Luna Lovegood: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:28, 29 August 2004

Latest revision as of 10:53, 8 August 2025

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{{short description|Character from Harry Potter}}

{{HP Character|

{{Use British English|date=November 2020}}

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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

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{{Redirect-distinguish|Lovegood|Lovegod}}

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{{Infobox character

name=Luna Lovegood|

| series = [[Harry Potter]]

gender=[[Female]]|

| name = Luna Lovegood|

hair=Dirty Blonde|

| image = LunaLovegood.jpeg

eyes=Unknown|

| caption = Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood {{efn|''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' (2007)}}

house=[[Ravenclaw]]|

| first = ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' (2003)

blood=Unknown|

| last = ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' (2007)

loyalty=[[Dumbledore's Army]]

| creator = [[J. K. Rowling]]

| portrayer = [[Evanna Lynch]]

| nicknames = Loony Lovegood

| family = {{Plainlist|

* [[Xenophilius Lovegood]] (father)

* Pandora Lovegood (mother)

}}

| spouse = [[Rolf Scamander]]

| children = Lorcan Scamander<br/>Lysander Scamander

| lbl21 = House

house| data21 = [[Ravenclaw]]|

| lbl22 = Born

| data22 = 13 February 1981

}}

'''Luna "Loony" Lovegood''' is a [[fictional character]] from ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''. She is described as looking like an embodiment of dottiness, with her [[wand]] tucked behind her ear for safekeeping and a [[necklace]] made of [[butterbeer]] caps. Luna's father is the [[editor]] of ''[[The Quibbler]]'', where he prints "important stories he thinks the public needs to know." The stories are often untrue and silly; however, Luna believes them and she thus has many weird beliefs. Luna defends her beliefs, father and his [[magazine]] aganist insults from other characters, most notably [[Hermione Granger]].

'''Luna Lovegood''' is a character in the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series of novels by [[J. K. Rowling]]. She first appears in ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' (2003). She is portrayed by [[Evanna Lynch]] in the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' films]].

[[J. K. Rowling]] says Luna is sort of the "anti-Hermione," as Luna believes things on [[faith]] alone and Hermione grounds her beliefs on [[fact]]s and [[logic]]. Hermione tries repeatedly to convince Luna that her beliefs are nonsense, to no avail. Luna sees Hermione as being narrow-minded and Hermione sees Luna as being very gullible. Hermione seems to have realised that Luna would not falter in her beliefs by the end of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'': when Luna says that she and her father are going on an expedition to [[Sweden]] to catch a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, Hermione responds in a polite manner rather than try to convince her that there is no such thing as a Crumple-Horned Snorkack.

==Characterisation==

Luna is in [[Ravenclaw]] and [[Ginny Weasley]]'s year, her fourth in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', and must consequently have entered Hogwarts in ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''. She is called "Loony Lovegood" behind her back, although she is aware of this and doesn't seem to mind (or even notice.) Some of her classmates regularly steal her possessions and hide them for the fun of it. When she tells [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry]] this in an offhanded conversation, she unintentionally wins his [[sympathy]]. Harry offers to help her find her lost things, but she refuses. It is interesting that while Luna does not care about her own image, she does care what people think of her father's magazine.

