hogwarts houses :: colors

[pauraque_bk]

There's someone around these parts who often talks about being a Slytherclaw, a Slytherin with Ravenclaw tendencies. I was thinking about how I'm the opposite, a Ravenclaw with Slytherin tendencies, and about how this sort of thing is important in the books -- Harry's in Gryffindor, but he *could* have been in Slytherin, etc. And I started getting this image in my head:

The four houses as an abstract visual.


EDIT: Or, based on sedesdraconis's suggestion, a tetrahedron (unfolded here):



So within a house, say Slytherin, you've got four possibilities: pure Slytherin, Slytherin with Ravenclaw traits, Slytherin with Gryffindor traits, and Slytherin with Hufflepuff traits. And there's always a continuum; you could be closer to or further from the borderlines. If Hermione is a Gryffinclaw, she's also near Hufflepuff-like Gryffindor and Slytherin-like Gryffindor. You could put her right in the corner between the three.

Seeing that there are sixteen options made me think of the Myers-Briggs inventory [that page has a title graphic that's interestingly similar to the houses graphic above, but puts less emphasis on a fundamental four-way division]. The houses can perhaps correspond to the four temperaments: Gryffindors as Artisans, Ravenclaws as Guardians, Hufflepuffs as Idealists, and Slytherins as Rationals. But the mapping isn't quite true, since the house system takes into account the traits that you consider the best, or that could be nurtured to help you do well, which are not necessarily the currently dominant traits in your personality. I'm an Idealist, but I'm certainly not a Hufflepuff. Essentially, MB tells you what you are, and the Sorting Hat tells you what you could be.

*

On a somewhat similar note, that color quiz that's going around (gacked from woolf):

you are darkgreen #006400

Your dominant hues are green and yellow. There's no doubt about the fact that you think with your head, but you don't want to be seen as boring and want people to know about your adventurous streak now and again. Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right. Your outlook on life is slightly darker than most people's. You try to see things for what they are and face situations honestly. You'd rather get to the point than look for what's good.

Enter your username to see your friends colors: the spacefem.com html color quiz

wolfie_thu, I'd be particularly interested to hear what you think of this meme.

*

And in left-brain news, I can't spell anymore. I used to spell flawlessly. I was known for it. Now I'm wavering between "publically" and "publicly", and between "unforgivable" and "unforgiveable". For this, dear internet, I blame you.

Comments

[mimine.livejournal.com]

That visual is gorgeous! Interesting thoughts you have there. I was glad to have Hermione say that she was close to ending up in Ravenclaw as well, up to then this duality had appeared as something that only Harry had faced.

[aigooism.livejournal.com]

How interesting... makes one think. :3

[spican.livejournal.com]

The house system is really interesting, and the diagram is beautiful! I don't know the M-B system well enough to comment, but as far as I know it's based on the Jungian elements/personality types? Might it be possible to relate Gryffindor to Fire/Intuitive, Slytherin to Earth/Sensing, Ravenclaw to Air/Thinking and Hufflepuff to Water/Feeling?

If I remember correctly, according to Jungian theory anyone can be a mix of any two or three of the four basic types, but the pairs of Intuitive-Sensing and Thinking-Feeling, respectively, will not cooperate in the psyche, that is, if you're a combination of one of these two pairs, they'll be internally struggling or taking turns dominating your personality, not blending like for instance Intuitive-Thinking or Intuitive-Feeling. And that's not necessarily a bad thing--it can be a very creative combination. (Ooh, I'm all fired up to go read in my favorite Liz Greene books on Jungian astrology now.)

I don't know the first thing about J.K. Rowling, but considering the time she must have spent researching esoteric theory and sources, I wouldn't be at all surprised if she were very aware of this correlation.

Now I'm wavering between "publically" and "publicly", and between "unforgivable" and "unforgiveable".

