Can only humans be witches or wizards?





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Obviously Hagrid was half-giant and half-human so it isn't limited only to full humans but what about a full giant, for example?



Does a creature have to have some human blood to be a witch or wizard?










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  • 3




    Just to check, you do remember that goblins and elves have their own magic, right? If so do you mean them able to do "human" magic? Especially, wand usage?
    – Jenayah
    Nov 11 at 8:45








  • 4




    @Jenayah - I'd focus on whether the terms "witch and wizard" are exclusive to humanity. Has there been a 'mermish wizard', for example.
    – Valorum
    Nov 11 at 8:51






  • 1




    Not a dupe but very close to: scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/158520/…
    – Shreedhar
    Nov 11 at 9:22






  • 3




    @Jenayah moreover, Goblins were known to use wands. something Griphook mentions in Book-7 when they are planning to steal from Gringotts.
    – Shreedhar
    Nov 11 at 9:25






  • 1




    Then How Human do you need to be in order to be allowed to use a wand? will be closely related. (I don't remember when the law was passed, but "No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand." )
    – Jenayah
    Nov 11 at 9:45

















up vote
16
down vote

favorite












Obviously Hagrid was half-giant and half-human so it isn't limited only to full humans but what about a full giant, for example?



Does a creature have to have some human blood to be a witch or wizard?










share|improve this question


















  • 3




    Just to check, you do remember that goblins and elves have their own magic, right? If so do you mean them able to do "human" magic? Especially, wand usage?
    – Jenayah
    Nov 11 at 8:45








  • 4




    @Jenayah - I'd focus on whether the terms "witch and wizard" are exclusive to humanity. Has there been a 'mermish wizard', for example.
    – Valorum
    Nov 11 at 8:51






  • 1




    Not a dupe but very close to: scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/158520/…
    – Shreedhar
    Nov 11 at 9:22






  • 3




    @Jenayah moreover, Goblins were known to use wands. something Griphook mentions in Book-7 when they are planning to steal from Gringotts.
    – Shreedhar
    Nov 11 at 9:25






  • 1




    Then How Human do you need to be in order to be allowed to use a wand? will be closely related. (I don't remember when the law was passed, but "No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand." )
    – Jenayah
    Nov 11 at 9:45













up vote
16
down vote

favorite









up vote
16
down vote

favorite











Obviously Hagrid was half-giant and half-human so it isn't limited only to full humans but what about a full giant, for example?



Does a creature have to have some human blood to be a witch or wizard?










share|improve this question













Obviously Hagrid was half-giant and half-human so it isn't limited only to full humans but what about a full giant, for example?



Does a creature have to have some human blood to be a witch or wizard?







harry-potter magic magical-creatures






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Nov 11 at 8:38









Lio Elbammalf

2137




2137








  • 3




    Just to check, you do remember that goblins and elves have their own magic, right? If so do you mean them able to do "human" magic? Especially, wand usage?
    – Jenayah
    Nov 11 at 8:45








  • 4




    @Jenayah - I'd focus on whether the terms "witch and wizard" are exclusive to humanity. Has there been a 'mermish wizard', for example.
    – Valorum
    Nov 11 at 8:51






  • 1




    Not a dupe but very close to: scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/158520/…
    – Shreedhar
    Nov 11 at 9:22






  • 3




    @Jenayah moreover, Goblins were known to use wands. something Griphook mentions in Book-7 when they are planning to steal from Gringotts.
    – Shreedhar
    Nov 11 at 9:25






  • 1




    Then How Human do you need to be in order to be allowed to use a wand? will be closely related. (I don't remember when the law was passed, but "No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand." )
    – Jenayah
    Nov 11 at 9:45














  • 3




    Just to check, you do remember that goblins and elves have their own magic, right? If so do you mean them able to do "human" magic? Especially, wand usage?
    – Jenayah
    Nov 11 at 8:45








  • 4




    @Jenayah - I'd focus on whether the terms "witch and wizard" are exclusive to humanity. Has there been a 'mermish wizard', for example.
    – Valorum
    Nov 11 at 8:51






  • 1




    Not a dupe but very close to: scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/158520/…
    – Shreedhar
    Nov 11 at 9:22






