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Do you know what Harry Potter’s scar is? It’s a question that many people have asked, and it’s something that has been the topic of much discussion among fans of the Harry Potter series. It is one of the most famous scars in the world, and for a good reason. It has a fascinating story behind it.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything about Harry Potter’s scar. We will talk about what it is, how it was formed, and the connection between Voldemort and Harry. We will explain everything you need to know about this iconic scar!
What Is Harry’s Scar?
Harry Potter’s scar is a lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. It is the result of a curse cast on him by Lord Voldemort when he was just a tiny baby. On the 31st of October 1981, Lord Voldemort struck Harry with the worst of the unforgivable curses – the Killing Curse. This curse should have killed Harry instantly, but for some reason, it didn’t. Instead, it left a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt.
This terrible curse, which had killed both of Harry’s parents just moments before, doesn’t usually leave survivors. In fact, Harry is the only known survivor of this curse because of his mother’s selfless act of love. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry, his mother, Lily Potter, stepped in front of him and took the curse herself. This protection saved Harry’s life while simultaneously destroying (one of) Voldemorts.
Unknown to Voldemort, the attack also inadvertently made Harry a Horcrux. After the curse rebounded, a piece of Voldemort’s soul was left in the building. This piece of soul latched itself onto the only living thing it could find – Harry. Hence why, his scar is special in more ways than one.
Why Is Harry’s Scar Lightning-Shaped?
There are many theories of why Harry’s scar is shaped like a lightning bolt. However, the most popular theory is that it is a physical manifestation of the power of the Killing Curse. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry, the curse was so powerful that it left a physical scar on his forehead.
However, you may be thinking if there’s a real-world explanation for why Harry’s scar is shaped like a bolt of lightning – and there is.
The scar is shaped like lightning because the wand movement used to cast the Avada Kedavra curse is the same shape – like a lightning bolt. So, the scar is a literal symbol of the curse. As if Voldemort carved it onto his forehead with tracing paper!
Think about it – if you scrape your arm along a fence or accidentally cut your finger with a knife while making dinner, the wound will be the same shape as the movement used to create the injury. Well, it’s the exact same thing with Harry’s scar, except Voldemort’s wand didn’t actually have to touch Harry’s head to leave the mark.
The obvious conclusion is that, while the spell rebounded on Voldemort, the minor wound it inflicted perfectly mirrored his usage of magic to cast it.
And for a bonus reason – it’s just cool! How many scars do you get (especially from terrifying near-death experiences) that actually look cool? Not many! The lightning bolt-shaped scar is a pretty cool reminder of Harry’s first encounter with the Dark Lord. Furthermore, even JK Rowling has admitted that she wanted the hero of the series to look a little bit badass.
Why Does It Cause Him Pain?
But, of course, the scar actually causes Harry a lot of trouble throughout the series despite looking badass. Harry’s scar is connected to Voldemort in a very special way – it hurts whenever the Dark Lord is close by or feeling particularly powerful emotions.
As we mentioned before, this happens because Harry is technically a Horcrux. This means that he has a piece of Voldemort’s soul inside him. So, when Voldemort strongly feels pain or happiness or anything else, Harry feels it.
As the events of the books manifested and Harry was able to see more and more of what Voldemort was up to, it became clear to Albus Dumbledore and Harry that the scar was a link between Voldemort’s mind and Harrys’.
The connection between them is so strong that, at one point in the series, Voldemort is actually able to use Harry’s scar as a way to control and manipulate him. He uses Legilimency – a form of magic that allows the user to enter another person’s mind – on Harry’s scar without even being in the same room as him.
Voldemort is able to cause Harry pain through his scar because of this strong connection between them. It’s like if you have a large splinter, or a shard of glass wedged in your finger – even though the glass is not actually part of your body, it still causes you pain because it’s lodged in there. In the same way, Voldemort’s soul fragment causes Harry pain which manifests itself through his scar – the reason for the soul being there.
The Connection Between Harry and Voldemort
Throughout the series, the link between Harry and Voldemort grew stronger. Once Voldemort was reborn, Harry’s scar began hurting more and more frequently.
Interestingly, the pains that Harry experiences in his scar are not always just random twinges of discomfort. Sometimes, they actually foreshadow events that are about to happen, and Harry is able to see directly into Voldemort’s mind. For example, in the Goblet of Fire, Harry is able to see what Voldemort is up to in his dreams, and, in the Order of the Phoenix, Harry is able to witness Nagini’s attack on Arthur Weasley.
