Ravenclaw, the house of Stunners
Sep. 5th, 2006 05:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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sorting_elite in June of 2006. Since then, I have read what feels like a bazillion applications, varying from mundane to insightful to downright silly.
The following is, in my opinion, some of the insight. Particularly, into the often-questioned Ravenclaw house. Each applicant is asked to describe characteristics of the house, and these are some of my favorite answers.
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cardiopathy:
The first thing I always think of when I think Ravenclaw is intelligence and knowledge, which is their strongest trait. But there is so much more to them then that. They seem like they don't let their emotions get to them. (Except Cho, but that's reasonable, of course). They also seem like they have an element of beauty within them. Every time Jo describes a Ravenclaw, which is rare, they are described as handsome or pretty. They're mysterious, which is what is attractive about them, just because of the fact that they really are the least talked about in the series. Their most prominent trait, intelligence, is very important. They value intelligence, knowledge, and wit. They probably read tons and tons, but it seems like a true Ravenclaw doesn't have to read like Hermione in order to be that intelligent. They were probably raised with that sort of atmosphere with their family in the first place. They learn fast and they're free/independent thinkers. They probably don't care what people think about them.
diseasedonion:
The smarter you are, the lazier you tend to be. I am willing to bet good money that there is a huge load of procrastinators in Ravenclaw House – more than the other Houses – and I say that all very lovingly. Kin knows kin, that sort of thing.
I do see Ravenclaw as philosophers - theorists - more than experimentalists. They aren’t the kind to get their hands dirty where they can help it, and in some ways they’re right – their brains could better be used somewhere else. They’re ambitious, but not in the same way as Slytherin – their progress is for the sake of things, which makes them not unlike Gryffindors in many respects.
And Gryffindor is the House closest to Ravenclaw, honestly. Many people pair Ravenclaw off with Hufflepuff (often as “uninteresting”) or with Slytherin (given the shared aspect of cleverness), but I would link them more with Gryffindor more than anyone else. As I stated above, Gryffindors do things for the sake of them – and Ravenclaws learn for the sake of learning.
Also like Gryffindors, Ravenclaws are going to have set value of “logical” principles (which may or may not conform to everyone else’s logic) and they are going to follow those principles no matter the situation. I see them as the least likely to take risks, though, and as a result, I expect most of the older generation still alive in the Wizarding world is comprised of Ravenclaws. However, that does not mean that they are any less likely to break rules – as long as they feel the rule is illogical and/or doesn’t apply to them – like Gryffindors. Or if they feel they have an ironclad plan (I expect them to be meticulous planners, at any rate!)
I do also see them as the kind to be easily distracted – if there’s anyone in Hogwarts with ADD, I bet it’s a Ravenclaw. It’s far too easy to be looking up one thing and before you know it you’re halfway across the library reading something completely unrelated, only because you read something fascinating and wanted more information. But I really don’t see that as a problem, either – because often you find solutions in the places you least expected to find them. Following tangents is an excellent way to do that.
azulina: Ravenclaws find strength in knowledge. Ambition is good, ideals are great, and loyalty is to be admired, but none of it means much without knowledge. If you see an ambitious Ravenclaw, you can bet they already know exactly how to get where they're going, and the ideals they uphold are ones they've found to make the most sense. They share a hunger and thirst for knowledge that's unrivaled by any other House. While the others may love learning, or be intelligent, Ravenclaws love learning for learning's sake. They don't have to be the school's most intelligent students, but they're the ones who most enjoy learning. They also seem to be very independent thinkers. You never have to tell a Ravenclaw what to think -- they'll decide for themselves.
mindchill: We don't know much about Ravenclaws, but the Sorting Hat repeats intelligence, sharp mind, cleverness, ready mind. I think he is hinting at something... But to be serious, they are people, who like to learn for the sake of learning. I think, they doesn't have a longterm goal (with the learning in particular), like Hufflepuffs or Slytherins, but they are generally open and curious about the world. They are analytical and they aren't afraid to take something apart to have a closer look (and I mean this not just literally). Ravenclaws want to understand the world around them, and studying doesn't always means learning and reading to them, but rather to observe things. They may seem passive, but that's not true, they only like to think about things before making a statement or handling in some way. I can imagine, that the Ravenclaw quidditch-team is the best on the tactics, and they aren't afraid to have a little background search on former matches, or to go to the quidditch practice of another team to observe their style and methods.
naurael:
The Sorting Hat in his three known songs: wise, ready mind, wit, learning/fair, clever/surest intelligence, sharpest mind
The eagles. Soaring high above the mortal coil, they are the great minds of Hogwarts, free and overlooking everything like their house-mascot. As the lion presides over the earthbound animals, so does the eagle over the airborne ones, and thus also Ravenclaws are excellent and just leaders, although rather in freedom than in war and rather second-in-command than ruler. But although their wise, open minds oversee centuries and continents, they don’t always care for individuals.
