Magic Wand Stories
Magic wands have made a comeback. In the imagined world, wands have immense power. They have been owned by fairies, witches, wizards, sorcerer and sorceresses. Magic wands have defeated enemies and conquered worlds through strength and sorcery. They have cast spells, unleashed evil and aided the hero/heroine. Wands have cast their magical charm on children and adults readers alike since stories began.
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Facts
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Magic wands are found in fairy tales, myth, legend and folklore. In Roman mythology, Mercury carried a wand that has become a familiar symbol in the medical world. In fairy tales, the wand is the catalyst for the story. In fantasy and science fiction, it is the instrument to the objective. With a magic wand, the holder stands boldly to strike down his enemy. In all genres, the magic wand is used for both good and evil.
History
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Use of the magic wand can be traced back to ancient Egyptian mythology. In classical Greco-Roman mythology it was called the caduceus. The Greek goddess Circe used a wand to turn men into animals. The French writer Charles Perrault introduced the magic wand in his fairy tales, Cinderella and Donkey Skin. Shakespeare adopted the magic wand in The Tempest. The Harry Potter series reinstated the world of wizards and wands, lending them a more modern twist.
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Significance
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The magic wand assists the hero/heroine by removing obstacles. It is the symbol of healing and magical powers. With a flick of her wrist, the fairy godmother improves Cinderella's circumstance. In Narnia, Jadis the White Witch uses her gold wand to turn foe into stone statues. The elder wand or "Deathstick" in the Harry Potter is utilized for destructive purposes. In the Wizard of Oz, Glenda helps Dorothy acquire the ruby slippers with her magic wand.
Types
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In fiction, magic wands are made from an array of materials: wood, ivory, metals such as iron or bronze, gold and crystal. In ancient folklore and tales, the wands are adorned with depictions of serpents, symbols and deities. In "Donkey Skin," Perrault adorns a wand with an agate crutch-handle. The wand of Mercury consists of two intertwined serpents, topped by two wings. For a stage magician in stories, the wand appears black with a white tip.
Function
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The magic wand is considered sacred and powerful. It is employed for spell casting, magic and sorcery. In Scottish myths, the wand transforms pillars into warriors. Fairy tales use the implement positively by removing the hero's troubles, keeping him safe. Dark magicians, sorcerers and witches used the stick to unleash evil, such as Gandalf in the Hobbit when he fights goblins. Science fiction stories use the magic wand for dramatic dueling scenes.
Features
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Wands are a symbol of influence and are often adorned as such. From Shakespeare, the wand of Prospero flashes like a crystal. In fairy tales, wands (Glinda of Oz, Cinderella's fairy godmother) are topped with a star, usually sparkling. In fantasy, an orb of crystal or decorative end piece (Gandalf, Merlin, Magician's apprentice) is often seen. In the Harry Potter series, some wands are garnished with a single phoenix feather, dragon's heartstring and unicorn tail hair.
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