Of course, even though they were uncomfortable, while Voldemort was unaware of these connections, the visions were actually quite useful. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the vision he saw of Arthur Weasley, Arthur would likely have died. However, once Voldemort became aware of the connection and the things Harry could see, it became a little more problematic.
In the Order of the Phoenix, Harry was then tricked into believing that his godfather had been tortured with the Cruciatus Curse by Voldemort, who used the link between their minds to send him a false vision. This led Harry to the Department of Mysteries and an almighty battle between Death Eaters and The Order, and, unfortunately, Sirius was killed.
As such, the connection between Harry and Voldemort can be used to save lives just as easily as it can be used to ultimately lose them. It just depends on whether or not Voldemort is in control of the vision.
Was the Link Destroyed?
Despite Harry’s failed attempt at learning Occlumency (the ability to shield what Voldemort is able to implant in his mind), after the incident at the Department of Mysteries, he does eventually gain more control over what Voldemort can and can’t do with his mind. This is partly due to the pain Voldemort experienced when he tried to possess Harry.
Harry’s grieving thoughts of his lost godfather were too painful for Voldemort to bear. Dumbledore theorized that he would not attempt to penetrate Harry’s mind again for fear of what he would discover there.
Nonetheless, while searching for Horcruxes with Ron and Hermione, Harry is subjected to a series of visions from Voldemort that become increasingly difficult to push out of his mind. This is how he knows that Voldemort is hunting the Elder Wand – because he sees him questioning Ollivander and Grindelwald in one of his visions.
During these difficult times, Harry begins to realize that he can use the connection between himself and Voldemort to his advantage. He starts deliberately trying to see into Voldemort’s mind to discover his plans and predict his next move. This is how he was able to see that Voldemort was in the Shrieking Shack during the Deathly Hallows and learns that he is, in fact, a Horcrux. He must die in order to kill Voldemort.
Because Harry saw this, he willingly goes to his own death to save everyone else. However, the killing curse only destroyed the portion of Voldemort’s soul that was within Harry, severing their connection for good. Harry survived Voldemort’s Killing Curse yet again and was able to defeat Voldemort once and for all.
So, while the connection between Harry and Voldemort is often seen as a curse, it could also be viewed as a blessing in disguise. It gave Harry an insight into his enemy that no one else has. And in the end, this knowledge is what helps him defeat The Dark Lord.
Harry’s scar was a source of great pain for him since the portion of Voldemort’s soul within him was attempting to flee. When Voldemort subsequently eliminated that part of his soul from Harry, he did not feel any more discomfort from the scar.
The Scar Is Also Symbolic Throughout the Series
As well as being a crucial part of the series in general, Harry’s scar is also symbolic throughout the series. It is a constant reminder to Harry of what he has been through and what he has survived. It is also a reminder of the power of love.
The scar is meant to signify the boy wizard’s internal ordeals. From a young age, he found himself an orphan. He then went on to live with relatives that, quite frankly, mistreated him. As he grew older, he faced more and more difficult challenges. All of these challenges took a toll on him emotionally and psychologically. In the end, they all left their marks on him, both inside and out.
The lightning bolt-shaped scar is also a reminder that Harry is both cursed and chosen as the one who can defeat the Dark Lord.
But despite all the darkness and pain in his life, Harry never gave up. He always found the strength to carry on because he knew that there were people who loved him and who needed him. He knew that he had to stay strong for them.
And in the end, it is this love that defeats Voldemort. The power of love allows Harry to survive the Killing Curse and defeat The Dark Lord once and for all.
So, while Harry’s scar is a reminder of the pain and suffering he has endured, it is also a reminder of the power of love. It is a reminder that no matter how dark and difficult life may seem, there is always hope. There is always light.
The Scar Can’t Be Removed by Magical Means
So, aside from the scar’s story, let’s dive into some other facts about this curious disfigurement.
One intriguing fact is that this scar cannot be removed by any means – magical or non-magical. It is a permanent reminder of the night that Harry survived Voldemort’s Killing Curse.
This is surprising. Most magical medical remedies are remarkable and can cure even the most bizarre ailments. Heck, they can reverse the effects of someone drinking cat-infused Polyjuice Potion or grow someone’s bones back overnight. But there are some problems that even St Mungos just can’t tackle. And Harry’s scar is one of them.
This is significant because it means that the scar is with Harry forever. It is a part of him and always will be.
It Will Also Never Fade
You know how, when we Muggles have a scar, it usually becomes less and less visible over time. Well, Harry’s scar is nothing like this. It physically won’t fade.
This is because it was caused by a powerful magical curse. And, as we all know, magic always leaves its mark. So, even though Harry’s scar may not be as connected to Voldemort’s mind as it once was, it will never disappear completely.
