The 4 Hogwarts Houses

Explanation: The lion — animal of courage and royalty. Gryffindors are known for their bravery, their chivalry, and their tendency to charge headlong into action. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and the entire Weasley family are in Gryffindor.

Explanation: The serpent. Slytherins value ambition, cunning, determination, and pure-blood heritage. Their founder Salazar spoke Parseltongue. The house produces great wizards but also has a dark reputation because of the many Dark wizards who''ve come out of its ranks.

Explanation: The eagle. An interesting detail: in the films, the emblem was changed to a raven (the name "Ravenclaw" contains "raven"). Ravenclaws value intelligence, erudition, creativity, and eccentricity. Luna Lovegood and Cho Chang are in Ravenclaw.

Explanation: The badger. Hufflepuffs value loyalty, hard work, patience, and fair play. Helga Hufflepuff, their founder, said she accepted all students other houses rejected — "all those of equal worth, I''ll take them all". Cedric Diggory and Nymphadora Tonks are in Hufflepuff.

Explanation: Red and gold. The striped red-and-gold scarves are iconic in the films. The common room is draped in crimson velvet, and the Quidditch team wears the same red. A golden lion sits on a red background on their crest.

Explanation: Green and silver. These colours evoke both serpents (green) and the pure-blood nobility Salazar valued (silver). The common room, located in the dungeons beneath the lake, glows with an underwater greenish light.

Explanation: Helga Hufflepuff. Born in Wales about 1,000 years ago, she was known for her kindness, generosity, and culinary talent (she created the magical recipes still used in Hogwarts'' kitchens). Her precious cup would later be turned into a Horcrux by Voldemort.

Explanation: Rowena Ravenclaw. She is said to have designed the floor plan of Hogwarts Castle herself. Her diadem (inscribed "Wit beyond measure is man''s greatest treasure") becomes a Voldemort Horcrux — the Grey Lady, her own ghost daughter Helena, reveals its hiding place to Harry.

Explanation: Ravenclaw. Her eccentricity, her wild theories (Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, Nargles) and her love of creativity make her the perfect archetype of the house. Her father Xenophilius also runs The Quibbler. Luna later marries Rolf Scamander, Newt''s grandson.

Explanation: Hufflepuff. Cedric is the model student: handsome, kind, fair, excellent at Quidditch, Prefect and Head Boy. His death during the Tournament in Book 4 marks the end of the saga''s innocence. Hufflepuff mourns him for a long time.