“You’re Just As Sane As I Am.”

Luna – The Roman goddess of the moon. “Luna” means “moon” in Latin, Romanian and Italian. In Romanian, it also translates to “month.” The word “lunatic” is also derived from the word “lunar,” as it was believed in old times that strange or odd behavior was caused by the moon. “Luna” is a term for “silver” in alchemy.

Oh, Luna, where shall I start? She is honestly one of my absolute favorite characters (probably second to Snape). One of the many reasons I love Luna is because of her confidence. Sure, the other kids tease her, but does she change who she is? Heck no. That’s so inspiring to me and so many others. Luna made me realize that not everyone has to accept you, but as long as you have those few really special friends who are always there for you, that’s what really matters. Growing up, my sisters and I teased each other a lot, and sometimes it hurt more than I let on. But once I was introduced to Luna all those years ago, she helped me accept my imperfections and really embrace them. That’s why Evanna Lynch was the perfect Luna. Have you read Evanna’s story about how Jo helped her overcome her anorexia? It’s beautiful and makes you realize that Jo is different than most celebrities, and people for that matter (another reason to love her).

I was rather upset when I couldn’t find the meaning behind Lovegood on the website I usually find the names, but I realized, it’s kind of obvious. Luna (and Xenophilius) loves everything weird and abnormal, and is genuinely a good person. They both would do anything for those they love, no matter what. Clearly, Luna is a little bit out there, but, again, it’s what I love about her and what makes her so unique. And her name clearly deals with that (as always). The silver has to do with Luna’s eyes. She is described as having silvery-grey eyes, and silver not only has to do with alchemy, which is sort of odd in itself, but the moon. I never used to appreciate how much effort Jo put into the names until I came across this website. Just going through the first few is amazing. I love Jo so much!!!

I love the contrast between Hermione and Luna. Normally, when characters are so opposite, one is good and one is bad, but in this case, they’re both good. I just love that they are both important to Harry, but one helps with logic and the other with his faith. When Hermione has a problem, she resorts to logic and forgets about just having faith. On the other hand, Luna relies solely on her faith, disregarding what normal people would consider logic. I think that makes Luna so interesting, her quirkiness. She always makes you want to laugh, and she was always so intelligent and her quotes are some of my absolute favorites.

I think Luna’s faith in the things that aren’t easily proved helps Harry more than he realizes. Though Harry never really knew Dumbledore’s story or motives, I think Harry learned that you don’t always have to know all the details to trust someone; sometimes, you just have to have blind faith. That’s one of the most important lessons that Luna taught Harry.

I loved when Harry asked Luna to Slughorn’s party (because he couldn’t ask Ginny). I thought it was so sweet, and I was upset that other characters thought it was weird. It showed that Harry didn’t care about other people’s opinions and that he was going to be friends with who he wanted to be friends with. I think it was also significant that Luna told Harry about thestrals. It connected them in a way that no one else would understand. Death of a loved one is hard enough to deal with, and I think because both lost their mothers, it really made that connection so much stronger.  I dislike when people complain about Harry not seeing the thestrals prior to his 5th year, but I think it makes sense. (I also dislike when people get mad at things that J.K. did because she obviously had a reason.) Harry was 1 when his parents died, and I don’t think at the age of 1 he could have truly comprehended that his mother had just died in front of him. However, in his mind, Cedric’s death is entirely his fault. Harry was being polite and tried to let them both win because he didn’t want to be the only champion because he didn’t think it would be fair. Because Harry did the right thing, Cedric died for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m not saying that Luna blames herself for her mother’s death, but in a way, I think we all blame ourselves when we lose someone. Plus, thestrals are really weird. Luna is really weird. It just works.

I honestly believe with all my heart that Luna is the epitome of the Ravenclaw saying “Wit beyond measure is a man’s greatest treasure.” Rowling later revealed that Luna went on to become a magizoologist, discovering many creatures that no one had known about previously. I think that shows just how intelligent Luna really is. Not everyone has the guts to follow their dreams and faith like she does. Luna is also intelligent in another way. She knows what’s really important in life: family and friends. It doesn’t matter that people call her Loony, nor that they think she’s insane. All that matters is that she knows what’s important to her. Again, she is the epitome of another quote, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Wise words from Dr. Seuss.

I saw this post on tumblr the other day and somehow it completely grabs the essence of Luna in just a few short words.

One thing that I liked better in the movies than the books (shocker, I know) is that they sort of shipped Neville and Luna, and I think they would have been perfect together because they were both outcasts who ended up having huge impact in Harry’s life and in the Battle of Hogwarts. Go underdogs!

Luna is probably one of the most influential characters Jo created and I know Luna is definitely part of the reason that I’m a proud Ravenclaw.

More on Luna here!

I’m sorry, I had to.

Some quotes from Luna:

“I’ve been able to see them ever since my first year here. They’ve always pulled the carriages. Don’t worry. You’re just as sane as I am.”

Harry: “How would you like to come to Slughorn’s party with me tonight?” Luna: “Slughorn’s party? With you?” Harry: “Yeah. We’re supposed to bring guests, so I thought you might like; I mean, just as friends, you know. But if you don’t want to;” Luna: “Oh no, I’d love to go with you as friends! Nobody’s ever asked me to a party before, as a friend! Is that why you dyed your eyebrow, for the party? Should I dye mine too?”

Luna: “There are ways of flying other than with broomsticks.” Ron: “I’s’pose we’re going to ride on the back of the Kacky Snorgle or whatever it is?” Luna: “The Crumple-Horned Snorkack can’t fly, but they can, and Hagrid says they’re very good at finding places their riders are looking for.”

“I enjoyed the meetings, too. It was like having friends.”

“Oh, no,” she said, smiling at him. “They’ll come back, they always do in the end. It was just that I wanted to pack tonight. Anyway … why aren’t you at the feast?”

Harry: “Have you…I mean, who … has anyone you known ever died?” Luna: “Yes, my mother. She was a quite extraordinary witch, you know, but she did like to experiment and one of her spells went rather badly wrong one day. I was nine.” Harry: “I’m sorry,” Luna: “Yes, it was rather horrible. I still feel very sad about it sometimes. But I’ve still got Dad. And anyway, it’s not as though I’ll never see Mum again, is it?” Harry: “Er – isn’t it?” Luna: “Oh, come on. You heard them, just behind the veil, didn’t you?” Harry: ” You mean…” Luna: “In that room in the archway. They were just lurking out of sight, that’s all, you heard them.”

“Oh, no. No, I think I’ll just go down and have some pudding and wait for it all to turn up…. It always does in the end.”

Luna: “People expect you to have cooler friends than us.” Harry: “You are cool. None of them were at the Ministry. They didn’t fight with me.” Luna: “That’s a very nice thing to say.”

Harry: “Sorry I made you miss the carriages, by the way, Luna.” Luna: “That’s all right, it’s like being with a friend.” Harry: “Oh, I am your friend, Luna.” Luna: “That’s nice.”

Luna: “I’d want some peace and quiet, if it were me.” Harry: “I’d love some.”Luna: “I’ll distract them all. Use your cloak. Oooh, look, a Blibbering Humdinger!”

Luna: “Whenever you’re ready, Sir.” Dobby: “Sir? I like her very much.”

Plus more here!