Potter Spell Tattoos – Part 2: “Expecto Patronum”
In Part 1 of Potter spell tattoos, we discussed a few reasons why Obliviate is a great choice for a special fandom-themed tattoo. Now for the second installment, we are going to talk about the Patronus Charm, Expecto Patronum. This is one of the most popular spell tattoos I have noticed out there, and with good reason. This spell inspires hope and self-defense. It represents safety and happiness. As Remus Lupin puts it, “The Patronus is a kind of positive force, a projection of the very things that the Dementor feeds upon – hope, happiness, the desire to survive -” (PoA 237).
We are introduced to the Patronus Charm by Lupin in Book 3 and continue to see it pop up whenever our characters find themselves needing protection. It is described as a very advanced spell that can only be conjured if you focus on your happiest memory. This means that just like most good things in life, it can be difficult to make happen but is worth it in the end.
Fans who get this spell as a tattoo do so because they are fighters. They create their own happiness. They don’t wait for an outside source to come along and show them how to be happy. It can act as a reminder of the troubles they overcame and become a symbol for them to stay strong.
No matter what their reason, the tattoo is a constant reminder of their own personal strength. The sight of it gives them strength even when they start to feel lost. Overcoming personal struggles is something almost everyone can relate to, which is one of the reasons for its popularity.
The Patronus is also one of the most personal aspects of the wizarding world. This has led Pottermore to make a quiz for finding out your own Patronus form. Each animal has its own special characteristics that make it special and unique. These different possibilities also make Expecto Patronum one of the easiest Potter tattoos to customize to your own liking. Even if the words aren’t there, the message is the same.
One of the final points I have in discussing Expecto Patronum tattoos is that they are a way to connect with someone. In the series, we see someone’s Patronus change form due to love. Tonks’s Patronus changed from a jackrabbit to a wolf due to her love for Lupin and him feeling not good enough for her. Harry Potter tattoos are great to have, but if you can find someone who shares your love of them, it makes them have so much more meaning.
Just like last time, if you have any Expecto Patronum or Patronus tattoos you would like to share with us, please do! Or any other spell tattoos you may have. Who knows. Maybe they will be the next spell featured!
