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AUGUST 24, 2003 at 4:45 PM
Posted by JAMES
Source: Middle East Online via The Leaky Cauldron
Ahmed Fadl Shablool of Egypt provides his evidence on some of the Eastern themes found in the Harry Potter books. Namely, he discusses Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and details his precise uncovering of Eastern material.
Shablool focuses
on the significance of the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone in the debut Potter novel, as the same magical essence is discussed in historical Eastern texts.
According to the Concise Arabic Encyclopedia, Alexandria was the home of the Philosopher’s Stone and the Elixir of Immortality that transform base metals into precious ones, namely gold, and brings back youth. This old art originated in Egypt, others say in China, in the third or fifth century BC. It is associated with astrology and magic. It was called old chemistry, or alchemy, and reached the Arabs in the eighth century to stay with them until the 12th century. It was then transferred to Europe through the translation of the works of famous Arab chemists like Khaled bin Yazid, Jaber bin Hayan, ThouNoon AL-Masri, Al-Tughraei, Zakariya Al-Razi, and others. Symbolism characterized this science-art throughout the Middle Ages, and it was shrouded in secrecy.
Jaber bin Hayan was the first Arab scientist to practice chemistry. He lived in Baghdad and Kufa at the end of the eighth and beginning of the ninth centuries. His work, which exceeded 80 books, was translated into Latin, and considered to be the most important treatise on chemistry at the time. He wrote about metals, their oxides and compounds, nitric, sulfuric, vinegaric acids and alkaline, and chemical processes such as filtering and purification through crystallization, and distillation which were influential in developing chemistry and introduced the ideas of experimentation and the use of laboratories. Jaber bin Hayan recommended in his books that ‘researchers’ should be precise and follow strict rules in their experiments and be patient during their conduct. He believed in the theory of transferring base metals into gold and that mercury and sulfur are the two base elements in nature.
...Were these stories present in Rowling’s mind, or in her sub-conscience, when she wrote Harry Potter?
Later in this (admittedly convincing and interesting) piece, Shablool concluded that one of the core functions bestowed to a keeper of the Philosopher's Stone is to "keep it safe and shrouded in mystery and puzzles." That is exactly what Albus Dumbledore and the staff of Hogwarts accomplished in the Potter novel, correct?
Note: While this article is a slightly faulty translation from native Arabic, it is still excellently styled. Check it out.
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Metamorphmagus
Points: 37946
tonks black says:
That is a good question a bout whether or not it was all her imagination.
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 4:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 979
Butterbeer says:
I thik JKR did have this in mind when she worte the book.
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 4:50 PM EST
Witch
Points: 959
Alcestis1 says:
I think this article just goes to prove that JK Rowling has not only a vivd imagination but an ability to encorporate so many different ideas from past and present, from the UK to the rest of the world. An amazing woman!
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 5:13 PM EST
Head House Elf
Points: 2756
Dobby says:
Alcestis1- i am in total agreement! She probably uses more things from the past than that what we know!
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 5:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1826
snapelupinfan says:
It's very interesting to find out about the background history of the philosophers stone. I also believe that good authors are able to use stories like this one about the Philosophers Stone and create a new and fascinating story.
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 5:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
Slytherin_Punk says:
I really do think it was all here imagination. Granted there were a lot of things she needed to reserch and everything has a history but the characthers i beleive were all her.
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 5:39 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2881
Chogiiiirl says:
snapelupinfan I agree with your point. I think it is interesting to learn about ancient stories of the philosopher's stone. It is also good to know that JK has used this story line to create something enchanting for us to read now. Ms. Rowling has really done her homework, as she incorporates so many different legends, religions, and mythology into her work, but has still developed something unique with her excellent writing skills and plot development.
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 7:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 742
TigerEyez says:
actually I think she got the Philosopher's Stone from the story of the real Nicholas Flamel
Happy 15th bday to Rupert! Happy 16th bday to me!
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 9:42 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 771
Dragan Glas says:
Greetings,
As I posted in another discussion - "Another bad review for Harry" - authors draw on their knowledge of the world and their experience of life.
JKR would have known about the well-known concept of the Philosopher's Stone and it's alleged discoverer/creator, Nicholas Flamel.
She'd have had to, in order to write the first book in the series.
Alchemy gave way to the more practical chemistry just as astrology gave way to astronomy.
As always, the ignorance of superstition is clarified by the science of reason, resulting in knowledge and understanding.
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 9:59 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
Whoa thats pretty cool, i wonder if JK knew or if it was a freaky coincidence? i bet she knew but that is some excellent knowledge.
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 10:21 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 547
ivanlo says:
Actually I do remember reading a bit about this a little while ago. Those ancient Iraquis where pretty advanced in their time weren't they. Arabs in their golden age did invaluble research in so many fields like biology, astronamy, mathematics, architecturally, and so much more; all this while europe was still in the dark ages.
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 11:04 PM EST
Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
Yes, yes and yes! JKR does have a wide knowledge base and pulls her ideas and concepts from what she knows. So part of the story comes from Eastern beliefs, some from others. As we have all already concluded - JKR is well read and extremely knowledgeable about the myriad of words, thoughts and ideals she chooses to be a part of Harry Potter. The research she puts into each book is extraordinary - which is what gives the series an aspect of believability - it could possibly happen, or even be occuring right now in our world.
The mix of beliefs, languages and ideals is what makes the series captivating, and read by all, not just by some. Harry Potter is a character for the masses!
Posted Aug 24, 2003 at 11:06 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1990
HarrysGran says:
Yeah, there's so much mythology and ancient legend mixed up in the books everybody finds himself there. I wonder what I've already missed, there are so many hidden meanings.
It must be fun being in school today and make it a subject in English lessons to interpret one of the books. I guess it's been done already.
Posted Aug 25, 2003 at 9:45 AM EST
Student
Points: 204
Bryak says:
I think Chogirl tapped into the root of it. JK bases a lot of her writing on classical mythology. So just about any culture that has a rich mythological background (Greek, Scandanavian, Egyptian, Arab, Persian, etc.)is going to have references or associations with the book. Once again, it is an example of how universal the books are.
Posted Aug 25, 2003 at 10:48 AM EST
Witch
Points: 712
harryroxmysocks says:
Thats cool, I wonder if she thought of it herself.
Posted Aug 25, 2003 at 10:15 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 342
Precious says:
I think J.K Rowling has a very vivid imagination and this just goes to prove it.
Posted Aug 25, 2003 at 11:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
very interesting Article though I was more interested in the chemistry parts then the Harry potter parts.
Posted Aug 26, 2003 at 9:46 PM EST
Astro Zombie
Points: 2601
Fallen Bomb says:
Good point and quite interesting. But why look all that up?
Posted Aug 26, 2003 at 11:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 684
Malakite says:
Rowling herself said she used mythology, classics, etc. in her books. Of course she did! She put her own twiston things, but it's also true that people don't like when you throw off all literary influences and just make things up at random!
Posted Sep 15, 2003 at 10:58 AM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
This just shows how JK Rolwing's imagination is so wild and vivid. It is cool that she can incorporate such themes in her books.
Posted Jul 17, 2004 at 5:17 PM EST