Fire in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novel series. Symbolism of the image

The article is devoted to determining the specifics of the artistic representation of the image of fire in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novel series. The theoretical and methodological tools of myth criticism and ritual studies make it possible to examine the symbolic meanings of fire and interpret them in the context of archaic cultural traditions (“fire” myths and rituals that express belief in the divine nature and magical power of this element). The study highlights the ambivalence of the fire image in fantasy, where it is portrayed as a force that can both save and destroy life, generating both light and dark magic. Magicians’ ability to control fire and make it serve them likens the wizards to mythical gods. Scenes in which wizards use fire magic resonate with ancient rituals that reflected beliefs in fire’s ability to protect people from evil spells, ensure well-being, and even grant immortality, as well as transfer one’s soul to the afterlife. The light magic of fire is associated with such meanings as “fire – love,” “fire – a weapon against dark forces” (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone; The Half-Blood Prince; The Deathly Hallows); the dark magic of fire bearing such denotations as “fire – evil,” “fire – death,” “fire – infernal flame,” “fire – a change of form of existence, ontological transformation,” “fire – immortality” (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; The Deathly Hallows). The image of the Goblet of Fire is interpreted as an indicator of a person’s potential unconscious readiness for death (“fire” as a “bridge” between life and death), while the image of the phoenix is seen as a symbol of eternal renewal.