The "first intimation" of Luna was originally called Lily Moon. Rowling envisioned her as a "fey, dreamy girl"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rowling |first=J.K. |date=August 10, 2014 |title=The Original Forty {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/the-original-forty |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}}</ref> and her surname is mentioned during [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry]]'s Sorting Ceremony.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rowling |first=J.K. |title=Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone |publisher=Bloomsbury |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-7475-3269-9}}</ref> Rowling has described Luna as the "anti-[[Hermione Granger|Hermione]]" because Luna arrives at beliefs through faith, while Hermione relies on facts and logic.<ref name="royal">{{cite web |date=26 June 2003 |title=J.K. Rowling at the Royal Albert Hall |url=http://www.msn.co.uk/liveevents/harrypotter/transcript/Default.asp?Ath=f |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061112072736/http://www.msn.co.uk/liveevents/harrypotter/transcript/Default.asp?Ath=f |archive-date=12 November 2006 |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=MSN |publisher=}}</ref> Hermione repeatedly tries to convince Luna that her beliefs are nonsense, but to no avail. Luna is perceptive about human nature, and Harry notes her knack for blunt honesty. She holds her friends in high regard; she painted portraits of Harry, [[Ron Weasley|Ron]], Hermione, [[Ginny Weasley|Ginny]], and [[Neville Longbottom|Neville]] on the ceiling of her room. Luna's father is [[Xenophilius Lovegood]], the editor of the magazine ''The Quibbler''. Luna witnessed the death of her mother when she was nine years old, which enables her to see [[Thestrals|Thestrals.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Ian |date=2021-02-11 |title=The Sad Truth About Luna Lovegood That Harry Potter Fans Forget |url=https://www.looper.com/332661/the-sad-truth-about-luna-lovegood-that-harry-potter-fans-forget/ |access-date=2021-08-05 |website=Looper |language=en-US |archive-date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611165514/https://www.looper.com/332661/the-sad-truth-about-luna-lovegood-that-harry-potter-fans-forget/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In interviews following the release of ''Deathly Hallows'', Rowling revealed facts about Luna's life after [[Hogwarts]]. Luna pursues a career as a "[[magizoologist]]", which is a [[zoologist]] for magical creatures. She discovers many new species of animals and becomes quite famous for it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pruneau |date=2007-08-01 |title=Chat de J.K. Rowling : la traduction ! |url=https://www.gazette-du-sorcier.com/j-k-rowling/declarations-et-entretiens/chat-de-j-k-rowling-la-traduction-revelations |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=La Gazette du Sorcier |language=fr}}</ref> She marries Rolf Scamander, who is a fellow naturalist and the grandson of [[Newt Scamander]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |date=30 July 2007 |title=J. K. Rowling Webchat Transcript |url=http://www.bloomsbury.com/harrypotter/content.asp?sec=3&sec2=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106145256/http://www.bloomsbury.com/harrypotter/content.asp?sec=3&sec2=1 |archive-date=6 January 2008 |access-date=4 January 2019 |work=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]]}}</ref> Luna and Rolf have twin sons, Lorcan and Lysander.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who's with who? Your roundup of wizarding world couples {{!}} Wizarding World |url=https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/your-roundup-of-wizarding-world-couples |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.wizardingworld.com |language=en}}</ref>

Though Luna is aware of how she is teased, she does seem to be somewhat naive about others' views on her. She is not aware that some of her friends, such as Ginny, take part in calling her "Loony Lovegood," and that Harry does not find being told he is just as sane as Luna very comforting. Luna believed Harry's story about his escape from [[Lord Voldemort]], and defended it in front of a group of skeptical students. Luna joined [[Dumbledore's Army]] and was involved in the battle in the [[Ministry of Magic#Department of Mysteries|Department of Mysteries]] (along with Harry Potter, [[Ron Weasley]], Hermione Granger, [[Neville Longbottom]] and Ginny Weasley.)

==Appearances==

Luna was never mentioned before ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', though in ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' it was mentioned that the Lovegood family lived in the area of [[the Burrow]]. It is never stated that this is Luna's family, but [[J. K. Rowling]] rarely throws away conections, and it can be presumed that even if the people living near The Burrow are not Luna's family, they are probably related in some way.

=== Novels ===

Luna has waist-length dirty blond hair and is described as having a dazed look on her face. She tends to stare off into space a lot, and seems to have a romantic interest in Ron, whom she calls "Ronald." Luna has a habit of stating facts about people which they are fully aware of. For example, when she first met Harry, she told him he was Harry Potter. Despite this, Luna seems to be to [[sanity|legally sane]], as she is always aware of who she is and where she is. Her main abnormal quality of absentmindedness, helped by her strange beliefs and unusual attire, is enough to give her the reputation of being mentally unbalanced.

''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' (2000) has the very first and only brief mention of the surname Lovegood in the beginning. Luna herself first appears in the novel ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' (2003) as a Ravenclaw student, sorted due to her wit and creativity, found to be one year below Harry. Other students call her "Loony Lovegood” due to the fact that many view her beliefs as “strange”. She and her father, Xenophilius, believe the claims made by Harry and [[Albus Dumbledore]] that [[Lord Voldemort]] has returned. Luna and Hermione Granger persuade the journalist [[Rita Skeeter]] to interview Harry so his claims can be published in ''The Quibbler'', a magazine edited by Xenophilius. During the course of the novel, Luna practices her defensive spellcasting as a member of [[Dumbledore's Army]]. Near the end of the story, she participates in the battle with [[Death Eaters]] at the [[Ministry of Magic]]. In ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince|Half-Blood Prince]]'' (2005), Luna attends [[Horace Slughorn]]'s Christmas party with Harry. When Death Eaters attack Hogwarts, Luna, Ginny and Neville attempt to protect the school.<ref name="GoF1">Rowling, J. K. (2000). ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 6: The surname "Lovegood" is briefly mentioned for the first time.</ref><ref name="OotP1">Rowling, J. K. (2003). ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 10: Luna Lovegood is introduced as a Ravenclaw student one year below Harry.</ref>