  • 3




    @Jenayah moreover, Goblins were known to use wands. something Griphook mentions in Book-7 when they are planning to steal from Gringotts.
    – Shreedhar
    Nov 11 at 9:25






  • 1




    Then How Human do you need to be in order to be allowed to use a wand? will be closely related. (I don't remember when the law was passed, but "No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand." )
    – Jenayah
    Nov 11 at 9:45








3




3




Just to check, you do remember that goblins and elves have their own magic, right? If so do you mean them able to do "human" magic? Especially, wand usage?
– Jenayah
Nov 11 at 8:45






Just to check, you do remember that goblins and elves have their own magic, right? If so do you mean them able to do "human" magic? Especially, wand usage?
– Jenayah
Nov 11 at 8:45






4




4




@Jenayah - I'd focus on whether the terms "witch and wizard" are exclusive to humanity. Has there been a 'mermish wizard', for example.
– Valorum
Nov 11 at 8:51




@Jenayah - I'd focus on whether the terms "witch and wizard" are exclusive to humanity. Has there been a 'mermish wizard', for example.
– Valorum
Nov 11 at 8:51




1




1




Not a dupe but very close to: scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/158520/…
– Shreedhar
Nov 11 at 9:22




Not a dupe but very close to: scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/158520/…
– Shreedhar
Nov 11 at 9:22




3




3




@Jenayah moreover, Goblins were known to use wands. something Griphook mentions in Book-7 when they are planning to steal from Gringotts.
– Shreedhar
Nov 11 at 9:25




@Jenayah moreover, Goblins were known to use wands. something Griphook mentions in Book-7 when they are planning to steal from Gringotts.
– Shreedhar
Nov 11 at 9:25




1




1




Then How Human do you need to be in order to be allowed to use a wand? will be closely related. (I don't remember when the law was passed, but "No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand." )
– Jenayah
Nov 11 at 9:45




Then How Human do you need to be in order to be allowed to use a wand? will be closely related. (I don't remember when the law was passed, but "No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand." )
– Jenayah
Nov 11 at 9:45










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

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up vote
24
down vote



accepted










The non-human creatures that use magic aren’t called wizards.



There are some non-human creatures that can do magic, like goblins and house-elves, but those beings aren’t called wizards - wizards have to be human, at least partially. Griphook, a goblin, makes a clear distinction between wizards and other magical beings (including goblins like him).




“The right to carry a wand,’ said the goblin quietly, ‘has long been contested between wizards and goblins.’



‘Well, goblins can do magic without wands,’ said Ron.



‘That is immaterial! Wizards refuse to share the secrets of wandlore with other magical beings, they deny us the possibility of extending our powers!”
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 24 (The Wandmaker)




The term ‘wizard’ specifically means ‘human who can use magic’, so doesn’t apply to other beings or creatures that can also do magic. So, Griphook doesn’t think of himself as a wizard, nor do wizards think of goblins or other magical beings as wizards, since ‘wizard’ implies human. Wizards are allowed to have wands, and according to clause three of the Code of Wand Use, no non-human creatures are allowed to have wands. This includes house-elves, since Crouch’s house-elf having a wand breaks clause three of the Code of Wand Use.




“Come off it, Amos,’ said Mr Weasley quietly, ‘you don’t seriously think it was the elf? The Dark Mark’s a wizard’s sign. It requires a wand.



‘Yeah,’ said Mr Diggory, ‘and she had a wand.’



‘What?’ said Mr Weasley.



‘Here, look.’ Mr Diggory held up a wand and showed it to Mr Weasley. ‘Had it in her hand. So that’s clause three of the Code of Wand Use broken for a start. No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 9 (The Dark Mark)




Furthermore, the Dark Mark is described as a wizard’s sign because it requires a wand, making even clearer that ‘wizards’ must be human, since only humans are permitted wands.






share|improve this answer



















  • 4




    So is 'wizard' just a name? It doesn't actually imply any other properties other than human and non-muggle? A wizard can't do any magic a goblin couldn't (if they were allowed wands)?
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 11 at 14:42






  • 2




    @LioElbammalf Wizards’ magic is different from other beings’ magic in some ways, but the term wizard refers to humans who can do magic. Their magic is somewhat different than other beings’ own isn’t why they’re called wizards.
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 11 at 17:02








