Commemorative Harry Potter’s Facts - #8
The name Voldemort comes from the French words meaning “fly from death,” and his entire goal is to conquer death. In the second Harry Potter novel, Rowling shows us that “I am Lord Voldemort” is an anagram of “Tom Marvolo Riddle,” which is his actual full name.
Commemorative Harry Potter’s Facts - #7
The Hogwarts school motto is Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus which is Latin for “Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon.” In the novels, the school is located somewhere in Scotland and has various charms to make it appear as an old ruin to muggle eyes.
Commemorative Harry Potter’s Facts - #6
Rubeus Hagrid, one of Harry’s closest friends, is part wizard and part giant. Rubeus is Latin for something produced from a bramble or a thicket, which fits Rowling’s description of him as “wild.” Hagrid most likely comes from the term “haggard” which also means “wild” or “unruly.
Commemorative Harry Potter’s Facts - #5
Owls are the primary means of communication between wizards in Harry’s world. However, in many parts of the word, owls are considered bad luck and harbingers of death.
Commemorative Harry Potter’s Facts - #3
The word Muggle has spread beyond its Harry Potter origins, becoming one of few pop culture words to land in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Commemorative Harry Potter’s Facts - #2
The final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows became the fastest selling book in history, moving 11 million units in the first twenty-four hours of release.
Commemorative Harry Potter’s Facts - #1
As of June 2011, the book series has sold about 450 million copies. The series has been translated into 67 languages, placing Rowling among the most translated authors in history.
