| Revision as of 04:33, 22 July 2006 editJc37 (talk | contribs)Administrators48,917 edits added seealso template and removed cleanup template.← Previous edit | Revision as of 13:16, 22 July 2006 edit undoJc37 (talk | contribs)Administrators48,917 edits Continued cleanup, adding links, removing non-wizard magic-users, and merging some information to/from the disambiguation page.Next edit → | ||
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| {{alternateuses}} | {{alternateuses}} | ||
| {{seealso|Magician}} | {{seealso|Magician|Magic}} | ||
| ==General Definition== | ==General Definition== | ||
| {{wiktionarypar|wizard}} | |||
| {{wiktionarypar|sage}} | |||
| A skilled or clever person, with the implication of ] less commonly known. | A skilled or clever person, with the implication of ] less commonly known. | ||
| This is often in regards to knowledge of the internal workings of a ''']''' system. Such a person may be noted as being ] to the ], and utilization of such knowledge is often called magic by ]. | This is often in regards to knowledge of the internal workings of a ''']''' system. Such a person may be noted as being ] to the ], and utilization of such knowledge is often called ] by ]. | ||
| During the ], the term "wizard" referred to a ] or sage. | During the ], the term "wizard" referred to a ] or ]. | ||
| Semantically, the distinction between having knowledge and the active use of that knowledge is the difference between a and a ] (literally: a user of magic). | Semantically, the distinction between having knowledge and the active use of that knowledge is the difference between a and a ] (literally: a user of magic). | ||
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| ] wisard : wise, wise. see ; + , pejorative suffix;<ref> - The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. </ref> Indo-European root: | ] wisard : wise, wise. see ; + , pejorative suffix;<ref> - The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. </ref> Indo-European root: | ||
| ==Wise old man== | ==]== | ||
| The archetypical wizard is the |
The archetypical wizard is the '''wise old man'''. | ||
| The '''wise old man''' (or "Senex") is an ] as described by ]. | |||
| It is also a classic ] figure, and may be seen as a ]. | |||
| In works of fiction, this kind of character is typically represented by a kind and wise, older father-type figure who uses personal knowledge of people and the world, to help tell stories and offer guidance, that in a mystical way illuminate to his audience a sense of who they are and who they might become. | In works of fiction, this kind of character is typically represented by a kind and wise, older father-type figure who uses personal knowledge of people and the world, to help tell stories and offer guidance, that in a mystical way illuminate to his audience a sense of who they are and who they might become. | ||
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| ==Wizards in Fiction== | ==Wizards in Fiction== | ||
| {{Seealso|List of |
{{Seealso|List of magicians in fiction}} | ||
| In modern usage, a '''wizard''' is |
In modern colloquial usage, a '''wizard''' is the practitioner of supernatural ], found in ], ], ]-], and ]. | ||
| ===], ]s and ]s=== | ===], ]s and ]s=== | ||
| ], from the ] surrounding ], is an example of a well-known wizard.]] | ], from the ] surrounding ], is an example of a well-known wizard.]] | ||
| * ] - the famous wizard from ] |
* ] - the famous wizard from ] and their modern retellings. | ||
| * The wizard in the ] of . | |||
| * The ] - four wizards of ancient Greek myths. | * The ] - four wizards of ancient Greek myths. | ||
| * ] - ] god of magic. | |||
| * ] - an ], but in some versions of the tale also a magician. | |||
| * The wizard in ] of ]. | |||
| * ] - the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. | |||
| * ] - the grand wizard of ] | * ] - the grand wizard of ] | ||
| * ] - An ] wizard suggested by scholar ] to be the original ]. | |||
| ===Wizards in ]=== | ===Wizards in ]=== | ||
| {{seealso|:Category:Characters in written fantasy}} | {{seealso|:Category:Characters in written fantasy}} | ||
| * ] - the famous wizard in ]'s '']''. | |||
| * The eponymous character of ]'s '']'' is a stage magician pretending to be a genuine wizard; in the ] the wizard was also a fake. However, in later Oz stories, he studies magic with ] and becomes a genuine wizard. See ]. | * The eponymous character of ]'s '']'' is a stage magician pretending to be a genuine wizard; in the ] the wizard was also a fake. However, in later Oz stories, he studies magic with ] and becomes a genuine wizard. See ]. | ||
| * ], ], ], ] and ] - from ] '']'' - are called ], but are really supernatural beings called ]. In ], "wizard" is a term applied only to the five members of the ]. While other practitioners of magic exist in Middle-earth (good <i>and</i> evil), they are never referred to as wizards. | * ], ], ], ] and ] - from ] '']'' - are called ], but are really supernatural beings called ]. In ], "wizard" is a term applied only to the five members of the ]. While other practitioners of magic exist in Middle-earth (good <i>and</i> evil), they are never referred to as wizards. | ||
| *Ogion and ] (Sparrowhawk) from ]'s '']'' book series, the most well-known of which is '']'', first published in ]. | |||
| * All male magic-users from ]'s '']'' and its sequels are called wizards. (Note that female practicioners of magic are called ].) | * All male magic-users from ]'s '']'' and its sequels are called wizards. (Note that female practicioners of magic are called ].) | ||
| * In the '']'' series by ], wizards are numerous, and can normally be found in the ]. One of the predominant wizards in the series is ]. | * In the '']'' series by ], wizards are numerous, and can normally be found in the ]. One of the predominant wizards in the series is ]. | ||
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| ===Wizards in ]=== | ===Wizards in ]=== | ||
| {{seealso|Wizard (character class)}} | |||
| ====]==== | ====]==== | ||
| Line 61: | Line 57: | ||
| == Wizard claimants == | == Wizard claimants == | ||
