For many, Harry Potter Tattoos are more than just ink; they are symbols of a beloved series, a shared fandom, and often, a significant part of personal identity. However, in recent years, particularly following author J.K. Rowling’s widely publicized and controversial views on transgender people, the meaning and sentiment behind these tattoos have become increasingly complex and conflicted for fans worldwide. What was once a straightforward expression of fandom has now become a point of re-evaluation, prompting many to question their connection to the Wizarding World and the permanent marks on their skin.
This article delves into the experiences of Harry Potter fans grappling with their tattoos in light of Rowling’s statements. We explore how the joy and pride associated with these tattoos have been challenged, leading some to consider covering them up, while others seek to redefine their relationship with both the artwork and the series it represents. Through personal stories and reflections, we examine the evolving significance of Harry Potter tattoos in a fandom navigating difficult truths about its creator.
The Shifting Sands of Fandom and Ink
Harry Potter tattoos have long been a popular choice for fans wanting to showcase their dedication to the series. From the iconic Deathly Hallows symbol to house crests, Patronuses, and character-inspired designs, these tattoos represent a deep connection to the magical world Rowling created. For many, getting a Harry Potter tattoo was a rite of passage, a way to visibly belong to a community of like-minded individuals who found solace, inspiration, and friendship in the books.
However, the landscape of the Harry Potter fandom has shifted dramatically. Rowling’s repeated expressions of transphobic views have caused widespread disappointment and anger, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community and among allies. For fans who once admired Rowling and saw the Harry Potter series as embodying themes of inclusivity and acceptance, her statements have been deeply hurtful and contradictory to the values they associated with the books. This dissonance has forced many to confront a difficult reality: how to reconcile their love for the Harry Potter universe with the problematic views of its creator. And for those with permanent reminders of this fandom on their bodies, the question becomes even more personal.
Fans Reconsidering Their Harry Potter Tattoos: Personal Stories
To understand the impact of this controversy on Harry Potter tattoos, it’s crucial to hear directly from fans. Here, we share the stories of individuals who are re-evaluating their tattoos and their relationship with the Harry Potter series.
Laney: The Deathly Hallows and Stag – A Symbol Tainted
Laney’s tattoo is a combination of two powerful Harry Potter symbols: the Deathly Hallows and a stag, representing Harry Potter’s Patronus. For Laney, the Deathly Hallows originally signified a shared quest and belonging within the fandom, while the stag, a protective symbol, resonated deeply. She got the Deathly Hallows tattoo in 2011, swept up in the excitement of the movie series ending and the vibrant online fandom culture on platforms like Tumblr. Later, she added the stag, intending to further personalize and expand the design.
A Harry Potter tattoo depicting the deathly hallows and a stag.
However, as Laney matured and became more critical of the series and its author, her feelings towards the tattoo began to change. She notes the problematic elements within the original text, such as the antisemitic portrayal of goblins, and the stereotypical representation of non-white characters. Rowling’s post-textual additions to the Harry Potter lore, which often felt inconsistent or ill-conceived, further contributed to Laney’s growing unease. While initially excited about Rowling’s reveal of Dumbledore being gay, a moment that resonated with Laney who was then exploring her own queerness, this initial positive reaction faded as Rowling’s problematic world-building and, ultimately, her transphobic statements came to light.
“As I’ve gotten more critical in my adult years, it’s been kind of weird going back,” Laney explains. “It’s very, very strange now to have this downward spiral of understanding JK Rowling as an author and also the work as it stands on its own.” Rowling’s transphobia was particularly disheartening, leading Laney to feel that her idol had been lost. She now grapples with how this personal disappointment affects her view of the series itself and what to do with a tattoo that no longer carries the same positive connotations.
Jordan: The Stick and Poke Deathly Hallows – Re-evaluating Meaning
Jordan’s Harry Potter tattoo is a simple yet significant stick and poke of the Deathly Hallows symbol on his ankle. He got it at 18, already knowing he wanted a Harry Potter tattoo as a testament to the series that had been a constant companion throughout his childhood and adolescence. Growing up in a conservative environment where Harry Potter was viewed with suspicion, the books offered Jordan an escape and a sense of belonging. He identified deeply with the escapism Hogwarts provided, especially during a difficult time in his youth when his parents divorced.