Luna begins her sixth year at Hogwarts in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows|Deathly Hallows]]'' (2007). She and Ginny help Neville revive Dumbledore's Army, which infuriates the Death Eaters who are now in control of the school. Hoping to aid Harry on his quest to destroy [[Horcruxes]], Luna and her friends try to steal the [[Sword of Gryffindor]] from the office of [[Severus Snape]]. They are caught and given a lenient punishment: a trip to the Forbidden Forest with [[Rubeus Hagrid]]. While travelling home for Christmas on the Hogwarts Express, Luna is kidnapped by Death Eaters. They hold her hostage to stop her father from publishing content supportive of Harry in ''The Quibbler''. Harry, Ron and Hermione are also captured by Voldemort's followers, who imprison them in the cellar of [[Malfoy Manor]] with Luna and [[Mr Ollivander]]. All the prisoners are eventually rescued by the house-elf [[Dobby the house elf|Dobby]].

The name "Luna" is [[Latin]] for the [[Moon]]. This obviously refers to Luna's absentmindedness and clearly unconventional patterns of thought, since in ancient times the moon was thought to induce insanity in people (hence the word "lunatic," which is, unsurprisingly, the source of Luna's nickname, "Loony"). The origin of the surname "Lovegood" is more ambigious. Obviously, it combines the [[English language|English]] words "[[love]]" and "[[good]]", both of which have very positive conotations (as in "a fight between good and [[evil]], love and [[hate]].") This could refer to her kind character, or be simply an idiosyncracy of the author. Her last name could also be a reference to [[Elliot Lovegood Grant Watson]], who wrote numerous books highlighting the insufficiencies of [[Darwinism]] after he was raised by a mother who adored [[Charles Darwin|Darwin]]. It could, therefore, be a reference to how ''The Quibbler'' attacks widely accepted beliefs.

During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], Luna summons her Patronus, a hare, to fend off hundreds of [[Dementors]] that are about to attack her friends. Luna, Hermione and Ginny duel [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] until [[Molly Weasley]] intervenes and kills Bellatrix. After the battle, Luna helps Harry slip away from the celebratory crowd to find some peace and quiet. In the novel's epilogue, it is revealed that Harry and Ginny eventually have a daughter named Lily. In an ITV documentary, Rowling said that Lily's middle name is Luna.<ref name="Rowling Documentary">J.K.Rowling - A Year In The Life; James Runcie; Independent Television (ITV); 2007</ref>

It has been rumored that [[Lindsey Lohan]] will play the part of Luna in the fifth movie, but this not likely.

=== Film adaptations ===

{{spoiler}}

Luna appears in the film adaptations of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Order of the Phoenix]]'' (2007), ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Half-Blood Prince]]'' (2009), and ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1|Deathly Hallows – Part 1]]'' (2010) and ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Part 2]]'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=2023-03-02 |title='Harry Potter' Star Evanna Lynch: 'I Wish People Would Give' J.K. Rowling 'More Grace and Listen to Her' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/evanna-lynch-defends-jk-rowling-harry-potter-1235540770/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807172855/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/evanna-lynch-defends-jk-rowling-harry-potter-1235540770/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Evanna Lynch was cast in the role over [[Saoirse Ronan]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<br><ref>{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Karla |date=2011-08-03 |title=Saoirse Ronan admits disappointment over 'Harry Potter' Luna Lovegood role |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/saoirse-ronan-admits-disappointment-over-harry-potter-luna-lovegood-role-126725153-237404041 |access-date=2020-07-17 |website=Irish Central |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2018-07-11 |title=5 Things You Didn't Know About Saoirse Ronan |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/saoirse-ronan-5-things-you-didnt-know |access-date=2020-07-27 |website=Vogue |language=en |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603011105/https://www.vogue.com/article/saoirse-ronan-5-things-you-didnt-know |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Claire |first=Marie |date=2017-09-07 |title=Evanna Lynch has one regret about playing Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter |url=https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/evanna-lynch-one-regret-playing-luna-lovegood-harry-potter-535354 |access-date=2020-08-01 |website=Marie Claire |language=en |archive-date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907135801/https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/evanna-lynch-one-regret-playing-luna-lovegood-harry-potter-535354 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-07-20 |title=Lizo's interview with Luna Lovegood |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_5190000/newsid_5195400/5195422.stm |access-date=2024-08-28 |work=CBBC Newsround |language=en-GB |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929095736/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_5190000/newsid_5195400/5195422.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Rowling called Lynch "perfect" for the role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haber |first=David |date=5 April 2006 |title=J.K. Rowling Says Book Is Going Well, Evanna Is Perfect |url=https://beyondhogwarts.com/harry-potter/books/j-k-rowling-says-book-is-going-well-evanna-is-perfect/ |access-date=24 August 2024 |website=Beyond Hogwarts |language=en-US |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824170710/https://beyondhogwarts.com/harry-potter/books/j-k-rowling-says-book-is-going-well-evanna-is-perfect/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When developing the visual style of Luna's character, costume designer [[Jany Temime]] stated that Luna "is clearly a girl with her own tastes and her own hobbies, which include making her own jewelry". Thus, Luna's distinctive radish-shaped earrings and Butterbeer-cap necklace referenced in the books are featured in the films. Her "folk art" aura was developed with mismatched outfits in predominantly purple and blue hues featuring animals or natural elements.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Revenson |first=Jody |title=Harry Potter: The Character Vault |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-06-240744-3 |___location=New York, NY |pages=52}}</ref>