| {{seealso|alchemist|shaman|witch|warlock}} | {{seealso|alchemist|shaman|sorcerer|witch|warlock}} | ||
| Throughout history, there have been many who have claimed that to have |
Throughout history, there have been many who have claimed that to have secret knowledge, meant having great, often supernatural, ]. | ||
| The first example of this is the knowledge of the making and tending of ]<ref>http://www.highbeam.com/ref/doc3.asp?docid=1E1:fire and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3670017.stm</ref>. | The first example of this is the knowledge of the making and tending of ]<ref>http://www.highbeam.com/ref/doc3.asp?docid=1E1:fire and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3670017.stm</ref>. | ||
| ==Derived Uses and Related terms== | |||
| * In the writings of ], a Wizard is simply a Self-Realized person (see ]), who recognizes itself (and consequently its ability) as limitless. | |||
| * In some ] games, a ''wizard'' is a member of the world-building staff. | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| <references /> | <references /> | ||
| <!-- Dead note "penn": ''The Dragonfighters of Kulamain'', ISBN 1-4116-4568-5 --> | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 13:16, 22 July 2006
For other uses, see Wizard (fantasy) (disambiguation). See also: Magician and MagicGeneral Definition
A skilled or clever person, with the implication of knowledge less commonly known.
This is often in regards to knowledge of the internal workings of a black box system. Such a person may be noted as being wise to the knowledge, and utilization of such knowledge is often called magic by those not likewise informed.
During the 15th century, the term "wizard" referred to a philosopher or sage.
Semantically, the distinction between having knowledge and the active use of that knowledge is the difference between a sage and a magician (literally: a user of magic).
Anyone who is especially adept or talented in such utilization may be referred to as a wizard (such as a "computer wizard", or in reference to the eponymous character in The Who's song Pinball Wizard), and its utilization called wizardry.
Etymology
Middle English wisard : wise, wise. see wise1; + -ard, pejorative suffix; Indo-European root: weid-
Wise old man
The archetypical wizard is the wise old man.
In works of fiction, this kind of character is typically represented by a kind and wise, older father-type figure who uses personal knowledge of people and the world, to help tell stories and offer guidance, that in a mystical way illuminate to his audience a sense of who they are and who they might become.
The wise old man is often in some way "foreign", that is, from a different culture, nation, or occasionally, even a different time, than those he advises.
Wizards in Fiction
In modern colloquial usage, a wizard is the practitioner of supernatural magic, found in mythology, folklore, fantasy-themed works of fiction, and role-playing games.
Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends
- Merlin - the famous wizard from Arthurian legends and their modern retellings.
- The wizard in the fairy tale of The Wizard King.
- The Telchines - four wizards of ancient Greek myths.
- Väinämöinen - the grand wizard of Kalevala
Wizards in works of fiction
- The eponymous character of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a stage magician pretending to be a genuine wizard; in the 1939 movie version the wizard was also a fake. However, in later Oz stories, he studies magic with Glinda and becomes a genuine wizard. See Wizard (Oz).
- Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, Alatar and Pallando - from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings - are called Wizards, but are really supernatural beings called Maia. In Middle-earth, "wizard" is a term applied only to the five members of the Order of the Istari. While other practitioners of magic exist in Middle-earth (good and evil), they are never referred to as wizards.
- Ogion and Ged (Sparrowhawk) from Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea book series, the most well-known of which is A Wizard of Earthsea, first published in 1968.
- All male magic-users from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and its sequels are called wizards. (Note that female practicioners of magic are called witches.)
- In the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, wizards are numerous, and can normally be found in the Unseen University. One of the predominant wizards in the series is Rincewind.
- Diane Duane describes wizards as emmissaries of "the One" (see God), who take an oath to use powers beyond the comprehension of a non-wizard in the service of life, to keep entropy, personified as a Lone Power, under control and therefore delay the demise of the universe. They are said to still exist in the present day, but due to negative public perception, work undercover.
- The Wizards of Skyhall Trilogy is a three book series, about twelve-year-old antihero turned hero, Arianna Kelt, a reformed thief and wizard seer. It is set in J. R. King's imaginary land of Skyhall.
Wizards in Role Playing
See also: Wizard (character class)Dungeons and Dragons
See also: Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the wizard is one of the base character classes. A wizard is an arcane magic user, and weak in mêlée combat. Wizards spend several years studying magic.
The magic system--where wizards memorize spells which they then forget when they cast them--was heavily influenced by the The Dying Earth stories and novels of Jack Vance.
Wizard claimants
See also: alchemist, shaman, sorcerer, witch, and warlockThroughout history, there have been many who have claimed that to have secret knowledge, meant having great, often supernatural, power.
The first example of this is the knowledge of the making and tending of fire.
References
- Wizard in the Jargon File, and its Wiki version
- Wizard - The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
- http://www.highbeam.com/ref/doc3.asp?docid=1E1:fire and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3670017.stm