Hogwarts Legacy: What “Avada Kedavra” Really Means

Avada Kedavra is one of the most evil spells one can cast in Hogwarts Legacy – but its real-life origins prove it wasn’t always intended to harm.

Perhaps one of the most memorable spells from the Harry Potter universe, “Avada Kedavra,” will be available to students in Hogwarts Legacy. Being the catalyst of death in the wizarding world, using this Unforgivable Curse is strictly prohibited and can land a witch or a wizard a life sentence in Azkaban (for good reason). But the origins of this iconic curse are surprising, as they’re actually rooted in restorative real-life practices.

Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world RPG, which will give players the freedom to make important decisions and influence the fate of the school altogether. For example, they’ll need to pick one of the four Hogwarts Houses to join – but players will also need to decide whether they’d like to pursue light or dark magic. Killing Dark Wizards in Hogwarts Legacy is costly, but all students will have access to the three Unforgivable Curses, should they choose to take their playthroughs in a more sinister direction. Before using Avada Kedavra against enemies, though, it’s worth examining its true meaning.

Related: Everything We Know About Hogwarts Legacy – Release Date, Story, Gameplay

What Avada Kedavra Means In Hogwarts Legacy

According to a novel titled “The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter: A Treasury of Myths, Legends and Fascinating Facts” by David Colbert (although not officially confirmed by J.K. Rowling), the phrase Avada Kedavra likely stems from “abra cadabra” – a common phrase still used by magicians and show performers today. However, its origins can be traced back thousands of years ago to the Aramaic language, in which “abbada kedhabhra” translates to “disappear from this world.” Knowing the fatal implications of Avada Kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy and Harry Potter lore alike, the inspiration is clear – but unlike the Unforgivable Curse, the magician’s phrase abra cadabra was actually a well-intentioned spell.

The Real-Life Context of Avada Kedavra In Hogwarts Legacy

The dark magic debate (which Hogwarts Legacy could settle), examines the inherent moral implications of Unforgivable Curses in the Harry Potter universe since they are obviously meant to harm other witches and wizards. But according to the same Colbert text, real-life ancient wizards didn’t use abra cadabra to wish death or even curses upon anyone – instead, it was used as a healing spell. Serenus Sammonicus, an esteemed Roman physician, believed that the phrase could treat ailments like fever. To cure sick patients, Sammonicus would write “abracadabra” on a piece of paper eleven times, removing a letter with each line to form a triangular shape.

The magical practice of abra cadabra became quite well-known, especially during the later ages of the Black Plague – but it also seemingly inspired the infamous Harry Potter spell, too. Real-life uses of the phrase were geared towards healing and restoration, whereas in Hogwarts Legacy, students can use Unforgivable Curses like Avada Kedavra to harm and eliminate their opponents. The player will be at total liberty build their own story and to choose between light and dark magic – but it might be worth considering what Hogwarts Legacy‘s Avada Kedavra spell means in real life before committing to the Dark Arts.

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