A stick and poke tattoo of the deathly hallows
As Jordan pursued English literature in college, his critical perspective expanded to include Harry Potter. He began to notice problematic elements within the books, such as the depiction of house-elves and questionable character additions. However, it was Rowling’s transphobia that fundamentally altered his relationship with the series and his tattoo.
“It no longer represents what it did,” Jordan reflects. “I mean, there’s already so many borderline things in those books. It just felt like, okay, well, this thing that meant something to me, I have to reevaluate my relationship to it.” His primary concern now is how his tattoo might be perceived by his trans friends. “The tattoo just started feeling like, if that was visible around my friends who are trans, I wouldn’t want them to feel like I support the things that she says,” he explains. Despite the controversy, Jordan acknowledges the profound impact Harry Potter had on his life and recognizes that re-evaluating this relationship is an ongoing process.
Kay: The Forearm Deathly Hallows – From Conversation Starter to Complicated Symbol
For Kay, a librarian working with middle and high school students, their Deathly Hallows tattoo on their forearm initially served as a positive conversation starter with students. It signaled a shared interest in books and fandom culture, creating a welcoming connection. As a non-binary person who got the tattoo with a trans friend, the symbol also held personal meaning related to identity and community.
A tattoo of the deathly hallows on a forearm.
However, Rowling’s escalating transphobic rhetoric has transformed Kay’s perception of their tattoo. Initially hoping Rowling would learn and grow, Kay reached a breaking point with her more recent statements. “The first time she said something, I was like, ‘Oof, okay, well, maybe she’ll grow from this,’” Kay recalls. “it was the most recent one was when I was like, ‘okay, I gotta do something.’” The decision to reconsider the tattoo is both personal and social. Kay no longer wants to carry a symbol that feels “tainted” by Rowling’s views and worries about being wrongly associated with those views. While Kay still values aspects of the fandom and its transformative works like fanfiction, engaging with the original books has become a complex and “overwhelming” prospect, colored by the author’s harmful beliefs.
Author’s Reflection: From Fandom Embodied to Cover-Up Contemplation
The author of the original article also shares their personal experience with a Deathly Hallows tattoo, mirroring the sentiments of Laney, Jordan, and Kay. Once a “no brainer” expression of fandom, the tattoo now evokes feelings of unease and even the urge to apologize for it. The author, who grew up with Harry Potter and found community and expansion within the fandom, now struggles to reconcile their personal enjoyment of the series with the harm Rowling’s rhetoric inflicts on the trans community.
A deathly hallows tattoo on someone
Like Kay, the author acknowledges the weirdness and inconsistencies within the Harry Potter books themselves, even separate from the author’s current controversies. The core issue, however, remains Rowling’s transphobia and its real-world consequences. The author is now considering a cover-up, seeking to replace the Deathly Hallows with a new symbol of personal growth and positive change – plants and flowers from their garden. This idea represents a desire to move forward, to let go of a childhood ideal that can no longer be fully embraced, and to transform a symbol of conflicted fandom into something new and meaningful.
The Future of Harry Potter Tattoos: Redefining Fandom and Personal Expression
The stories of these fans highlight a significant shift in the meaning of Harry Potter tattoos. They are no longer simply declarations of fandom but have become complex symbols prompting reflection, re-evaluation, and for some, even regret. The controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling has forced fans to critically examine their relationship with the series and consider how their tattoos align with their values.
While some fans are choosing to cover up or remove their Harry Potter tattoos, others are finding ways to reclaim them. For some, this means separating the art from the artist, cherishing the positive aspects of the Harry Potter universe – the themes of friendship, courage, and love – while actively condemning Rowling’s harmful views. For others, it involves engaging with fanfiction and transformative works that expand and challenge the original canon, creating a fandom that is more inclusive and representative.
Ultimately, the future of Harry Potter tattoos is as diverse and evolving as the fandom itself. These tattoos now represent not just a love for a magical series, but also the complexities of fandom in the modern age – navigating problematic creators, challenging ingrained biases, and redefining personal expression in a world that is constantly changing. Whether fans choose to keep, cover, or reimagine their Harry Potter tattoos, their journeys reflect a larger conversation about fandom, identity, and the ongoing process of reconciling beloved stories with the realities of their creators.
