The witch or wizard dormitory is a place of rest and refuge for magical students attending schools such as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. These dormitories are located within the school grounds and are separate for male and female students. In these dormitories, each student is assigned a bed, usually in a room shared with several other students of the same gender and age group. The beds are typically simple and functional, often with curtains or canopies for privacy. The bedding is usually comfortable and magical in nature, ensuring a good night's sleep for the young witches and wizards. The dormitories are often decorated with the colors and emblems of the respective school houses, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among the students.
The board of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics have finally announced their mascots for the upcoming games, and needless to say, people’s initial reaction could be summed up in one word — “quoi?” At a first glance, these googly-eyed characters, lovingly named “The Phryges,” appear to be some sort of sea animals or maybe little mythical creatures created for the Olympics. After a quick skimming of the Paris 2024 official website, however, it turns out that the Phryges are actually based on the Phrygian cap worn by French revolutionaries and even Marianne, the French national symbol of freedom.
Between the cap s use in stamps, statues and even national school curriculums, it s clear that this mascot has deep ties to France s culture and, despite its outwardly cartoon-y appearance, it garners a lot of respect from the French population. Nevertheless, Cobi is a top-tier mascot because sometimes it wears an adorable suit like a pretend businessman, showing a versatility that not many mascots can pull off.
The dormitories are often decorated with the colors and emblems of the respective school houses, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among the students. Common areas for socializing and studying are also present, allowing students to interact and collaborate with their peers. Within the dormitories, rules and regulations are implemented to maintain a safe and harmonious environment.
The Mascot for the 2024 Summer Olympics is Not What You Think
The board of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics have finally announced their mascots for the upcoming games, and needless to say, people’s initial reaction could be summed up in one word — “quoi?” At a first glance, these googly-eyed characters, lovingly named “The Phryges,” appear to be some sort of sea animals or maybe little mythical creatures created for the Olympics. After a quick skimming of the Paris 2024 official website, however, it turns out that the Phryges are actually based on the Phrygian cap worn by French revolutionaries and even Marianne, the French national symbol of freedom.
The History
On the Paris 2024 Olympics website, there are blurbs about the Phrygian cap’s history and why it was chosen to be the official mascot for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The caps have been seen both in artistic renditions of the construction of the Notre-Dame cathedral in 1163, as well as photos of French athletes participating in the Olympic games in 1924. Between the cap’s use in stamps, statues and even national school curriculums, it’s clear that this mascot has deep ties to France’s culture and, despite its outwardly cartoon-y appearance, it garners a lot of respect from the French population.
How It Compares
There is a common theme throughout the mascots of past Olympics, and most of them seem to be national or highly symbolic animals. In 1980, the Moscow Olympics had a brown bear, the Soviet Union’s national symbol, as their mascot. In 2000, the Sydney Olympics had three mascots: Olly the Kookaburra, Syd the Platypus and Millie the Echidna. All three mascots held significance not only to the host country but also to the games and the honor associated with them. The 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City also had three mascots, all of which were animals indigenous to Utah with names related to important resources found across our state. Powder the snowshoe hare represented Utah’s booming skiing economy, Copper the coyote represented the copper mines in South Jordan and Coal the American black bear represented the coal mines in Southern Utah.
In terms of non-animal mascots, these are fewer and far-between compared to the animals, but the Phryges are definitely not the first. The 2004 Athens Olympics featured two children, Athena and Phevos, as their mascots that were reminiscent of ancient Greek dolls, and the 2006 Turin Olympics personified a snowball and an ice cube to represent “softness, friendship and elegance” as well as “enthusiasm and joy,” respectively.
As much as I wish I could say that the Phryges are the strangest Olympic mascots I’ve seen, the 2012 London Olympics takes the cake. Their mascots, named Wenlock and Mandeville after the villages Much Wenlock and Stoke Mandeville, are drops of steel with cameras as eyes that represent the Industrial Revolution in the UK.
Final Thoughts
It’s incredibly refreshing to see a mascot that includes a prosthetic leg to represent those with disabilities participating in the Paralympic Games. A brief scroll through the International Paralympic Committee’s website reveals that while many of the mascots change design slightly for the Paralympic Games, the Phryge might be the first ever Paralympic mascot with a visible disability. That kind of representation may seem insignificant, but it feels odd that it’s never been done before. At the end of the day, the Phryges are fairly well-designed and will make excellent marketable plushies while also carrying a lot of history for the host country.
Hidy and Howdy look like the inspiration for Beanie Babies, which wouldn’t debut for another five years. They were named Hidy and Howdy in honor of Calgary’s friendly nature. Howdy is literally short for “how do you do?”
Students are expected to adhere to curfew hours, contribute to maintaining cleanliness, and respect the personal spaces of their fellow dorm mates. Living in the dormitory setting provides several advantages. Students have easy access to school facilities, such as libraries and classrooms, allowing them to conveniently attend classes and complete their assignments. Additionally, the close proximity to fellow students fosters a sense of community and allows for friendships and bonds to form. Many magical schools also have a system of prefects or house leaders who reside in the dormitories. These students are responsible for maintaining order and addressing any issues that may arise within the dormitory community. Overall, the witch or wizard dormitory is a crucial aspect of the magical school experience, providing students with a comfortable and supportive living environment. It is a place where young witches and wizards can rest, socialize, and nurture their magical talents while forging lifelong friendships..
Reviews for "The Magical History of Witch and Wizard Dormitories"
1. Jane Smith - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the "Witch or wizard dormitory" experience. The dorms were cramped and uncomfortable, with barely enough space to move around. The beds were old and creaky, making it difficult to get a good night's sleep. Additionally, the bathrooms were shared between a large number of people, resulting in long queues and unclean facilities. Overall, the dormitory lacked the basic amenities and comfort that one would expect from a magical experience.
2. Tom Johnson - 1/5 - My stay at the "Witch or wizard dormitory" was a complete disaster. The dorms were filthy and poorly maintained. There were cobwebs in the corners and dust everywhere. The beds were lumpy and uncomfortable, and the bedding seemed like it hadn't been washed in ages. The shared bathrooms were in horrible condition, with broken fixtures and a terrible smell. It was a truly unpleasant experience, and I would not recommend staying here to anyone.
3. Emily Davis - 2/5 - I had high expectations for the "Witch or wizard dormitory," but it unfortunately did not live up to them. The dorms were incredibly noisy, making it difficult to get any rest. It seemed like the walls were paper-thin, as I could hear every conversation and sound from neighboring rooms. The lack of privacy was a major drawback. Additionally, the dormitory lacked proper ventilation, resulting in stuffy and uncomfortable conditions. I would advise against staying here unless you enjoy sleepless nights and feeling suffocated.