Ack, I've terrible problems with these two, as well. I hope someone will step in here and settle the question once and for all. :)

[dancing-moon.livejournal.com]

I've always thought the Houses kinda fits the medieval classes of people.
Farmers/Commoners - Hard workers - Hufflepuff
Townspeople ~ Soldiers (this is iffy) - Courage - Gryffindor
Clerics - Mystical, well read (and in that time they were the source of knowledge) - Ravenclaw
Aristocracy - Ambition/leaders - Slytherin

The visual is interesting and I can't help to wonder if it's not so that really strong wizards have to be somewhere in the middle. Dumbledore certainly has Gryffindor-Slytherin tendencies, but he also seems to have a Ravenclaw studiousness hidden (Transfiguration teacher, great wizard, knows Dark arts, Alchemy and what more?) and Harry is, as you said very Gryff/Slyth. Makes one wonder if Voldemort is also hiding something... He could be considered Slyth/Raven, due to is great knowledge of the dark arts perhaps

[mctabby.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, Ravenclaw doesn't get the really brilliant minds: Tom Riddle, Albus Dumbledore, Hermione Granger...

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

I'm sure they've got a few brilliant minds tucked some where. They do have Professor Flitwick, everyone's favorite dwarf-like Charms teacher, after all. The man might be goofy, but I expect charms are a powerful field in magic.

I think we just don't know enough about most of them to know for sure. We don't really get to know much about Cho Chang's or Michael Corner's grade. And Luna Lovegood is in a class of her very own.

[idlerat.livejournal.com]

True. Though Hermione, in addition to being brilliant, is a real (what's that English English word, swot?) which might be the alternative account (to brilliance) of what makes a Ravenclaw.

But I think the point is really that the smartest people don't usually place cleverness above all other values, and maybe that you need more than brains and work to be truly brilliant (e.g. the courage to let your imagination take you to an unconventional place).

[pauraque]

Aristocracy - Ambition/leaders - Slytherin

Someone (ajhalluk?) pointed out that it doesn't make sense for the aristocratically-born to be in Slytherin -- if they're already in power, what need would they have for ambition? I've heard it said that the Malfoys come off as somewhat nouveau-riche, and Snape certainly reads like someone who pulled himself up out of the gutter -- that's what I think of when I think of Slytherin.

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

If that's the case... who would be the old rich? I like to think of the Hufflepuffs as that, simply because its unexpected. Peasentry? Come on, I like to think we Puffs have just a bit more dignity than that. Though I can definitely see the earth/elemental connection the Hufflepuffs seem to have.

Hell, at least the Hufflepuff ideals works with the concept of noblesse oblige! ::grin:: And I love how unexpected it is.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Hufflepuffs as the aristocracy also explains Justin's inclusion -- he's upper class as a Muggle (down for Eton, remember?), he gets into the upper class house at Hogwarts.

And Harry is oblivious to the nuances of it all.

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

Hey... that's true! I completely forgot about poor Justin. Though remember... he is in the Muggle upperclass, not the Wizarding World's one. Maybe Hufflepuffs are then aristocrats in the Muggle sense but considered lower class among wizard? Witness all the "duffer" remarks made by arrogant Griffindoor and Slytherins.

Oh god, so much possible variation! :)

[k2daisy.livejournal.com]

And in left-brain news, I can't spell anymore. I used to spell flawlessly. I was known for it. Now I'm wavering between "publically" and "publicly", and between "unforgivable" and "unforgiveable". For this, dear internet, I blame you.

I hear ya; my spelling is horriffic lousey very bad lately.

However, I don't think we should panic until we misspell "public" as "pubic"...and then we don't catch the error! I think that's the time for a freakout, but not before. Sound good to you? ;-)

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

Now, I once wrote "public" when I meant "pubic," and got into an e-mail discussion with someone over which was worse. He said that "public" pulled him out of a sex scene too jarringly; I said that "pubic" is just plain embarrassing! *g*

Which do you think is the worst mistake?

.m, who has also been mispelling "embarrassing" for years now...

[k2daisy.livejournal.com]

Which do you think is the worst mistake?

"Pubic" is the worst mistake. Just ask my old college roommate, who almost sent in an application outlining her work in "pubic service" to law school. Luckily, back then she had me as her spell-checker, and back then, I could spell. ;-)

I get "embarrassing" wrong a lot too...

[sedesdraconis.livejournal.com]

I used to spell flawlessly.

Me too.

I was known for it.