In my opinion: intelligent/cold, studious/far away from reality, thourough/stickler to the rules, determined/narrow-minded, philosophic/sociopathic, creative/anti-traditional
The one house with no open loyality-thread at their core. That doesn’t mean that they are betraying or double-faced. It just isn’t a priority to them to give their loyality to a certain mundane goal. It isn’t loyality to a cause, nor to people or values. It is about abstracts and abstract thought – they are the brains of Hogwarts. But also herein lies variety: They have scholars as well as intensly curious people, intellectuals as well as artists. I think especially artists would go to Ravenclaw, for their dedication to their respective art describes exactly this missing loyality-thread. Art exists in and of it self. And a commitment to art is unlike every other connection one will ever establish.
Now how does Luna fit into all this? Well, she believes with all her heart that the news her dad doles out are true. There might be some family-loyality in there, but the bottom is that she believes in the worth of the information her dad writes. In the end it comes down to thoughts and ideas again. I think this is also the reason Hermione is in Gryffindor. She believes in the Greater Good and in her ability to change things just by herself and her intelligence – a trait no Ravenclaw would show. Not because they don’t want things to change, but because it’s so materialistic a goal. In a sense I would say the Ravenclaws are the Philosophers of Hogwarts . They are the thinkers and believers wrapped up in one.
In canon, Ravenclaws often stay on the emotionally repressed side, a bit aloof and seemingly arrogant. This also includes Cho Chang. How does that fit with her in tears all over Harry? Well, it is obvious that she can’t deal with all those emotions. She isn’t used to being confused. That’s why, she is unhappy – and feels immensly guilty, in addition to the guilt about dating Harry so shortly after Cedric’s death. And if this isn’t a reason for tears, I don’t know what is. As to the arrogant-thing, they have the Sorting Hat’s assurance that they are the cleverest. That would make you kind of proud too, wouldn’t it? And like Terry Boot, you would be somewhat incredulous when meeting the Gryffindor Hermione.
***
Also, picked up fromeagle_eyed: the colors of house Ravenclaw.
chetrieth: 'Although I'm not really much of an artist, I can appreciate having a warmer color to complement the coolness of blue. It's nice to have something to take the edge off of the chilliness of blue. Also bronze is a monumental color, which appeals to my megalomania.'
subitoburrito: '[...]if for no other reason than the alliteration.'
erbylikewhoa: 'I always have thought bronze and gold look too opulent to the point of being tacky.'
***
glacierscout's manifesto
house members' discussion onministry_elite
---
Clever Ravenclaws
Full of wit and learning --
Ooh, a butterfly!
byskirmish_of_wit
sorting_elite in June of 2006. Since then, I have read what feels like a bazillion applications, varying from mundane to insightful to downright silly.The following is, in my opinion, some of the insight. Particularly, into the often-questioned Ravenclaw house. Each applicant is asked to describe characteristics of the house, and these are some of my favorite answers.
cardiopathy:The first thing I always think of when I think Ravenclaw is intelligence and knowledge, which is their strongest trait. But there is so much more to them then that. They seem like they don't let their emotions get to them. (Except Cho, but that's reasonable, of course). They also seem like they have an element of beauty within them. Every time Jo describes a Ravenclaw, which is rare, they are described as handsome or pretty. They're mysterious, which is what is attractive about them, just because of the fact that they really are the least talked about in the series. Their most prominent trait, intelligence, is very important. They value intelligence, knowledge, and wit. They probably read tons and tons, but it seems like a true Ravenclaw doesn't have to read like Hermione in order to be that intelligent. They were probably raised with that sort of atmosphere with their family in the first place. They learn fast and they're free/independent thinkers. They probably don't care what people think about them.
diseasedonion:The smarter you are, the lazier you tend to be. I am willing to bet good money that there is a huge load of procrastinators in Ravenclaw House – more than the other Houses – and I say that all very lovingly. Kin knows kin, that sort of thing.
I do see Ravenclaw as philosophers - theorists - more than experimentalists. They aren’t the kind to get their hands dirty where they can help it, and in some ways they’re right – their brains could better be used somewhere else. They’re ambitious, but not in the same way as Slytherin – their progress is for the sake of things, which makes them not unlike Gryffindors in many respects.
And Gryffindor is the House closest to Ravenclaw, honestly. Many people pair Ravenclaw off with Hufflepuff (often as “uninteresting”) or with Slytherin (given the shared aspect of cleverness), but I would link them more with Gryffindor more than anyone else. As I stated above, Gryffindors do things for the sake of them – and Ravenclaws learn for the sake of learning.
Also like Gryffindors, Ravenclaws are going to have set value of “logical” principles (which may or may not conform to everyone else’s logic) and they are going to follow those principles no matter the situation. I see them as the least likely to take risks, though, and as a result, I expect most of the older generation still alive in the Wizarding world is comprised of Ravenclaws. However, that does not mean that they are any less likely to break rules – as long as they feel the rule is illogical and/or doesn’t apply to them – like Gryffindors. Or if they feel they have an ironclad plan (I expect them to be meticulous planners, at any rate!)