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf: While different types of magic exist, and it's perfectly possible that e.g. humans and goblins use a mutually exclusive type of magic (I can neither confirm/deny that this is the case - just pointing out a possibility), the name "wizard" isn't referring to a particular type of magic, but rather the "magic and human"' nature of the person.
    – Flater
    Nov 12 at 9:00








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf I’ve added in the additional proof I mentioned! :)
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 15 at 20:08






  • 1




    @Bellatrix Thanks, I've changed yours to the accepted answer as it shows explicitly that only humans can be wizards :)
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 8:00


















up vote
10
down vote













It seems from the introduction to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that only humans are called witches or wizards. In a section there titled "What is a Beast?", Newt Scamander indicates that non-human magical beings are not wizards:




In a spirit of friendship he summoned all 'beings' to meet with the wizards at a summit to discuss new magical laws and found to his intense dismay that he had miscalculated. The meeting hall was crammed with goblins who had brought with them as many two-legged creatures as they could find.







Embittered, Burddock Muldoon forswore any further attempts to integrate non-wizard members of the magical community into the Wizards' Council.




Additionally, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione overhear Griphook explaining why he is on the run in Deathly Hallows, Griphook clearly indicates that goblins are not wizards:




"You had a false impression," said the higher-voiced of the goblins. "We take no sides. this is a wizards' war."




Earlier in Deathly Hallows we see that house-elves are distinguished from wizards even though they can do magic (sometimes even greater than wizards):




"Elf magic isn't like wizard's magic, is it?" said Ron. "I mean, they can Apparate and Disapparate in and out of Hogwarts when we can't."




In Order of the Phoenix the centaurs clearly indicate to Harry and Hermione that they are not wizards:




"Perhaps you thought us pretty talking horses? We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognize your laws, we do not acknowledge your superiority, we are—"




Thus, we have examples showing that all three primary types of magical beings with human intelligence are not considered wizards. Indeed this seems to be the message of the statues in the Ministry of Magic in Order of the Phoenix:




A group of golden statues, larger than life-size, stood in the middle of a circular pool. Tallest of them all was a noble-looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up in the air. Grouped around him were a beautiful witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf. The last three were looking adoringly up at the witch and wizard.







share|improve this answer





















  • Apologies for changing the accepted answer but the other answer has now provided a quote which states explicitly that non-humans can't carry wands->only wizards can carry wands -> therefore only humans are wizards.
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 7:59






  • 1




    @LioElbammalf You don't have to apologize. There is nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer even when the answers haven't been changed; there is certainly nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer when one of the answers has been changed.
    – Alex
    Nov 16 at 8:29













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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

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active

oldest

votes








up vote
24
down vote



accepted










The non-human creatures that use magic aren’t called wizards.



There are some non-human creatures that can do magic, like goblins and house-elves, but those beings aren’t called wizards - wizards have to be human, at least partially. Griphook, a goblin, makes a clear distinction between wizards and other magical beings (including goblins like him).




“The right to carry a wand,’ said the goblin quietly, ‘has long been contested between wizards and goblins.’



‘Well, goblins can do magic without wands,’ said Ron.



‘That is immaterial! Wizards refuse to share the secrets of wandlore with other magical beings, they deny us the possibility of extending our powers!”
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 24 (The Wandmaker)




The term ‘wizard’ specifically means ‘human who can use magic’, so doesn’t apply to other beings or creatures that can also do magic. So, Griphook doesn’t think of himself as a wizard, nor do wizards think of goblins or other magical beings as wizards, since ‘wizard’ implies human. Wizards are allowed to have wands, and according to clause three of the Code of Wand Use, no non-human creatures are allowed to have wands. This includes house-elves, since Crouch’s house-elf having a wand breaks clause three of the Code of Wand Use.




“Come off it, Amos,’ said Mr Weasley quietly, ‘you don’t seriously think it was the elf? The Dark Mark’s a wizard’s sign. It requires a wand.



‘Yeah,’ said Mr Diggory, ‘and she had a wand.’



‘What?’ said Mr Weasley.



