6. Wizards Weren’t Necessarily Sorcerers
JK Rowling’s presentation of wizards as magical beings who, more often than not, are indistinguishable from muggles might have some people wondering what the basis was for the creature. What is particularly surprising is that she cast wizards as the male counterparts to witches, when historically, the two have little in common. While witches were people (either male or female) who sold their souls to the devil in exchange for magical powers, wizards were a part of popular folklore in Europe as men who were particularly wise. Their legends also existed hundreds of years before those of witches.
Merlin, the quintessential wizard, was a sorcerer believed in Medieval England to aid King Arthur in his quests. His likes can be found in JRR Tolkien’s wizard, Gandalf, who was really created to represent the Norse god Oden. A wizard was more than a sorcerer, though, as the word itself comes from the word “wys,” meaning “wise.” These powerful beings weren’t just conjurers; they were more akin to prophets who were exceedingly wise and could even see into the future. Perhaps the only wizard in Harry Potter who resembles the original wizard, Merlin, is Albus Dumbledore, with his old beard and ability to see further into situations than other people can.
Today, when people refer to someone as a wizard, they tend to mean that the person is exceptionally skilled (or wise) in that particular area. For example, a math wiz (or wizard) is someone who is uniquely qualified in mathematics.