This is evident from the final chapter of the Deathly Hallows. 19 years after Harry milled the darkest wizard of all time, his scar is still there, as clear as it was on his first day on Platform 9 3/4.
It’s the Only Physical Scar Left by the Killing Curse
Throughout the reign of Voldemort and many other dark wizards over the ages (Grindelwald, for example), many witches and wizards have fallen victim to the dreadful Killing Curse. But, all the bodies are left scarless.
In fact, they usually don’t have a single mark on them as the curse usually leaves no internal or external marks on its victims. This is demonstrated repeatedly in the series, with Harry’s parents, Voldemort’s muggle relatives, and many others being killed without receiving a single scratch as a result.
All, once again, except Harry.
Since Harry is the only one to have ever survived the Killing Curse, he is also the only one to be left with a physical scar.
It’s Also the Only Thing Harry Liked About His Appearance as a Child
So, as we’ve established, Harry’s scar is pretty significant. But did you know that it’s actually the only thing he liked about his appearance as a child?
Growing up, Harry was always self-conscious about his unruly hair, glasses, and skinny body. He felt like he stuck out like a sore thumb and was often teased by his classmates because of it.
But, when he looked in the mirror, he liked one thing about himself – his scar. To him, it made him feel special and unique. It was a badge of honor that showed that he had survived something that should have killed him.
It’s kind of ironic, then, that the thing that made him feel different and alone as a child is now the thing that has connected him to his past, connected him to the truth about his parents, connected him to his deadly enemy, and made him recognized by so many wizards around the world. His scar is now synonymous with hope, courage, and love.
It’s the Most Prominent, but Not Harry’s Only Scar
As this is a guide on Harry Potter’s scar, it’s important to mention that Harry has more than one scar. Of course, the famous lightning bolt on his forehead is the one we all remember, but he also has a few others.
There’s a scar on his right hand from where the dreadful Dolores Umbridge made him write lines with his own blood. During his fifth year, he was trying to spread the word about Voldemort’s return, and the ministry was calling him a liar. Being the sadistic woman she is, Umbridge decided to teach Harry a lesson. Harry was left with scars on his right hand reading “I must not tell lies” as a result.
There are also several scars resulting from Harry’s adventures in the deathly Hallows. He has a burn mark across his chest from Slytherin’s locket. Voldemort’s snake Nagini also bit him when he was in Godric’s Hollow, which left a puncture wound on his forearm. Hermione used the Essence of Dittany to heal both of these injuries. However, there are certain limits to its healing capabilities – so both most likely resulted in a scar.
Of course, neither of these marks are as necessary or as significant as the lightning bolt on his forehead. But, they’re still a part of Harry’s story and a part of who he is.
Harry Potter Scar Q and A
Answer: No, the scar itself isn’t a Horcrux but is a result of a curse attempted on him as a baby. However, Harry was invertedly made into a Horcrux as a result of this curse.
Answer: This is a common debate among Harry Potter fans. The problem is that, when it comes to the scars positioning, the books and films don’t line up. The cover art of the Harry Potter books depicts the scar close to the center of his forehead, while, in the films, it’s positioned more above his right eye. However, JK Rowling confirmed that the film adaptation is actually correct – Harry’s scar was always meant to be off-center.
Answer: Harry’s scar didn’t hurt as a direct response to Snape looking at him. This was a mere coincidence. At the time, Lord Voldemort was leading a half-life, surviving off a host body and unicorn blood. His face was outwardly projected onto the back of Professor Quirrel’s head. Harry looked past Quirrel and locked eyes with Snape – it was the looking past Quirrel that caused Harry’s scar to hurt, not Snape.
Answer: Once again, this was a complete coincidence. At the time, Voldemort was planning to break his followers out of Azkaban, so he was feeling both frustrated and excited. As both of these are pretty strong emotions, they caused his scar to twinge at the same time as Umbridge touched him.
Answer: The scar on Harry’s forehead was inflicted by Voldemort’s wand, a wand made of Yew, and a phoenix tail feather. In fact, it was Dumbledore’s phoenix Fawkes that gave the feather that resides in Voldemort’s wand. The curious thing is, Fawkes gave one other feather, which resides in the wand that chooses Harry. This makes their wands effectively twins and very powerful against each other.
Scarred for Life…
So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about Harry Potter’s scar. Harry’s scar is a permanent reminder of the night he narrowly escaped death. It’s also a physical embodiment of the connection between him and Lord Voldemort. The scar is a pretty big part of his life, and, even though it may not seem like it, it’s actually one of the things that makes Harry Potter’s story, and it helps make him who he is.
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