‘Here, look.’ Mr Diggory held up a wand and showed it to Mr Weasley. ‘Had it in her hand. So that’s clause three of the Code of Wand Use broken for a start. No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 9 (The Dark Mark)




Furthermore, the Dark Mark is described as a wizard’s sign because it requires a wand, making even clearer that ‘wizards’ must be human, since only humans are permitted wands.






share|improve this answer



















  • 4




    So is 'wizard' just a name? It doesn't actually imply any other properties other than human and non-muggle? A wizard can't do any magic a goblin couldn't (if they were allowed wands)?
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 11 at 14:42






  • 2




    @LioElbammalf Wizards’ magic is different from other beings’ magic in some ways, but the term wizard refers to humans who can do magic. Their magic is somewhat different than other beings’ own isn’t why they’re called wizards.
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 11 at 17:02








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf: While different types of magic exist, and it's perfectly possible that e.g. humans and goblins use a mutually exclusive type of magic (I can neither confirm/deny that this is the case - just pointing out a possibility), the name "wizard" isn't referring to a particular type of magic, but rather the "magic and human"' nature of the person.
    – Flater
    Nov 12 at 9:00








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf I’ve added in the additional proof I mentioned! :)
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 15 at 20:08






  • 1




    @Bellatrix Thanks, I've changed yours to the accepted answer as it shows explicitly that only humans can be wizards :)
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 8:00















up vote
24
down vote



accepted










The non-human creatures that use magic aren’t called wizards.



There are some non-human creatures that can do magic, like goblins and house-elves, but those beings aren’t called wizards - wizards have to be human, at least partially. Griphook, a goblin, makes a clear distinction between wizards and other magical beings (including goblins like him).




“The right to carry a wand,’ said the goblin quietly, ‘has long been contested between wizards and goblins.’



‘Well, goblins can do magic without wands,’ said Ron.



‘That is immaterial! Wizards refuse to share the secrets of wandlore with other magical beings, they deny us the possibility of extending our powers!”
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 24 (The Wandmaker)




The term ‘wizard’ specifically means ‘human who can use magic’, so doesn’t apply to other beings or creatures that can also do magic. So, Griphook doesn’t think of himself as a wizard, nor do wizards think of goblins or other magical beings as wizards, since ‘wizard’ implies human. Wizards are allowed to have wands, and according to clause three of the Code of Wand Use, no non-human creatures are allowed to have wands. This includes house-elves, since Crouch’s house-elf having a wand breaks clause three of the Code of Wand Use.




“Come off it, Amos,’ said Mr Weasley quietly, ‘you don’t seriously think it was the elf? The Dark Mark’s a wizard’s sign. It requires a wand.



‘Yeah,’ said Mr Diggory, ‘and she had a wand.’



‘What?’ said Mr Weasley.



‘Here, look.’ Mr Diggory held up a wand and showed it to Mr Weasley. ‘Had it in her hand. So that’s clause three of the Code of Wand Use broken for a start. No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 9 (The Dark Mark)




Furthermore, the Dark Mark is described as a wizard’s sign because it requires a wand, making even clearer that ‘wizards’ must be human, since only humans are permitted wands.






share|improve this answer



















  • 4




    So is 'wizard' just a name? It doesn't actually imply any other properties other than human and non-muggle? A wizard can't do any magic a goblin couldn't (if they were allowed wands)?
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 11 at 14:42






  • 2




    @LioElbammalf Wizards’ magic is different from other beings’ magic in some ways, but the term wizard refers to humans who can do magic. Their magic is somewhat different than other beings’ own isn’t why they’re called wizards.
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 11 at 17:02








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf: While different types of magic exist, and it's perfectly possible that e.g. humans and goblins use a mutually exclusive type of magic (I can neither confirm/deny that this is the case - just pointing out a possibility), the name "wizard" isn't referring to a particular type of magic, but rather the "magic and human"' nature of the person.
    – Flater
    Nov 12 at 9:00








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf I’ve added in the additional proof I mentioned! :)
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 15 at 20:08






  • 1




    @Bellatrix Thanks, I've changed yours to the accepted answer as it shows explicitly that only humans can be wizards :)
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 8:00













up vote
24
down vote



accepted







up vote
24
down vote



accepted






The non-human creatures that use magic aren’t called wizards.



There are some non-human creatures that can do magic, like goblins and house-elves, but those beings aren’t called wizards - wizards have to be human, at least partially. Griphook, a goblin, makes a clear distinction between wizards and other magical beings (including goblins like him).




