green, therefore, is suggestive of both sides of magic: the noble and the ignoble, the helpful and the destructive.’ Harry Potter | Colours | Wizarding World
Wands :
- Wands serve as an essential tool in the Harry Potter universe. They give the caster focus and structure, allowing them to transform magical power into spells. Wand design, core material, and wizard-wand compatibility are some of the factors that affect the spell’s effectiveness, colour manifestation, and accuracy. You see it early on in the movie when Harry tries to pick a wand.
I also found it interesting how in order to fully do a spell you have to wave your wand a certain way. It’s another condition to complete a spell.
Potions : Potions are combinations made from ingredients that, when properly created, have a magical effect on the environment or the drinker. Potions depend on exact preparation, timing, and ingredient qualities. Here are some I found interesting:
- Why potion?
- I decided to explore further into potions because I liked how you had to do add certain ingredients in the ccorect time all while stirring it the time time theres alot of conditions / instructuions you have to follow. Even in the series, ‘The brightest witch’ in the era had porblem solving it due to how complex it could get.
Amortentia
- Appearances : Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book/Film)
- Appearance :Mother-of-pearl sheen Spiralling curls of steam
- Uses : To cause infatuation
- Dangers : Can cause obsession
I picked this potion because I found it interesting how it could cause infatuation when love is a feeling that usually cant be replicated by just ingredients. Furthermore, it’s treated more like a joke in the films when it can literally force someone to fall in love whether they want to not. You see in when Ron drink its and turns obsessed
Felix Felicis (Liquid Luck)
- Appearances: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book/Film)
- Appearance : Molten gold in colour, large drops leap over the surface like goldfish
- Uses: Granting the drinker an extraordinary amount of luck for a short spell of time
- Dangers :Can cause dangerous overconfidence
Also known as ‘Liquid Luck’, Felix Felicis was a potion that gave the drinker a spell of luck during which time anything they attempted would be successful. It can be toxic in large quantities and is a banned substance in organised competitions such as Quidditch as a method of cheating.
I picked this potion because I found it interesting that it could be a placebo effect since in the film Ron never actually drank the potion but believing he did he became overconfident and played good anyways. Having more luck that others seems impossible to me as well, it’s like being able to play with destiny and if it really does increase luck, I would assume this potion to be way more sealed away due to it’s ability.
Polyjuice Potion
- Appearance : Thick, dark, mud-like
- Uses: Transforms the drinker into the physical form of another
- Dangers: For human transformations only
A potion that enables the user to take on the appearance of another human.
Spells vs. Potions
Spells: Quickly cast with a wand, and relies on magical ability, concentration, and purpose.
Potions: Need ingredients, preparation, and exact techniques. Instead of using a wand to channel magic, they create it chemically.
Effects & Outcomes
What is the difference in the duration, potency, and length of the effects of spells and potions?
- ‘In the case of some potions, the duration of its effects depended on how expertly it was made, Polyjuice Potion for example lasted anywhere from ten minutes to twelve hours. Other potions, such as Felix Felicis, had a time limit that depended on how much of the potion the drinker ingested.’
Are there potions and spells that accomplish the same thing ?
- Based with what I know, spells and potions can accomplish different tasks in different circumstances, but the effects of a potion might endure longer than those of a spell.
Harrypotter.com. (2025). Harry Potter. [online] Available at: https://www.harrypotter.com/fact-file/spells/the-unforgivable-curses.
Potter, H. (2025). Potion. [online] Harry Potter Wiki. Available at: https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Potion.
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