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Veela
Aug 9, 2004 8:33:55 GMT -5
Post by Blackhorse on Aug 9, 2004 8:33:55 GMT -5
I was watching an interesting programme yesterday about the Greek legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece, and I made an observation.
In the legend, the Sirens are beautiful women, who sing songs which enchant sailors on to the rocks, but they are in fact savage bird creatures. I likened them to the Veela from the fourth HP book. They are beautiful dancing women, with the ability to enchant men (they make Harry try and jump off the Quidditch stadium) but when angered, they become vicious eagle creatures.
I wonder if JK Rowling got her inspiration for the Veela from the Sirens?
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Raindragon
Professor
Ron, stop looking so worried!
Posts: 60
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Veela
Aug 9, 2004 8:44:34 GMT -5
Post by Raindragon on Aug 9, 2004 8:44:34 GMT -5
According to a book I've got, Veela are the nymphs and dryads - nature spirits - of Greek mythology, made into local spirits. I quote: "Veela, seductive nature spirits, orginate in legends of Central Europe. They are beautiful young women - or appear to be such. In some stories they are said to be ghosts of unbaptized women whose souls cannot leave earth. Their beauty is astonishing and can make men act foolishly. They have long hair, so fair it seems white." So, according to this, Sirens could be the Greek version of the Veela whereas the Veela themselves are a European adaptation. I don't know if that makes sense or not and I know you can't believe everything in books but I thought I'd just share that with you
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Veela
Aug 9, 2004 9:00:26 GMT -5
Post by Blackhorse on Aug 9, 2004 9:00:26 GMT -5
Hmmm... interesting. The Veela and Sirens just seemed too similar to be a coincedence - both beautiful women who are actually birds, that have the ability to enchant males.
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Veela
Oct 17, 2004 0:18:47 GMT -5
Post by BlackWolf on Oct 17, 2004 0:18:47 GMT -5
well it seems convincing so i think she did get her idea from the greeks
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