First things first, if you haven’t yet discovered your wand, here’s a link to our test written by J.K. Rowling. And remember... the wand chooses you, not the other way around.
Now you’ve discovered your personal wand, just like Harry did in Mr Ollivander’s shop in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, you most likely want to find out a bit more about what your wand type would mean for you in the wizarding world…
The most common core and wood combinations among Harry Potter fans
- Unicorn core and sycamore wood – most common
- Unicorn core and laurel wood
- Dragon core and sycamore wood
- Phoenix core and sycamore wood
- Unicorn core and alder wood
- Unicorn core and vine wood
- Phoenix core and laurel wood
- Dragon core and laurel wood
- Unicorn core and redwood
- Unicorn core and hazel wood
The rarest core and wood combinations among Harry Potter fans
- Phoenix and poplar
- Dragon and poplar
- Unicorn and poplar
Ollivander uses three cores, which does your wand have?
Mr Ollivander used only three substances for wand cores. Three he deemed of enough quality to give the illustrious name of Ollivander: unicorn hair, dragon heartstring and phoenix feather.
Unicorn hair
Wizarding world characters who share this core: Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Cedric Diggory
If your wand is unicorn hair, this core, according to Ollivander’s notes, ‘generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. They are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. The most faithful of all wands, they usually remain attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch of wizard. Minor disadvantages of a unicorn hair core are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may “die” and need replacing.’
Dragon heartstring
Wizarding world characters who share this core: Hermione Granger, Bellatrix Lestrange, Viktor Krum
If your wand is dragon heartstring, this core as a rule produces ‘wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be the easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.’
Phoenix feather
Wizarding world characters who share this core: Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, Silvanus Kettleburn
This is the rarest core type of our Wizarding World fans, and in the wizarding world itself: ‘Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this.
They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.'
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What type of wood is your wand made from?
These are the top ten wand woods from those who have discovered their wands through WizardingWorld.com (and previously on Pottermore). If your wand wood doesn’t make it on to this list don’t worry – you can read all about the types of wood in full here.
Sycamore – most popular
• A questing wand; eager for new experience and loses brilliance if engaged in the mundane.
• May burst into flame if allowed to become ‘bored’.
• Ideal owner is curious, vital and adventurous.
• When paired with its ideal owner, it demonstrates a capacity to learn and adapt that earns it a rightful place among the world’s most highly-prized wand woods.
Laurel – 2nd most popular
• It is said that a laurel wand cannot perform a dishonourable act, although Ollivander has known them to perform powerful and sometimes lethal magic in the quest for glory.
• Seems unable to tolerate laziness in a possessor, and in such conditions, it is most easily and willingly worn away.
• Otherwise it will cleave happily to its first match forever and can issue a spontaneous lightning strike if another witch or wizard attempts to steal it.
Alder – 3rd most popular
• Although an unyielding wood, its ideal owner is helpful, considerate and likeable.
• When happily placed, an alder wand becomes a magnificent, loyal helpmate.
• Best suited to non-verbal spell work, whence comes its reputation for being suitable only for the most advanced witches and wizards.
Hazel – 4th most popular
• A sensitive wand, hazel often reflects its owner’s emotional state and works best for a master who understands and can manage their own feelings.
• Capable of outstanding magic in the hands of the skilful.
• So devoted to its owner that it often ‘wilts’ at the end of its master’s life – if the core is also unicorn hair, the wand will almost certainly completely ‘die’.
• Hazel wands have the unique ability to detect water underground.
Vine – 5th most popular
• Owners are nearly always those who seek a greater purpose, who have a vision beyond the ordinary and who frequently astound those who think they know them best.
• Vine wands seem strongly attracted to personalities with hidden depths and are more sensitive than any other when it comes to instantly detecting a prospective match.
• Reliable sources claim that vine wands emit magical effects upon the mere entrance into their room of a suitable owner.
Redwood – 6th most popular
• Wand-quality redwood has a reputation for bringing good fortune to its owner – however, according to Ollivander, this is the wrong way around.
• Redwood wands are strongly attracted to those who already possess the admirable ability to fall on their feet, to make the right choice and to snatch advantage from catastrophe.
• Ollivander generally expects to hear of exciting things when such a person is paired with a redwood wand.
Beech – 7th most popular
• If you are young, you will be best suited to a beech core if you are wise beyond your years.
• If you are fully grown, you will be best suited to beech if you are rich in understanding and experience.
• Beech wands perform very weakly for the narrow-minded and intolerant.
• When properly matched, beech is capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in other woods.
Maple – 8th most popular
• Those chosen by maple wands are often travellers and explorers by nature.
• Maple wands are not stay-at-home wands, and prefer ambition in their owners, otherwise their magic grows heavy and lacklustre.
• Fresh challenges and regular changes of scene cause this wand to literally shine, burnishing itself as it grows with its partner in ability and status.
• Possession of a maple wand has long been a mark of status, because of its reputation as the wand of high achievers.
Rowan – 9th most popular
• Rowan is reputed to be more protective than any other wand, and renders all manner of defensive charms especially strong and difficult to break.
• It is commonly stated that no Dark witch or wizard ever owned a rowan wand – and Ollivander cannot recall one of his rowan wands going out to do evil in the world.
• Wands of rowan wood are most happily placed with the clear-headed and the pure-hearted.
• However, this reputation for virtue ought not to fool anyone – these wands are the equal of any, often the better, and frequently out-perform others in duels.
Cypress – 10th most popular
• Cypress wands are associated with nobility.
• The great medieval wandmaker, Geraint Ollivander, wrote that he was always honoured to match a cypress wand, for he knew he was meeting a witch or wizard who would die a heroic death.
• Fortunately, in less bloodthirsty times, the possessors of cypress wands are rarely called upon to lay down their lives, though doubtless many of them would do so if required.
• Wands of cypress find their soulmates among the brave, the bold and the self-sacrificing: those who are unafraid to confront the shadows in their own and others’ natures.
A note on the rarest wood amongst Wizarding World fans
Poplar – rarest
• ‘If you seek integrity, search first among the poplars’, was a great maxim of Ollivander’s grandfather, and his grandson reports that his own experience tallies exactly with this impression.
• Poplar is a wand to rely upon – of consistency, strength and uniform power.
• This wand wood is always happiest when working with those of clear moral vision.
Something to keep in mind: ‘Every single wand is unique and will depend for its character on the particular tree and magical creature from which it derives its materials.
Moreover, each wand, from the moment it finds its ideal owner, will begin to learn from and teach its human partner.’ Therefore, as J.K. Rowling reminds us through Ollivander, these notes ‘should be regarded very much as a starting point, for this is the study of a lifetime, and I continue to learn with every wand I make and match.’
