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In Harry Potter, what is the Philosopher's Stone?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

The idea of a Philosopher's Stone is a common one in European mythology. J.K. Rowling borrowed the idea of an alchemically created stone with magical properties for her popular Harry Potter series. In the Harry Potter books, there is only one Philosopher's Stone, created by Nicolas Flamel in the 1400s. Flamel's stone is able to transform objects into gold and produce an Elixir of Life which grants the drinker immortality.

The magical item first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was released under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States. Scholastic, the American publisher of the Harry Potter books, believed that American readers would not be as drawn to a book about a “Philosopher's Stone.” This choice has been criticized, along with the Americanization of the Harry Potter books released in the United States: small changes were made in the language that characters used out of a fear that Americans would not understand it.

Alchemy was widely practiced all over the world through the 1800s.
Alchemy was widely practiced all over the world through the 1800s.

The Philosopher's Stone is a crucial element of the book. Nicolas Flamel is a friend of Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The two have worked together on alchemy projects, presumably working with the Philosopher's Stone itself to explore its properties. Flamel also turns to Dumbledore to keep the stone safe, and in the early part of the book, it is moved from Vault 713 at Gringotts to Hogwarts, where it is presumed to be safer.

Nicolas Flamel, friend of Albus Dumbledore, turns to Dumbledore to keep the Philosopher's Stone safe.
Nicolas Flamel, friend of Albus Dumbledore, turns to Dumbledore to keep the Philosopher's Stone safe.

Cooperating with several instructors at the school, Dumbledore puts a series of obstacles in the way of the Philosopher's Stone to protect it. The series of enchanted protections are designed to foil Voldemort from getting the Philosopher's Stone, as Dumbledore is concerned that Voldemort will rise again. Ultimately, Voldemort is able to penetrate all of the protections except for the last one: Dumbledore cleverly conceals the stone within the Mirror of Erised in such a way that only someone who wants to find the Philosopher's Stone but not use it can get it.

In a lesson about goals and motives, Harry gets it because he looks into the mirror with no intent to use it, and also successfully resists an attempt by Voldemort to take the Philosopher's Stone by force. After this climactic scene, the Philosopher's Stone is destroyed to prevent Voldemort from obtaining it, and Nicolas Flamel and his wife prepare for their deaths. Harry is initially concerned about the two, but Dumbledore points out that Flamel has been alive for over six hundred years, and is probably ready to pursue “the next great adventure” of death.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon302433

That's one of the reasons but actually, they did change it because they also were unsure that American children would recognize the term "philosopher's stone", quite rightly too, as this mythology wasn't widely known in the Americas before Harry Potter.

It's kind of sad though, there is no such thing as a "sorcerer's stone", so the change breaks any ties to realism in our world.

anon32636

To the first poster:

No, they didn't change it because they think we don't know what it is. They changed it because Harry Potter is a children's book, and the editor thought that American children might not want to read something that has to do with philosophy. Sorcerer, on the other hand, obviously has a more vibe of magic to it, and can draw an audience.

anon4332

Why did they change the title to "Sorcerer's Stone" in the US edition? Did they think Americans don't know what a philosopher is? It's kind of offensive actually. In addition, I think that calling it a "sorcerer's stone" might have gotten the religious right madder than they would have been otherwise.

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    • Alchemy was widely practiced all over the world through the 1800s.
      By: Olga Galushko
      Alchemy was widely practiced all over the world through the 1800s.
    • Nicolas Flamel, friend of Albus Dumbledore, turns to Dumbledore to keep the Philosopher's Stone safe.
      Nicolas Flamel, friend of Albus Dumbledore, turns to Dumbledore to keep the Philosopher's Stone safe.