“The right to carry a wand,’ said the goblin quietly, ‘has long been contested between wizards and goblins.’



‘Well, goblins can do magic without wands,’ said Ron.



‘That is immaterial! Wizards refuse to share the secrets of wandlore with other magical beings, they deny us the possibility of extending our powers!”
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 24 (The Wandmaker)




The term ‘wizard’ specifically means ‘human who can use magic’, so doesn’t apply to other beings or creatures that can also do magic. So, Griphook doesn’t think of himself as a wizard, nor do wizards think of goblins or other magical beings as wizards, since ‘wizard’ implies human. Wizards are allowed to have wands, and according to clause three of the Code of Wand Use, no non-human creatures are allowed to have wands. This includes house-elves, since Crouch’s house-elf having a wand breaks clause three of the Code of Wand Use.




“Come off it, Amos,’ said Mr Weasley quietly, ‘you don’t seriously think it was the elf? The Dark Mark’s a wizard’s sign. It requires a wand.



‘Yeah,’ said Mr Diggory, ‘and she had a wand.’



‘What?’ said Mr Weasley.



‘Here, look.’ Mr Diggory held up a wand and showed it to Mr Weasley. ‘Had it in her hand. So that’s clause three of the Code of Wand Use broken for a start. No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 9 (The Dark Mark)




Furthermore, the Dark Mark is described as a wizard’s sign because it requires a wand, making even clearer that ‘wizards’ must be human, since only humans are permitted wands.






share|improve this answer














The non-human creatures that use magic aren’t called wizards.



There are some non-human creatures that can do magic, like goblins and house-elves, but those beings aren’t called wizards - wizards have to be human, at least partially. Griphook, a goblin, makes a clear distinction between wizards and other magical beings (including goblins like him).




“The right to carry a wand,’ said the goblin quietly, ‘has long been contested between wizards and goblins.’



‘Well, goblins can do magic without wands,’ said Ron.



‘That is immaterial! Wizards refuse to share the secrets of wandlore with other magical beings, they deny us the possibility of extending our powers!”
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 24 (The Wandmaker)




The term ‘wizard’ specifically means ‘human who can use magic’, so doesn’t apply to other beings or creatures that can also do magic. So, Griphook doesn’t think of himself as a wizard, nor do wizards think of goblins or other magical beings as wizards, since ‘wizard’ implies human. Wizards are allowed to have wands, and according to clause three of the Code of Wand Use, no non-human creatures are allowed to have wands. This includes house-elves, since Crouch’s house-elf having a wand breaks clause three of the Code of Wand Use.




“Come off it, Amos,’ said Mr Weasley quietly, ‘you don’t seriously think it was the elf? The Dark Mark’s a wizard’s sign. It requires a wand.



‘Yeah,’ said Mr Diggory, ‘and she had a wand.’



‘What?’ said Mr Weasley.



‘Here, look.’ Mr Diggory held up a wand and showed it to Mr Weasley. ‘Had it in her hand. So that’s clause three of the Code of Wand Use broken for a start. No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 9 (The Dark Mark)




Furthermore, the Dark Mark is described as a wizard’s sign because it requires a wand, making even clearer that ‘wizards’ must be human, since only humans are permitted wands.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Nov 15 at 20:07

























answered Nov 11 at 14:26









Bellatrix

67.4k11302338




67.4k11302338








  • 4




    So is 'wizard' just a name? It doesn't actually imply any other properties other than human and non-muggle? A wizard can't do any magic a goblin couldn't (if they were allowed wands)?
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 11 at 14:42






  • 2




    @LioElbammalf Wizards’ magic is different from other beings’ magic in some ways, but the term wizard refers to humans who can do magic. Their magic is somewhat different than other beings’ own isn’t why they’re called wizards.
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 11 at 17:02








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf: While different types of magic exist, and it's perfectly possible that e.g. humans and goblins use a mutually exclusive type of magic (I can neither confirm/deny that this is the case - just pointing out a possibility), the name "wizard" isn't referring to a particular type of magic, but rather the "magic and human"' nature of the person.
    – Flater
    Nov 12 at 9:00








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf I’ve added in the additional proof I mentioned! :)
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 15 at 20:08






