Ravenclaws Are the Coolest, and You Can’t Convince Me Otherwise
Amidst the intense rivalry of Gryffindor and Slytherin, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are often pushed to the sidelines. We have had some great Hufflepuff representation over the years, but the Ravenclaws continue to remain pretty elusive. I guess that’s what makes them so interesting for me to feel compelled to write a whole essay about them.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you’ve a ready mind, where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind…” (SS 118)
All of us started off interpreting these words as “Ravenclaws = smart.” But as I got to meet some incredible Ravenclaws, I’ve realized that a Ravenclaw’s core value isn’t intelligence but curiosity.
Ravenclaws are eager to learn, not to achieve an end but for the love of learning itself. They’re those weirdos we all know and love who know the most random and bizarre facts and are often found obsessing over something very peculiar or going down the wormhole of some insane conspiracy theory. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with a Ravenclaw, probably at 2:00 in the morning, riding some ridiculously absurd brainwave?
But the most admirable thing about the Ravenclaws is their creative confidence.
Creative confidence is the ability to stretch your imagination and be open to unexpected outcomes. Unlike popular belief, creativity isn’t something you have; it is a mindset you cultivate through practice, patience, and perseverance. The Ravenclaws know this very well, being unafraid to experiment and explore. Their love for learning fits into this paradigm perfectly.
Not only are they unafraid to exercise their imagination but they also create a safe space for others to express themselves. Unlike most, they value a varied perspective as it helps them stretch the boundaries of their mind. Us Slytherins tend to be quite attached to our viewpoint and guard it adamantly, even when we start to realize that we may be wrong. But Ravenclaws are the kind to stop midway through a debate and admit the merits of the opposing argument. They value empathy and understanding the other perspective over being right.
This mental agility enables the Ravenclaws to embrace their unique individuality. We see this quality recurring in almost every Ravenclaw whom we have encountered, from the arrogant flamboyance of Gilderoy Lockhart to the quiet confidence of Cho Chang. But in my humble opinion, Luna Lovegood is the perfect Ravenclaw queen.
Luna is a complete weirdo, and she knows it too. But despite being continuously ridiculed (and bullied), she never tries to hide her weirdness. Her love for magical creatures is unimposing yet passionate. She immerses herself in the subject unapologetically, trying to absorb everything there is to know and more. Regardless of how factually correct Luna is, whenever Hermione (could not ever be a Ravenclaw btw) scowls at her absurd musings, Luna brushes it off without any hard feelings. For Luna, it’s not about being right as her innate Ravenclaw curiosity helps her to look at the world through a lens of endless possibilities.
Although not one of his closest friends, Luna helps Harry work through some really difficult times. Her comforting presence and open-mindedness allow Harry to express himself without any concern for sounding stupid or illogical. She’s the perfect person to turn to when all you need is someone to listen without trying to help fix your problem.
Luna Lovegood’s quiet confidence is unsettling at first, but even those who initially deemed her ridiculous grow to admire her. She displays Ravenclaw’s best qualities – individuality, an unwavering passion for her art, and a deep sense of empathy.
Ravenclaws are creative, curious, passionate, crafty, and sometimes all over the place. They are inventors, innovators, and artists. They harbor a love of learning, whether that be of academics, art, or the whole damn world. It’s a disservice to box them into something as limited as “intelligent.”
The rest of us can try, but Ravenclaws are easily the coolest ones of the lot.