Me too.

Now I'm wavering between "publically" and "publicly", and between "unforgivable" and "unforgiveable".

Me too! Aaagh.

I like your diagram, but I think perhaps it needs more dimensions. 'Cause if Harry is a very Slytherin-like Gryffindor, than that puts him very near the certain of the chart. But if he's near the center of the chart, he's nearly as close to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff as he is to G&S.

My first two thoughts are "what about a tetrahedron?" and "but oh, that would no longer allow for opposing houses, each house would stand in the same relation each other house."

But, then, would that really be so bad? After all, Godric and Salazar were once best friends. Are they really so different, or do the houses oppose each other so actively because they share an active, competitive nature, but their methods are different?

(Of course the other problem with a tetrahedron is presentation, but ah well.)

[pauraque]

Actually, I'd originally drawn the diagram with Slytherin and Hufflepuff opposing, which makes more sense.

A tetrahedron would work. I edited the post to include an unfolded one that one could print out and fold up if one wanted.

[darkkitten1.livejournal.com]

I love your visuals and their associated theories! I'd be a Gryffinclaw myself, I think, or else land right where Hermione does on the corner with Hufflepuff.

Essentially, MB tells you what you are, and the Sorting Hat tells you what you could be.

Ooh, I like that a lot. Because that is very much the Sorting Hat's concern, not what is, but the future. And these are, after all, kids, who are still very much not yet where they're going.

[trickofthedark.livejournal.com]

That's pretty cool! =)

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

Oh God! I only peeked at your LJ to see if there was an update and it's really late and now I won't be able to sleep for thinking about colours, houses and all the rest. It's brilliant but will take some digesting- I know I'm a lot of Slytherin but not sure where the rest lies. Your new spelling looks decidedly UK English as opposed to USA English, perhaps it's catching?!

[muridae-x.livejournal.com]

And in left-brain news, I can't spell anymore. ... For this, dear internet, I blame you.

Yeah, I hear you. Although actually, I just blame the more international bits of fandom, since my spelling started deteriorating back when my fandom interactions were still paper based and I was as likely to get nitpicked about my paper size (A4 is slightly narrower and taller than standard US paper) as whether I was getting my "ize" and "ise" mixed up or using less double consonants than I used to.

It's all those pesky Americans confusing me! It's not fair! (Of course, I freely concede that in your case it's probably all us pesky users of the British variant of the English language that are doing the damage.)

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, I've noticed that. I see a fair amount of U.S. HP fans who slip from time to time into using British grammar. I do so myself, but as I check things over before posting comments anywhere, I correct them.

[pauraque]

Since I switch back and forth between the different spelling conventions depending on what I'm working on, I do sometimes get confused, particularly with words like travel(l)ed. I'm afraid I can't blame actual British people for this problem; it's my own insistence on using the right spelling for the right fandom. :)

[majinbakahentai.livejournal.com]

it's my own insistence on using the right spelling for the right fandom. :)

Well I personally respect that, getting a HP fic that just doesn't feel British jars a bit.

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

I love your chart! But try though I may, I really cannot think of what a Slytherin with Hufflepuff qualities would be like.

(Though oddly I can think of a Hufflepuff with Slytherin qualities. Maybe a fair person who nonetheless is ambitious and wants to institute Hufflepuff values throughout society?)

So would would one of the former type be like?

[pauraque]

I really cannot think of what a Slytherin with Hufflepuff qualities would be like.

Maybe someone who's ruthless and ambitious in gaining power not only for himself, but for the people he loves as well?

(Though oddly I can think of a Hufflepuff with Slytherin qualities. Maybe a fair person who nonetheless is ambitious and wants to institute Hufflepuff values throughout society?)

Sure, that works. There's also Zacharias Smith, who's a Hufflepuff with Slytherin-like qualities such as suspicion and caution. He certainly serves as a foil to the Gryffindors.

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

A Slytherin who is a tireless activist for justice? I know quite a few fictional detectives and district attorneys that could fit that!

[pauraque]

Indeed! Starting with Jack "Justice Is a By-Product of Winning" McCoy.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

I really cannot think of what a Slytherin with Hufflepuff qualities would be like.