  • 1




    @Bellatrix Thanks, I've changed yours to the accepted answer as it shows explicitly that only humans can be wizards :)
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 8:00














  • 4




    So is 'wizard' just a name? It doesn't actually imply any other properties other than human and non-muggle? A wizard can't do any magic a goblin couldn't (if they were allowed wands)?
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 11 at 14:42






  • 2




    @LioElbammalf Wizards’ magic is different from other beings’ magic in some ways, but the term wizard refers to humans who can do magic. Their magic is somewhat different than other beings’ own isn’t why they’re called wizards.
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 11 at 17:02








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf: While different types of magic exist, and it's perfectly possible that e.g. humans and goblins use a mutually exclusive type of magic (I can neither confirm/deny that this is the case - just pointing out a possibility), the name "wizard" isn't referring to a particular type of magic, but rather the "magic and human"' nature of the person.
    – Flater
    Nov 12 at 9:00








  • 1




    @LioElbammalf I’ve added in the additional proof I mentioned! :)
    – Bellatrix
    Nov 15 at 20:08






  • 1




    @Bellatrix Thanks, I've changed yours to the accepted answer as it shows explicitly that only humans can be wizards :)
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 8:00








4




4




So is 'wizard' just a name? It doesn't actually imply any other properties other than human and non-muggle? A wizard can't do any magic a goblin couldn't (if they were allowed wands)?
– Lio Elbammalf
Nov 11 at 14:42




So is 'wizard' just a name? It doesn't actually imply any other properties other than human and non-muggle? A wizard can't do any magic a goblin couldn't (if they were allowed wands)?
– Lio Elbammalf
Nov 11 at 14:42




2




2




@LioElbammalf Wizards’ magic is different from other beings’ magic in some ways, but the term wizard refers to humans who can do magic. Their magic is somewhat different than other beings’ own isn’t why they’re called wizards.
– Bellatrix
Nov 11 at 17:02






@LioElbammalf Wizards’ magic is different from other beings’ magic in some ways, but the term wizard refers to humans who can do magic. Their magic is somewhat different than other beings’ own isn’t why they’re called wizards.
– Bellatrix
Nov 11 at 17:02






1




1




@LioElbammalf: While different types of magic exist, and it's perfectly possible that e.g. humans and goblins use a mutually exclusive type of magic (I can neither confirm/deny that this is the case - just pointing out a possibility), the name "wizard" isn't referring to a particular type of magic, but rather the "magic and human"' nature of the person.
– Flater
Nov 12 at 9:00






@LioElbammalf: While different types of magic exist, and it's perfectly possible that e.g. humans and goblins use a mutually exclusive type of magic (I can neither confirm/deny that this is the case - just pointing out a possibility), the name "wizard" isn't referring to a particular type of magic, but rather the "magic and human"' nature of the person.
– Flater
Nov 12 at 9:00






1




1




@LioElbammalf I’ve added in the additional proof I mentioned! :)
– Bellatrix
Nov 15 at 20:08




@LioElbammalf I’ve added in the additional proof I mentioned! :)
– Bellatrix
Nov 15 at 20:08




1




1




@Bellatrix Thanks, I've changed yours to the accepted answer as it shows explicitly that only humans can be wizards :)
– Lio Elbammalf
Nov 16 at 8:00




@Bellatrix Thanks, I've changed yours to the accepted answer as it shows explicitly that only humans can be wizards :)
– Lio Elbammalf
Nov 16 at 8:00












up vote
10
down vote













It seems from the introduction to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that only humans are called witches or wizards. In a section there titled "What is a Beast?", Newt Scamander indicates that non-human magical beings are not wizards:




In a spirit of friendship he summoned all 'beings' to meet with the wizards at a summit to discuss new magical laws and found to his intense dismay that he had miscalculated. The meeting hall was crammed with goblins who had brought with them as many two-legged creatures as they could find.







Embittered, Burddock Muldoon forswore any further attempts to integrate non-wizard members of the magical community into the Wizards' Council.




Additionally, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione overhear Griphook explaining why he is on the run in Deathly Hallows, Griphook clearly indicates that goblins are not wizards:




"You had a false impression," said the higher-voiced of the goblins. "We take no sides. this is a wizards' war."