I do also see them as the kind to be easily distracted – if there’s anyone in Hogwarts with ADD, I bet it’s a Ravenclaw. It’s far too easy to be looking up one thing and before you know it you’re halfway across the library reading something completely unrelated, only because you read something fascinating and wanted more information. But I really don’t see that as a problem, either – because often you find solutions in the places you least expected to find them. Following tangents is an excellent way to do that.
azulina: Ravenclaws find strength in knowledge. Ambition is good, ideals are great, and loyalty is to be admired, but none of it means much without knowledge. If you see an ambitious Ravenclaw, you can bet they already know exactly how to get where they're going, and the ideals they uphold are ones they've found to make the most sense. They share a hunger and thirst for knowledge that's unrivaled by any other House. While the others may love learning, or be intelligent, Ravenclaws love learning for learning's sake. They don't have to be the school's most intelligent students, but they're the ones who most enjoy learning. They also seem to be very independent thinkers. You never have to tell a Ravenclaw what to think -- they'll decide for themselves.mindchill: We don't know much about Ravenclaws, but the Sorting Hat repeats intelligence, sharp mind, cleverness, ready mind. I think he is hinting at something... But to be serious, they are people, who like to learn for the sake of learning. I think, they doesn't have a longterm goal (with the learning in particular), like Hufflepuffs or Slytherins, but they are generally open and curious about the world. They are analytical and they aren't afraid to take something apart to have a closer look (and I mean this not just literally). Ravenclaws want to understand the world around them, and studying doesn't always means learning and reading to them, but rather to observe things. They may seem passive, but that's not true, they only like to think about things before making a statement or handling in some way. I can imagine, that the Ravenclaw quidditch-team is the best on the tactics, and they aren't afraid to have a little background search on former matches, or to go to the quidditch practice of another team to observe their style and methods.naurael:The Sorting Hat in his three known songs: wise, ready mind, wit, learning/fair, clever/surest intelligence, sharpest mind
The eagles. Soaring high above the mortal coil, they are the great minds of Hogwarts, free and overlooking everything like their house-mascot. As the lion presides over the earthbound animals, so does the eagle over the airborne ones, and thus also Ravenclaws are excellent and just leaders, although rather in freedom than in war and rather second-in-command than ruler. But although their wise, open minds oversee centuries and continents, they don’t always care for individuals.
In my opinion: intelligent/cold, studious/far away from reality, thourough/stickler to the rules, determined/narrow-minded, philosophic/sociopathic, creative/anti-traditional
The one house with no open loyality-thread at their core. That doesn’t mean that they are betraying or double-faced. It just isn’t a priority to them to give their loyality to a certain mundane goal. It isn’t loyality to a cause, nor to people or values. It is about abstracts and abstract thought – they are the brains of Hogwarts. But also herein lies variety: They have scholars as well as intensly curious people, intellectuals as well as artists. I think especially artists would go to Ravenclaw, for their dedication to their respective art describes exactly this missing loyality-thread. Art exists in and of it self. And a commitment to art is unlike every other connection one will ever establish.
Now how does Luna fit into all this? Well, she believes with all her heart that the news her dad doles out are true. There might be some family-loyality in there, but the bottom is that she believes in the worth of the information her dad writes. In the end it comes down to thoughts and ideas again. I think this is also the reason Hermione is in Gryffindor. She believes in the Greater Good and in her ability to change things just by herself and her intelligence – a trait no Ravenclaw would show. Not because they don’t want things to change, but because it’s so materialistic a goal. In a sense I would say the Ravenclaws are the Philosophers of Hogwarts . They are the thinkers and believers wrapped up in one.
In canon, Ravenclaws often stay on the emotionally repressed side, a bit aloof and seemingly arrogant. This also includes Cho Chang. How does that fit with her in tears all over Harry? Well, it is obvious that she can’t deal with all those emotions. She isn’t used to being confused. That’s why, she is unhappy – and feels immensly guilty, in addition to the guilt about dating Harry so shortly after Cedric’s death. And if this isn’t a reason for tears, I don’t know what is. As to the arrogant-thing, they have the Sorting Hat’s assurance that they are the cleverest. That would make you kind of proud too, wouldn’t it? And like Terry Boot, you would be somewhat incredulous when meeting the Gryffindor Hermione.
***
Also, picked up from
eagle_eyed: the colors of house Ravenclaw.chetrieth: 'Although I'm not really much of an artist, I can appreciate having a warmer color to complement the coolness of blue. It's nice to have something to take the edge off of the chilliness of blue. Also bronze is a monumental color, which appeals to my megalomania.'subitoburrito: '[...]if for no other reason than the alliteration.'erbylikewhoa: 'I always have thought bronze and gold look too opulent to the point of being tacky.'***
glacierscout's manifestohouse members' discussion on
ministry_elite---
Clever Ravenclaws
Full of wit and learning --
Ooh, a butterfly!
by
skirmish_of_wit
