I was at an Latin session yesterday I attended a Latin session, and there was discussions about JK’s deep understanding of the language. Then I began to think about nothing more than the meaning of the phrase, but the significance of the phrase Draco Dormiens nunquam Titillandus (or Never Touch a sleeping Dragon). Evidently, it’s extremely important, otherwise JK would not have included it as an element of Hogwarts’ Coat of Arms and it would not be displayed in the first few pages of the book. Thus, I believe that this is an interesting clue that’s worth looking into.
What is “Never tickle a sleeping dragon” refer to? It’s just what it states, obviously. ;-). If there is danger (or a dangerous individual/group/situation) ahead of you, or you are threatened by it, don’t go and provoke it! If, for instance, you see a dragon sleeping just let him sleep do not wake him up by teasing him and then joking with the guy like you’ve done the greatest prank of all time. The dragon won’t be impressed.
We can now understand the meaning behind the proverb What is it to have to do with Hogwarts? Why is it part in its symbolic meaning? What is a symbol is: a shape or design utilized to represent something. According to this description “Never tickle a sleeping dragon” is a symbol of Hogwarts as an establishment. To me, it isn’t logical. It does not have anything related to teaching kids wizards or witches to use magic. Or does it?
To understand the reason why these four words that were chosen to be placed onto the school’s emblem we need to return to the period that of the Four Founders. They clearly had an adequate motive to pick this phrase. As we all know, they were all in perfect harmony till Salazar and Godric were at war and Salazar was forced to leave the school. Could it be that he was that “dragon” whom the other three crossed the line of their patience by (metaphorically) “tickling” him and realized they had made a mistake?
We do not know the exact details of the argument that occurred there and thereafter, and as far as we can tell, Godric might have caused a stir by provoking Salazar which he thought was amusing, but Salazar didn’t (I’m not mentioning Godric in this article, as the dispute was believed to be mainly between them). This could be the case: Salazar was a parselmouth, and associated with the snake and thus with Dragon (draco) also.
It is also known what devastating consequences the dispute brought -the fact that an Basilisk was placed within the Chamber of Secrets in order to kill as many muggles as they could The saying could have been engraved on the crest of the monument as an example to the future generations not to play with someone as risky. It is a possible interpretation. If so this is the case, the saying shouldn’t be taken as a hint or a warning, but rather as an expression of the reaction to the actions of Godric, Rowena and Helga to Salazar.
Another alternative interpretation for Draco Dominiens Nunquam Titillandus could be this The four words is a symbol of a particular House. Draco being “dragon” would therefore represent Slytherin as there is a relationship between serpents and dragons, which is why the serpent represents Slytherin’s pet. Dormiens in the sense of “sleeping” would then be an equivalent of Hufflepuff in the event that we connect Hufflepuff, the house emblem, a badger to sleeping. I’m not saying that badgers are asleep throughout their lives, but they’re creatures that are nocturnal, which means they are active at night which is why they typically rest when people, snakes or eagles and others. generally awake.
Then, we are left with Nunquam as “never,” which could mean Ravenclaw. If you’re laughing, I know how absurd this could sound however, it’s the sole possibility I came up with. If we consider the raven, instead of an Eagle (which is the household animal) in connection with the Raven’sclaw Edgar Poe’s infamous (and my favorite of all time) “The Raven” comes to my mind. If you know the poem will probably remember the famous ” nevermore” that the writer in the poem repeats (correct me if not right) eleven times. 12 times in fact If we take into account “nevermore” and “never” also. This is more than enough for anybody who’s ever had the pleasure of reading the poems to subconsciously associate the word “never” with. Ravenclaw is never(more) means Nunquam.
The only thing remains are Titillandus meaning “to tickle.” This could be a reference with Gryffindor (though not as very much with its Lion) as Gryffindors tend to search to find trouble or, more accurately, “be brave,” and tickle dragons whenever they think it appropriate. Furthermore, Gryffindors like to joke around (remember George, Fred, Lee as well as the Marauders and others. ) This isn’t an attribute that could be transferred to any other House. The act of tickling is, naturally something one typically does in a joke in order to be amused.
There it is: Draco, Dormiens, Nunquam, Titillandus = Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor. In truth it was this that was on my mind when I first started PS/SS and didn’t know what those Latin words meant. I just assumed that they meant “snake, badger, eagle, lion” (not necessarily in that specific order, but).
My guess is that there’s else to it. Be aware that JK is known for giving clues everywhere and what could she not have resisted placing something of significance in the very last location we’d think of checking? Why do we need to pay attention when the story doesn’t begin to develop? There’s a chance that it may be a trap to be sure However, let’s investigate the subject a little.
Everybody wants to know why Voldemort end up dying or being destroyed. It’s the question we’ve asked ourselves the frequently, since the first time we realized that in PS/SS that he was not completely gone. Does the proverb’s statement reveal the mysterious truth? I would like to believe this, however Voldemort isn’t “sleeping” (he is VERY active, or at a minimum it is likely that he will be in forthcoming books) Also, he isn’t so far as I’m aware, a subject for “tickling”; so I do not know in what ways a parallel can be drawn in this case.
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