These two holidays represent many conflicts in the series, including: good vs. evil, Christianity vs. Satanism and even light vs. darkness.

 

Halloween

First lets look at how Halloween is depicted in the series.

 

Harry describes the Halloween feast in the Philisopher’s Stone as follows:

 

"A thousand live bats fluttered from the walls and ceiling while a thousand more swooped over the tables in low black clouds, making the candles in the pumkins stutter. The feast appeared suddenly on the golden plates, as it had at the start of term banquet" (Rowling, 127)

 

Halloween was certainly not seen as just as ordinary at Hogwarts, and it was celebrated in a grand way.

 

But, the connection to Halloween is buried even deeper in the series. It goes all the way back to the very beginning to when Voldemort attacked Harry and killed his parents, this event occurred on Halloween night. This is the night that Harry loses his parents, loses his innocence and inadvertenly becomes Voldemort’s 8th Horcrux. From the very beginning of Harry’s tale Halloween is associated with the bad.

 

In Harry’s first year at Hogwarts another bad event occurs on Halloween. A troll is let into the castle and Hermione is nearly killed. We later learn that Professor Quirrell who is being commanded by Voldemort himself orchestrated this act. The link between Halloween and Voldemort continues (Harry Potter October 31 wiki page).

 

In Harry’s third year Sirius Black attempts to break into Hogwarts castle and specifically into the Gryffindor common room. While we eventually know that Sirius’ intentions for such a break in, were not entirely evil, in that he wanted to find and kill Peter Pettigrew (disguised as Ron’s rat Scabbers), it still elicits fear amongst Harry, and the Hogwarts community (Harry Potter October 31 wiki page).

 

In Harry’s fourth year, Harry’s name is mysteriously drawn from the Triwizard Cup and Harry is inadvertenly forced to participate in a very dangerous year long tournament (Harry Potter October 31 wiki page).

 

It is clear that Halloween while in the wizarding world is a cherished and celebrated holiday, it does not—at least in Harry’s early life—elicit many happy or good memories.

 

Now let’s look at what this could mean.

 

The connection these holidays have in relation to light and darkness can be seen simply in when these holidays are celebrated.

 

Halloween represents darkness and is celebrated largely at night. Whereas Christmas represents light and is celebrated all day, particularly in during the daytime.

 

The connection these holidays have in relation to any Satanic beliefs can be seen in what is celebrated on Halloween. Halloween is a holiday that celebrates the darker side of life. It is a holiday that fits into the magical world, but not as easily into the non-magical or Christian world. Magic, darkness, witches, and mythical creatures are celebrated. Essentially what is celebrated on Halloween is what many Christians think is evil.

           

           

 

Christmas

 

In contrast to Halloween of course we have Christmas, which is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. A day revered by all Christians and a holiday that is considered particularly holy.

 

Christmas for most of the series represents the good. It too like Halloween has a prominent presence in the series, but this time it elicits happier memories for Harry.

 

Harry at Hogwarts for the first time is allowed to celebrate and enjoy Christmas. He gets gifts for the first time and he feels loved. Christmas becomes a source of light not only in the series itself, but also in Harry’s life.

 

Particularly for the first four books, Christmas is looked solely in a positive light, but after it becomes a little darker (Bell, 29).

 

During Harry’s first year at Hogwarts Harrys spent the Holidays with his bestfriend Ron and he described it as “[his] best Christmas day ever.” (Rowling, 150). He was surprised to receive gifts and he received one of the most important gifts he would ever receive on this day, the Invisibilty Cloak.

 

Harry’s next three Christmas’ were spent in similar fashion. He was happy, and while not always at Hogwarts, he was with his new adopted family, the Weasley’s (Harry Potter Christmas wiki page).

 

After his fourth year though, Christmas does for a time take a darker turn, but this does not last as in his 7th year Christmas becomes a day to celebrate once again as Harry triumphs over evil once again (Harry Potter Christmas wiki page).

 

Year 5—Arthur Weasley returns after being attacked at the Ministry

Year 6—the Burrow is caught on fire by Death Eaters

Year 7—But all is all right in the book, as even though on Christmas Eve (under the cover of darkness) Voldemort tries to defeat Harry once again, but like as a child Harry wins over evil. (Harry Potter Christmas wiki page).

 

So to categorize these holidays in a rather blunt way would be to say:

Halloween=evil

Christmas=good