Earlier in Deathly Hallows we see that house-elves are distinguished from wizards even though they can do magic (sometimes even greater than wizards):




"Elf magic isn't like wizard's magic, is it?" said Ron. "I mean, they can Apparate and Disapparate in and out of Hogwarts when we can't."




In Order of the Phoenix the centaurs clearly indicate to Harry and Hermione that they are not wizards:




"Perhaps you thought us pretty talking horses? We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognize your laws, we do not acknowledge your superiority, we are—"




Thus, we have examples showing that all three primary types of magical beings with human intelligence are not considered wizards. Indeed this seems to be the message of the statues in the Ministry of Magic in Order of the Phoenix:




A group of golden statues, larger than life-size, stood in the middle of a circular pool. Tallest of them all was a noble-looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up in the air. Grouped around him were a beautiful witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf. The last three were looking adoringly up at the witch and wizard.







share|improve this answer





















  • Apologies for changing the accepted answer but the other answer has now provided a quote which states explicitly that non-humans can't carry wands->only wizards can carry wands -> therefore only humans are wizards.
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 7:59






  • 1




    @LioElbammalf You don't have to apologize. There is nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer even when the answers haven't been changed; there is certainly nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer when one of the answers has been changed.
    – Alex
    Nov 16 at 8:29

















up vote
10
down vote













It seems from the introduction to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that only humans are called witches or wizards. In a section there titled "What is a Beast?", Newt Scamander indicates that non-human magical beings are not wizards:




In a spirit of friendship he summoned all 'beings' to meet with the wizards at a summit to discuss new magical laws and found to his intense dismay that he had miscalculated. The meeting hall was crammed with goblins who had brought with them as many two-legged creatures as they could find.







Embittered, Burddock Muldoon forswore any further attempts to integrate non-wizard members of the magical community into the Wizards' Council.




Additionally, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione overhear Griphook explaining why he is on the run in Deathly Hallows, Griphook clearly indicates that goblins are not wizards:




"You had a false impression," said the higher-voiced of the goblins. "We take no sides. this is a wizards' war."




Earlier in Deathly Hallows we see that house-elves are distinguished from wizards even though they can do magic (sometimes even greater than wizards):




"Elf magic isn't like wizard's magic, is it?" said Ron. "I mean, they can Apparate and Disapparate in and out of Hogwarts when we can't."




In Order of the Phoenix the centaurs clearly indicate to Harry and Hermione that they are not wizards:




"Perhaps you thought us pretty talking horses? We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognize your laws, we do not acknowledge your superiority, we are—"




Thus, we have examples showing that all three primary types of magical beings with human intelligence are not considered wizards. Indeed this seems to be the message of the statues in the Ministry of Magic in Order of the Phoenix:




A group of golden statues, larger than life-size, stood in the middle of a circular pool. Tallest of them all was a noble-looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up in the air. Grouped around him were a beautiful witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf. The last three were looking adoringly up at the witch and wizard.







share|improve this answer





















  • Apologies for changing the accepted answer but the other answer has now provided a quote which states explicitly that non-humans can't carry wands->only wizards can carry wands -> therefore only humans are wizards.
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 7:59






  • 1




    @LioElbammalf You don't have to apologize. There is nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer even when the answers haven't been changed; there is certainly nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer when one of the answers has been changed.
    – Alex
    Nov 16 at 8:29















up vote
10
down vote










up vote
10
down vote









It seems from the introduction to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that only humans are called witches or wizards. In a section there titled "What is a Beast?", Newt Scamander indicates that non-human magical beings are not wizards:




In a spirit of friendship he summoned all 'beings' to meet with the wizards at a summit to discuss new magical laws and found to his intense dismay that he had miscalculated. The meeting hall was crammed with goblins who had brought with them as many two-legged creatures as they could find.







Embittered, Burddock Muldoon forswore any further attempts to integrate non-wizard members of the magical community into the Wizards' Council.




Additionally, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione overhear Griphook explaining why he is on the run in Deathly Hallows, Griphook clearly indicates that goblins are not wizards:




"You had a false impression," said the higher-voiced of the goblins. "We take no sides. this is a wizards' war."