==Reception==

Luna says her late mother was a "quite extraordinary witch" who liked "to experiment". She died when one of her spells went "rather badly wrong." Luna says it was "rather horrible" and admits she still feels sad about it sometimes, but is relieved she still has her father. As Luna witnessed her mother's death at the age of nine, she has been able to see [[Thestral]]s since she arrived at [[Hogwarts]].

The entertainment website ''[[IGN]]'' ranked Luna as the 12th best ''Harry Potter'' character. The website called Luna heroic and said she plays a critical role in the student group Dumbledore's Army.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 May 2024 |title=Top 25 Harry Potter characters |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/28/top-25-harry-potter-characters |access-date=24 August 2024 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328231309/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/28/top-25-harry-potter-characters |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Empire'' magazine listed Luna as the 10th best character in the ''Harry Potter'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 May 2017 |title=The 25 Greatest Harry Potter Characters |url=http://www.empireonline.com/features/greatest-harry-potter-characters/16.asp |access-date=2020-07-17 |work=Empire |archive-date=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011160425/http://www.empireonline.com/features/greatest-harry-potter-characters/16.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notes ==

In the Department of Mysteries, Luna claims to be able to hear voices behind a mysterious veil (often referred to in the world of [[fanfiction]] as the "Veil of Death" or the "Black Veil", though it is never named in the book itself) in the Death Chamber, which voices Harry could also hear. Luna appears to believe that dead people, including her mother, reside behind the veil.

{{notelist}}

== References ==

When she explains this to Harry, who was having trouble getting over [[Sirius Black]]'s death, he does not know what to make of it -- another unusual belief of Luna's, or perhaps a comforting metaphor? This question will probably be answered in the forthcoming ''Harry Potter'' books, as we see to what extent Harry's deceased godfather still plays a role in his life.

{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Harry felt like discussing Sirius' death with Luna, when he did not feel comfortable talking about it with anyone else. Many [[Fan (aficionado)|fan]]s believe this is because they share horrible tragedies in their past and that they have both been considered to be mentally unbalanced by others and thus can relate to each other. This has formed the basis for the "Harry/Luna" romantic pairing. See [[Harry Potter fandom#Fan Fiction|Harry Potter Fan Fiction]] for more information.

* {{cite web |last=Busch |first=Jenna |date=2019-04-10 |title=The Resiliency Of Luna Lovegood |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-resiliency-of-luna-lovegood |access-date=2020-07-17 |website=Syfy |language=en}}

* {{cite web |last=Daniel |first=Tiffani |date=2019-06-20 |title=10 Facts About Luna Lovegood They Leave Out Of The Movies |url=https://screenrant.com/harry-potter-luna-lovegood-facts/ |access-date=2020-07-27 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

* {{cite web |last=Granshaw |first=Lisa |date=2018-02-13 |title=7 Reasons Why Luna Lovegood Is Our Favorite Ravenclaw In Harry Potter |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/7-reasons-why-luna-lovegood-is-our-favorite-ravenclaw-in-harry-potter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213214257/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/7-reasons-why-luna-lovegood-is-our-favorite-ravenclaw-in-harry-potter |archive-date=13 February 2018 |access-date=2020-08-01 |website=Syfy |language=en}}

== External links ==

{{commons category|position=left}}{{harrypotter}}

*[http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/luna.html Luna's entry in the Harry Potter Lexicon]

*[http://www.rictusempra.com/luna/ Unique: The Fanlistings.org approved Luna Fanlisting]

*[http://www.harrypotterfanfiction.com Harrypotterfanfiction.com: The site of many Luna-centered stories]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lovegood, Luna}}

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[[Category:Dumbledore'sHarry Army|Lovegood,Potter Lunacharacters]]

[[Category:Ravenclaws|Lovegood,Literary Lunacharacters introduced in 2003]]

[[Category:Teenage characters in film]]

[[Category:Teenage characters in literature]]

[[Category:Fictional members of secret societies]]

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[[Category:Female characters in literature]]

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[[Category:Film characters introduced in 2007]]

[[Category:Fictional characters who use magic]]