What makes someone a Gryffindor from Harry Potter? Gryffindor, along with Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw make up the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's the job of the Sorting Hat to divide the incoming students into their appropriate House based on personal traits.
The official mascot of Gryffindor House is a lion which is displayed on their crest. Their colors are scarlet and gold and the House element corresponds with fire. Gryffindor was founded by Godric Gryffindor, an accomplished dueller. The Sorting Hat was once his before it became a tool used by Hogwarts. Godric fought against Muggle discrimination and didn't get along very well with Salazar Slytherin. Their falling out was the jumpstart to the rivalry between Gryffindors and Slytherins.
Gryffindors are known for their courage and bravery. Members of Gryffindor House tend to be very daring, which could at times, come off as reckless. They are also competitive in the classroom, as well as on the Quidditch field. Gryffindors have a history of athleticism which translated to the success of their Quidditch team. Gryffindor has produced a number of brilliant witches and wizards, many of which became heroes in the eyes of the Wizarding World.
Professor Minerva McGonagall served as Head of Gryffindor House while she taught Transfiguration. She then took over as the Hogwarts headmistress following the Second Wizarding World. Other notable Gryffindors include Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Hagrid, Sirius Black, and the entire Weasley family.
Of course, the most famous Gryffindor of all would be Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived and central character of the book and movie series. Harry didn't have a great childhood after he was forced to live with his aunt's family after his parents were murdered. The young wizard entered Hogwarts at the age of 11 where he not only displayed many of the traits that Gryffindor House historically value, but he also fought Lord Voldemort on multiple occasions. It was because of Harry that Voldemort was defeated during the Battle of Hogwarts.
Harry wouldn't have been the wizard he grew into if it wasn't for another key member of House Gryffindor. Albus Dumbledore was the headmaster of Hogwarts when Harry first came to the school but he was much more than that in the eyes of the young wizard. Dumbledore was a mentor to Harry and constantly gave him advice, especially when it came to the Dark Lord. Harry and the rest of Gryffindor House were devastated following the death of Dumbledore. Even though Dumbledore kept secrets from others, he epitomized the traits of a Gryffindor and it makes sense why so many Harry Potter fans show pride in identifying with the House.
