With seven books, eight films, an upcoming TV series and an entire media franchise to its name, by J.K. Rowling is one of the most influential sagas of all time. It’s been almost three decades since readers were first enchanted by these magical stories, and new generations of readers and listeners are discovering them to this day.
The series follows Harry Potter, a young boy who receives a mysterious letter on his 11th birthday from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With this correspondence comes some startling news; Harry is a famous wizard in the magical world he never knew existed. So begins his journey, embarking toward a fate he barely understands, armed with a wand, stubborn determination and the help of his friends.
But the story of Hogwarts begins long before Harry was first sorted into one of its four magical houses. We know that Harry is sorted into Gryffindor, but how well do you know its history?
Here’s our essential guide to Gryffindor house, from its founding and notable members to the traits the house is best known for.
What are Gryffindors like?
Just like Godric Gryffindor envisioned, Gryffindors are said to be courageous, brave and determined, acting with chivalry and purity of heart. It’s apt, then, that the house emblem is a lion: a majestic creature known for its courage. They are determined, sometimes rebellious and stand up for themselves and their beliefs in the face of danger. There are countless examples of such famed Gryffindor traits time and again throughout the series—here are just a few of our favourite moments.
NevilleLongbottom demonstrates courage
Neville is perhaps one of the series’ most unsung heroes: Shy and clumsy, he may not seem like an obvious choice for Gryffindor. But when the time comes for Neville to stand up for what he believes in, his true character shines through and his courageous nature is on full display. And that bravery does not go unnoticed by Albus Dumbledore.
From Chapter Seventeen: The Man with Two Faces
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Hermione Granger demonstrates daring
Surely, it may seem that the cleverest witch in Harry’s year, Hermione Granger, would be a natural fit for Ravenclaw, “where those of wit and learning will always find their kind.” As much as Hermione prioritizes her education and school record, however, she is just as determined to protect her friends and bravely fight for what’s right. She uses her cleverness and knack for logical deduction to courageously pursue truth and justice. This is on full display in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as she sets off on a dangerous fact-finding mission.
Ron hails from a long, long line of Gryffindors—both his parents and his five older brothers were all sorted into the house before him and his sister, Ginny, who joined in his second year at Hogwarts. It’s not hard to see why the Weasley clan made a home there: Determined, loyal and honest, their chivalrous demeanors were an apt fit for the house. Ron’s sense of chivalry is on full display a number of times throughout the series, whether playing a high-stakes game of Wizard’s Chess or standing up for his friends.
From Chapter Sixteen: Through the Trapdoor
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Harry Potter demonstrates purity of heart
Sure, our hero Harry Potter is plenty courageous and daring, sometimes to a fault. Harry really stands out, however, for his heart. Even when facing the most treacherous of odds and the weight of the wizarding world’s high expectations, Harry remains kind, decent, and loyal. His peculiar first meeting with a house-elf named Dobby demonstrates what sets him apart from other great wizards.
From Chapter Two: Dobby's Warning
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Fred and George Weasley demonstrate rebelliousness
Ron’s elder twin brothers Fred and George are best known for their over-the-top pranks, tricksy spells, potions and charms that lighten the mood—and often land them in trouble. There’s no shortage of such shenanigans in the series, but their invention of sickly sweets meant to get you out of class truly show the range of their imagination.
Chapter Six: The Most Noble and Ancient House of Black
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What is the history of the Sorting Hat?
Sometime around the 10th Century, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded by Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Each founder was the head of their eponymous house and selected students for that house based on the traits they most valued and wished to nurture in students.
When the question of how to handle sorting in the future arose, a solution came in the form of the Sorting Hat—an enchanted pointed wizard’s hat, imbued with the founders’ knowledge. From then on, the Sorting Hat would perceive and predict the capabilities and potential of students to sort them into one of the four houses.
From Chapter Seven: The Sorting Hat
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The Sorting Hat isn’t the only relic that Godric Gryffindor left behind. He also left what came to be known as the Sword of Gryffindor, a goblin-made sword with a hilt encrusted with rubies. As we learn in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the sword is said to appear whenever a "true Gryffindor” is in need of it.
Who is Gryffindor’s house ghost?
Like the other houses of Hogwarts, Gryffindor also has a house ghost. That ghost’s name is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, more commonly referred to as “Nearly Headless Nick.”
From Chapter Seven: The Sorting Hat
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As Hermione once did, you too might wonder how someone can be nearly headless; the answer is a botched beheading. Though the details surrounding Nick’s arrest and execution aren’t detailed extensively, we know he was sentenced to die by decapitation. The death part stuck—the beheading part, not quite so. Curious about what prompted it? You’ll have to dive into this curated collection of stories From the Wizarding Archive.
Our favorite notable Gryffindors
Harry Potter: Our titular character, The Boy Who Lived, begged the Sorting Hat not to place him in Slytherin, and the Hat ultimately placed him in Gryffindor, “where dwell the brave at heart.”
From Chapter Seven: The Sorting Hat
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Ron Weasley: One of Harry’s best friends. Ron is a courageous and loyal wizard with a great sense of humor who hails from a large and spirited family of red-headed wizards.
From Chapter Thirty-One: O.W.L.s
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Hermione Granger: Another of Harry’s best friends, Hermione is a brilliant, talented muggle-born witch. But beyond mere books and cleverness, she proves to be a brave and faithful friend.
From Chapter Sixteen: Through the Trapdoor
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The Weasleys: By the time Ron gets to Hogwarts, he’s the eighth—and not the last—member of the Weasley family to be sorted into Gryffindor house. His parents, Arthur and Molly, were both Gryffindors, as were Ron’s five older brothers (Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George) and younger sister Ginny.
From Chapter Four: At Flourish and Blotts
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Neville Longbottom: A clumsy and often forgetful but well-meaning friend to Harry, Neville possesses a gift for herbology. Though often underestimated, Neville is brave and rebellious when it comes to defending his friends.
From Chapter Sixteen: Through the Trapdoor
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Minerva McGonagall: Professor McGonagall is head of Gryffindor house and a Transfiguration professor during Harry’s tenure at Hogwarts. She was once a gifted Quidditch player who played for the Gryffindor team. Though she seems stern and formidable, she also has quite a sharp wit.
From Chapter Six: Talons and Tea Leaves
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Albus Dumbledore: Widely considered one of the greatest headmasters of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Dumbledore is also one of the most powerful and influential wizards of all time.
From Chapter Six: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
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Lily and James Potter: Harry’s parents were also Gryffindors in their day. Harry seems to have inherited his father’s habit of getting into trouble. That said, he also took after James and Lily in their pure-hearted courage.
From Chapter Twelve: The Patronus
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What is the Gryffindor common room like?
If there was one location from the books we wholeheartedly wish was real, it’s the Gryffindor common room. Cosy, warm, and oh-so-inviting, it would make for the perfect space to unwind and catch up on some listening. Curling up with an audiobook in one of the room’s plush armchairs or in front of the fireplace would be a pure delight.
The Gryffindor common room isn’t just great for a bit of restful listening—it’s also the perfect gathering place for students, whether to study, catch up with friends or to host a raucous celebration after a Gryffindor Quidditch victory.
From Chapter Seven: The Sorting Hat
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The entrance to the Gryffindor common room is hidden behind the portrait of The Fat Lady in Gryffindor Tower, where students must provide a password to be let inside. Once the correct password is given, the portrait swings open to reveal an opening in the wall that leads to the common room. During Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, that password is “caput draconis” which is Latin for “dragon’s head.” The password changes at least once a year, sometimes more often in times of heightened security.