Earlier in Deathly Hallows we see that house-elves are distinguished from wizards even though they can do magic (sometimes even greater than wizards):




"Elf magic isn't like wizard's magic, is it?" said Ron. "I mean, they can Apparate and Disapparate in and out of Hogwarts when we can't."




In Order of the Phoenix the centaurs clearly indicate to Harry and Hermione that they are not wizards:




"Perhaps you thought us pretty talking horses? We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognize your laws, we do not acknowledge your superiority, we are—"




Thus, we have examples showing that all three primary types of magical beings with human intelligence are not considered wizards. Indeed this seems to be the message of the statues in the Ministry of Magic in Order of the Phoenix:




A group of golden statues, larger than life-size, stood in the middle of a circular pool. Tallest of them all was a noble-looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up in the air. Grouped around him were a beautiful witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf. The last three were looking adoringly up at the witch and wizard.







share|improve this answer












It seems from the introduction to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that only humans are called witches or wizards. In a section there titled "What is a Beast?", Newt Scamander indicates that non-human magical beings are not wizards:




In a spirit of friendship he summoned all 'beings' to meet with the wizards at a summit to discuss new magical laws and found to his intense dismay that he had miscalculated. The meeting hall was crammed with goblins who had brought with them as many two-legged creatures as they could find.







Embittered, Burddock Muldoon forswore any further attempts to integrate non-wizard members of the magical community into the Wizards' Council.




Additionally, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione overhear Griphook explaining why he is on the run in Deathly Hallows, Griphook clearly indicates that goblins are not wizards:




"You had a false impression," said the higher-voiced of the goblins. "We take no sides. this is a wizards' war."




Earlier in Deathly Hallows we see that house-elves are distinguished from wizards even though they can do magic (sometimes even greater than wizards):




"Elf magic isn't like wizard's magic, is it?" said Ron. "I mean, they can Apparate and Disapparate in and out of Hogwarts when we can't."




In Order of the Phoenix the centaurs clearly indicate to Harry and Hermione that they are not wizards:




"Perhaps you thought us pretty talking horses? We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognize your laws, we do not acknowledge your superiority, we are—"




Thus, we have examples showing that all three primary types of magical beings with human intelligence are not considered wizards. Indeed this seems to be the message of the statues in the Ministry of Magic in Order of the Phoenix:




A group of golden statues, larger than life-size, stood in the middle of a circular pool. Tallest of them all was a noble-looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up in the air. Grouped around him were a beautiful witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf. The last three were looking adoringly up at the witch and wizard.








share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Nov 11 at 15:25









Alex

11.4k12963




11.4k12963












  • Apologies for changing the accepted answer but the other answer has now provided a quote which states explicitly that non-humans can't carry wands->only wizards can carry wands -> therefore only humans are wizards.
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 7:59






  • 1




    @LioElbammalf You don't have to apologize. There is nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer even when the answers haven't been changed; there is certainly nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer when one of the answers has been changed.
    – Alex
    Nov 16 at 8:29




















  • Apologies for changing the accepted answer but the other answer has now provided a quote which states explicitly that non-humans can't carry wands->only wizards can carry wands -> therefore only humans are wizards.
    – Lio Elbammalf
    Nov 16 at 7:59






  • 1




    @LioElbammalf You don't have to apologize. There is nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer even when the answers haven't been changed; there is certainly nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer when one of the answers has been changed.
    – Alex
    Nov 16 at 8:29


















Apologies for changing the accepted answer but the other answer has now provided a quote which states explicitly that non-humans can't carry wands->only wizards can carry wands -> therefore only humans are wizards.
– Lio Elbammalf
Nov 16 at 7:59




Apologies for changing the accepted answer but the other answer has now provided a quote which states explicitly that non-humans can't carry wands->only wizards can carry wands -> therefore only humans are wizards.
– Lio Elbammalf
Nov 16 at 7:59




1




1




@LioElbammalf You don't have to apologize. There is nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer even when the answers haven't been changed; there is certainly nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer when one of the answers has been changed.
– Alex
Nov 16 at 8:29






@LioElbammalf You don't have to apologize. There is nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer even when the answers haven't been changed; there is certainly nothing wrong with changing an accepted answer when one of the answers has been changed.
– Alex
Nov 16 at 8:29




















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