Oh, *that's* easy.

Ambition + cunning + loyalty + stubborness + hard work = Snape.

[wolfie-thu.livejournal.com]

Exactly! I've always thought Snape had a lot of Hufflepuff-ishness in him, which makes me wonder how he treats the Hufflepuff students. Most fanfics that I've seen write Snape as being slightly "nicer" towards the Ravenclaws as he values intelligence, but showing a lot of contempt towards the Hufflepuffs. Perhaps, it might actually be the opposite; he certainly shows no liking of Hermione's know-it-all qualities, and if the Hufflepuff attitude of hard work extends to the classroom, Snape would probably approve of that. (I wonder what would have happened if Snape had been sorted into Hufflepuff instead of Slytherin; the loyalty aspect of it might have been rather helpful for him in regards to the bullying.)

I definitely see myself as a Slytherin with shades of Hufflepuffness...Which is probably another reason why I identify with Snape so much.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Perhaps, it might actually be the opposite; he certainly shows no liking of Hermione's know-it-all qualities,

Hermione isn't what I'd considered Ravenclaw material -- she gets top marks, yes, but that is because she's a *grind*. She overworks herself to get such good marks, and shows little of the wisdom that Ravenclaw is supposed to embody.

Frankly, if Hermione wasn't 1) a Gryffindor and 2) Harry Potter's friend, she'd probably be one of Snape's prize students. Especially since he was a grind himself as a student, at least if the Penseive flashback is anything to go by.

what would have happened if Snape had been sorted into Hufflepuff instead of Slytherin; the loyalty aspect of it might have been rather helpful for him in regards to the bullying.

I'd certainly like to see an AU with Snape in Hufflepuff -- I've only seen a few joke drabbles on this theme. I've seen a lot of fanfics that pose that Snape was almost a Ravenclaw (and few saying he was almost a Gryffindor), but very few that say he might have been in the Badger's House.

Personally, I think Sprout and the rest of Hufflepuff would have been good for him. And he could still have grown up to be the deeply scary person he is today.

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I guess that would be a pretty good fit. It's just that Snape (well... at least as I've seen portrayed) probably wouldn't quite like that comparison. Which really might end up making it more fitting for him!

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Actually, we have no idea what Snape thinks of Hufflepuffs *or* Ravenclaws. Harry has not noticed Snape interacting with them -- in fact, Harry himself has only really talked to one Ravenclaws in OotP.

And Snape seemed pretty happy to see Prof. McGonagal back, so I bet he's *quite* different when he's not dealing with Harry Potter and Co.

I'd be willing to bet that his Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff classes are quiet, organized, and productive. He might actually enjoy teaching them.

[(Anonymous)]

Two ravenclaws.

[pauraque]

Yes, Cho and Luna.

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

Also... what do you all think you are?

Personally I think I'm a Ravenclaw that very much wants to be a Hufflepuff but can't. I love the Hufflepuff values of kindness, honesty, hard work and fairness. But I don't seem to have them. I'm not ambitious at all, so Slytherin is out. And Griffindor bravery? Forget it. But I do read a lot and do well at school.

I think I'm a bit like Neville. I'm just at a default house that's the only thing that'll take me. Ergo, I'm a very pure Ravenclaw indeed. No other house tendencies need touch me!

[(Anonymous)]

Ravenclaw, if Quizilla is to be believed :)

(I do think that's the case, however. Ravenclaw with Slytherin tendencies sounds most like me.)

[pauraque]

darkkitten1 had a house poll here. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ravenclaw holds a large majority. It would be interesting if someone like epicyclical posted a similar poll, since an almost unbelievable number of HP fans follow her journal and would probably vote.

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

Heading over there right now. Thanks for the heads-up!

[majinbakahentai.livejournal.com]

I personally see myself as a ravenesque Gryffindor.

[idlerat.livejournal.com]

Such a pretty picture. And in color meme week too! I'm hot pink... the only person on my list with no blue, me thinks, though they over estimated my optimism (or maybe I did).

