What comes to your mind when you think of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?

• Is it the enchanted Corridors? Or
• Moving Staircases? Or
• The Great Hall? Or
• A thousand years of Magical Education?

But the foundation of this great school lies with its four founders – Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. Each of these founders left a lasting impact on the wizarding World.

Today on LumosLore let’s deep dive into their untold history, peeling layers of myth and legend to explore the magic behind these famous portraits.

Godric Gryffindor

Born in Godric’s Hollow, he is remembered as the champion of courage. Gryffindor was said to have Courage, Determination, and Strength above all other qualities, qualities which he favoured while selecting the students into his own house.

The founders were unsure and worried about the sorting of students into their housed once they are dead. One day while the founders were discussing this Gryffindor took off his hat and the four of them enchanted it so that it can sort the students into houses. It was from then on became the sorting hat.

It is unknown how or when Gryffindor died, though he left a lot of legacy behind, including a Goblin made Sword encrusted with rubies and his own name engraved near the hilt of the sword.

Helga Hufflepuff

Often overshadowed by the other 3 founders, Helga Hufflepuff was the heart and soul of Hogwarts. Born in the Lush valleys of Wales, her legacy goes far beyond her reputation for fairness and Hard work.

She is a gifted witch for food related charms , her recipes are still used by the house elves of Hogwarts who are working the kitchens.

A Small golden cup , had been passed down from her distant descendant Hepzibah Smith, a relic with high importance in the History of the school.

Helga favoured loyalty, honesty and hard work as qualities for selecting the students into her house.

Rovena Ravenclaw

The misty Highlands of Scotland gave birth to the Architect of Intellect , Rovena Ravenclaw. Legends tell us that she designed most of the magical architecture of Hogwarts including the moving staircases.

Her relic the ‘Diadem’, said to enhance the wisdom of the wearer, is one of the most storied magical artifact in the Wizarding History.

Rowena selected her students who are full of wisdom and intelligence, so the Ravenclaw house values a sharp mind, wisdom and creativity in her students.

Salazar Slytherin

Perhaps the most divisive of the four, Salazar Slytherin came from East England. He was a Parselmouth and a master of the dark arts.

His insistence on keeping the magical education among the all-magic families or the Pure Bloods led to rifts with the other founders leading to his early departure from Hogwarts.

He valued students who are cunning and ambitious in the Slytherin house.

He famously created the Chamber of Secrets with a deadly basilisk inside to purge schools of all those who are not worthy to study magic.

Together the four founders created one of the best schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry that balance courage, loyalty, wisdom and ambition.

Which founder’s story resonates most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Until Next Time – Lumos!!!