J.K. Rowling’s extensive study of alchemy influenced the magical world of Harry Potter, even if it was rarely used in the books.

No matter how much we appreciate J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts novels, they will fall short of the efforts that went into creating the intricate wizarding world. From crafting characters to learning about magic, Rowling’s brilliant mind even had to brew a cauldron of knowledge about alchemy to establish parameters in her stories.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling in an interview with The Today Show

Although fans believe that J.K. Rowling scarcely sprinkled the essence of alchemy through her novels despite unbound scope for potions and spells, the British author had to learn quite a lot about the capabilities and limitations of the magical discipline.

J.K. Rowling’s Deep Dive into Alchemy Shaped the Magical Logic of Harry Potter

Flipping through the pages of Harry Potter, we often stop to admire the details that went behind shaping the geographical locations and the characters in the novels. However, the fact that we often overlook is the brilliant logic and accuracy behind the magic showcased in between the lines. From intricate details about Victorian Flower language allegedly used by Professor Snape to convey messages, to Hermione brewing Polyjuice Potion, the novels subtly hinted at the magic of alchemy.

Well, why not? J.K. Rowling, the literary genius behind the Harry Potter saga, evidently went deeper into the studies of alchemy to set the limitations and internal logic of her magical world. According to different sets of interviews, Rowling thus opened up about how her knowledge of alchemy shaped the wizarding world. Speaking about the influence of magic and color, Rowling noted via Wizarding World,

Colours also played their part in the naming of Hagrid and Dumbledore, whose first names are Rubeus (red) and Albus (white) respectively. The choice was a nod to alchemy, which is so important in the first Harry Potter book, where ‘the red’ and ‘the white’ are essential mystical components of the process. The symbolism of the colours in this context has mystic meaning, representing different stages of the alchemic process (which many people associate with a spiritual transformation). 

J.K. Rowling in a interview with Scholastic

While such intricate detailing from her knowledge about alchemy influenced the Harry Potter novels and their characters, J.K. Rowling was asked by The Herald about why the understanding of alchemy was so important to her. Even though the direct use of the magical discipline is scarce throughout the novels and beyond common people’s understanding, Rowling noted that it was important to weave a flawless storyline.

I’ve never wanted to be a witch, but an alchemist, now that’s a different matter. To invent this wizard world, I’ve learned a ridiculous amount about alchemy. Perhaps much of it I’ll never use in the books, but I have to know in detail what magic can and cannot do in order to set the parameters and establish the stories’ internal logic.

J.K. Rowling’s candid revelation seemingly hinted that in her quest to craft the enchanting world of Hogwarts, she took a detour through the world of alchemical lore.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was the Tip of J.K. Rowling’s Alchemical Iceberg

To be fair, despite the magical scope for alchemy in the Harry Potter saga, J.K. Rowling seemingly sprinkled its essence scarcely throughout the series. Therefore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone turned out to be the only book that showcased the pinnacle of alchemical ambition. Despite Rowling’s in-depth exploration of the magical discipline, her knowledge seemed to evaporate as quickly as the ingredients in a complicated potion recipe.

The depth of J.K. Rowling’s alchemical knowledge, while rich and detailed, didn’t entirely seep through the later books. In fact, it remained as rare as a well-brewed Felix Felicis. So was the author’s knowledge indeed merely for the show, or was it beyond the reader’s comprehension? Well, it seems that Rowling did use alchemy throughout her novels, just that it was neatly hidden behind the thin veil of subtlety.

Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid | Warner Bros

Take for example when J.K. Rowling revealed how alchemy helped her name her characters like Rubeus Hagrid and Albus Dumbledore. Similarly, alchemy also helped her create the persona of her characters. According to the very snippet taken from Wizarding World, the author had explained how the characters’ names as well as their characteristics were woven from her knowledge of alchemy.

Where my two characters were concerned, I named them for the alchemical colours to convey their opposing but complementary natures: red meaning passion (or emotion); white for asceticism; Hagrid being the earthy, warm, physical man, lord of the forest; Dumbledore the spiritual theoretician, brilliant, idealized and somewhat detached. Each is a necessary counterpoint to the other as Harry seeks father figures in his new world.

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | Warner Bros

The author had indeed set the parameters and internal logic of her magical world through alchemy. J.K. Rowling’s meticulous approach therefore ensured that every spell and its colors alongside potions and characters had its place in the magical schema, grounded in a set of rules, even if readers never fully comprehended the extent of her alchemical studies that reflected in the plots.