Why would the Internet make people worse spellers? It's all written. I've always been a poor speller (though I've gotten much better with age and experience) and I always thought it was because my relationship with words tends to be aural rather than scribal. (I make constant homonym "typos"... here/hear, know/no... not that I don't no the difference, I just type what I here in my head without noticing).

[(Anonymous)]

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<b?Why would the Internet make people worse spellers? It's all written. I've always been a poor speller (though I've gotten much better with age and experience) and I always thought it was because my relationship with words tends to be aural rather than scribal. (I make constant homonym "typos"... here/hear, know/no... not that I don't no the difference, I just type what I here in my head without noticing).</b>

Well, I think one of the main things causing the influence of netspeak is chatrooms, in which there is a strong reason to make your messages as short as possible. I'm a fairly good typist, but I can't type as quickly as I can speak. Since chatrooms are nearly real-time text conversations, there is an incentive to try ways to make it quicker for you to type your messages, and I believe that is the most likely source of the origin of bad spelling and grammar on the internet. And from there, netspeak began to have influence in other areas.

[idlerat.livejournal.com]

I guess... though it doesn't change your *ability* to spell, just because you make a lot of typos typing fast. But I guess it could lessen the value people in general place on spelling (though not Pauraque).

[(Anonymous)]

True, but it does tend to infect people who might otherwise be careful.

[pauraque]

I guess... though it doesn't change your *ability* to spell, just because you make a lot of typos typing fast.

I'd agree with that. I've always been a very fast typist, and of course I make mistakes, but I backspace and correct them without thinking. What I'm talking about is coming to a word I want to use, and having no idea how to spell it.

But I guess it could lessen the value people in general place on spelling (though not Pauraque).

I don't know, I think it cuts both ways, and creates a sort of class division online. Group A doesn't care about spelling, group B sees that and points out they need a spellchecker, the As says the Bs are elitist, the Bs say the As are morons, and so it goes. I'll admit I'm prejudiced against people who spell badly online, though I know there are perfectly intelligent and likable likeable nice people who just can't spell.

[idlerat.livejournal.com]

What I'm talking about is coming to a word I want to use, and having no idea how to spell it.

Yeah, that's what I meant about "ability to spell." But maybe if you read enough misspelled stuff, it does cut into your certainty after a while...

[pauraque]

I always attributed my excellent spelling to constant reading. If you read published material all the time, you get used to seeing words spelled the right way, so if you see them written wrong, you notice it.

my relationship with words tends to be aural rather than scribal.

I'm sure you read as much as I did as a child, but I'm a very visual person, so that's probably why seeing words spelled correctly locked the right visuals in my head.

When you get to the internet, part of it's what our anonymous friend said, that people type fast, and part of it's that there are a lot of people out there who simply can't spell very well, and their text isn't going through a teacher or professional editor before other people see it.

I still read a lot of books, but I read on the internet just as much, so I'm seeing (and subconsciously remembering) a lot of misspellings. Since I learn visually, if I see 'publically' as often as I see 'publicly', of course I'll get confused.

It took a long time for this to happen, as witness the fact that this has only become a problem in recent months. It's *really* frustrating to come to a word and not know how to spell it, and have either way look equally right. This is a new experience for me.

Somewhere I saw a post from a teacher's aide who was complaining that she had the same problem, that after correcting so many papers, she started to make the same mistakes the kids were making.

alpha to omega

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

I think here you've finally answered you original question! I agree entirely. I visualise and have read from an early age so have always spelt impeccably but since spending more time on internet begin to see too many confused spellings and a lot of Americanisms. As a teacher too I often question my own spellings, grammar etc. because I see so much that is incorrect!

[wolfie-thu.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, that's interesting- I don't see you as green at all. (There are very few things that are green with my synaesthesia.) Your name itself is a dusty medium-light pink, and you personality- the little that I know- reminds me of pale purple-grey-silver, that feels/looks as though it was made out of butter...or maybe silk.

I can't get the bit about finding my friend's colours to work, but here's my result anyways:



I definitly identify red with myself, but not so much hotpink. (Though, as that type of pink is often the colour of pain, and as I'm a sadist, I suppose it could work in a sense. Yellow is the colour I most often associate with myself, and not just because my real name (Caitlyn) is yellow.