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A wand consists of a thin, straight, hand-held stick of wood, ivory, or metal. Generally, in modern language, wands are ceremonial and/or have associations with magic but there have been other uses, all stemming from the original meaning as a synonym of rod and virge, both of which had a similar development.

Ancient, extremely difficult to find Book of San Ciprián (see The Great Book of Saint Cyprian) (aka Ciprianillo) gives step-by-step instructions on how to make a magic wand.

Metrology

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The wand is also a pre-Norman unit of length used in the British Isles equal to approximately the modern metre, apparently dating from an early use as a yardstick (originally as a generic term). The 'wand' survived for a time under the Normans. Then when the yard was established, the wand came to be known as the 'yard and the hand', and then disappeared, either slowly or by being banned by law.

The old English unit of 1007 millimetres was called a 'wand', and although the 'yard' was created to replace the wand the wand was still used for some centuries because of its convenience as part of an old English decimal system that included:

1 digit (base of long finger) about 20 millimetres
10 digits = 1 small span (span of thumb and forefinger) 200 millimetres
10 small spans = 1 armstretch (1 fathom from finger tip to finger tip) about 2 metres
10 fathoms = 1 chain about 20 metres
10 chains = 1 furlong about 200 metres
10 furlongs = 1 thus-hund of about 2000 metres

The wand that has survived today as part of folklore may in fact be a rendition of the ancient British length unit. Thus a true wand would be a metre in length and not 30 cm.

Symbolism

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• In ecclesiastical and formal government ceremonial, special officials may carry a wand of office or staff of office representing their power. Compare in this context the function of the ceremonial mace, the sceptre, and the staff of office.

• Freudians would suggest that wands may express phallic symbolism of domination.

Religious Usage

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In Pharanoic Egypt, toilet articles, weapons against possible enemies, amulets against serpents, were also left in the tomb, together with magic texts and a magic wand which enabled the ka (soul) to use them. The rod of Moses was a hazel wand. In catacomb frescoes of the third and fourth centuries, Christ is frequently represented performing miracles by means of a wand.

In classical Greco-Roman mythology, the god Hermes/Mercury has a special wand called caduceus.

In Wicca and Ceremonial Magic, practitioners use wands for the channeling of energy—they serve a similar purpose to the athame although the two have their distinct uses. While an athame is generally used to command, a wand is seen as more gentle and is used to invite or encourage. Though traditionally made of wood, they can also consist of metal or crystal. Practitioners usually prune a branch from an Oak, Hazel, or other tree, or may even buy wood from a hardware store, and then carve it and add decorations to personalize it; however, one can also purchase ready-made wands. In Zoroastrianism, there is a similar ritual implement called a barsom.

There is some scholarly opinion that the magic wand may have its roots in the drumstick of a shaman, especially in Central Asia and Siberia, as when using it to bang on his drum or point, to perform religious, healing, and magical ceremonies.

Tarot cards

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"Wands" is also another name for the suit of batons, a suit of the minor arcana of the Tarot. It is normally associated with the element of fire.

Other uses

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• In music, the term sometimes applies to the modern model of conductor's baton (the earlier staff and baton cantoral being heavier and thus unfit for precise gestures).
• In literary language, "wand" can be a synonym for rod as an implement for corporal punishment, in the generic sense: either a multiple rod or a single branch (switch or cane), but not a specific physical type.
• Given their various symbolic and other associations, wands are suitable pervertibles, especially for role play.
• Based on their magical symbolism, stage magicians often use "magic wands" as part of their misdirection. These wands are traditionally black, with white tips.

Wands in fiction

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Magic wands commonly feature in works of fantasy fiction as spell-casting tools. Few other common denominators exist, so the capabilities of wands vary wildly. Note that wands fill basically the same role as wizards' staffs, though staffs generally convey a more 'serious' image; a fairy godmother would definitely use a wand, possibly with a star on the end, while Gandalf as surely would not. In dramatic fiction, wands can serve as weapons in magical duels.

The world of Harry Potter

In the fictional world of Harry Potter, as described by J. K. Rowling, a wand serves as a focusing tool that enhances a wizard's capabilities to perform magic. While performing magic without wands is possible, wands are required in most spells. Wands come in many varieties, being made of different woods (such as holly, vine, oak, or Opeth), and having different magical cores (phoenix feather, unicorn hair, dragon heartstring, fleish, etc.). The wand shop in Diagon Alley, Ollivander's, sells wands. It has been rumored that Coats are somehow involved in the wand-making process.

Role-playing and Video Games

In role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and D&D-derived computer role-playing games such as NetHack, wands function as storage devices for specific magical spells, which a wielder can only use a certain number of times before running out of "charges". Wands often allow non-wizard player characters to use spells, and also enable wizards to use spells they couldn't ordinarily cast.

Wands also feature in a number of other fantasy video games, such as A Link to the Past, in which they usually serve as one of many weapons available to the player's character.

Wands sometimes don't have any meaningful purpose or effect on gameplay, but are just parts of the story, as in Puyo Pop Fever, where Miss Accord, a character of the game, has lost her wand that she calls her "flying cane."

Notes

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• Ivar Lissner, Man, God and Magic, 1961. ^*

Sources and External links

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• List of all offensive wands in NetHack

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