Rowena Ravenclaw

Appearance: “Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,” (GF12). The word “fair” can refer to overall attractiveness (as in “Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all” in Snow White) as well as paleness of skin color or hair. Although neither one is canon, both the image by Lightmaker from Jo’s website (see left) and the one on the original Famous Wizard card (Electronic Arts ™) show Ravenclaw with long dark hair and brown eyes.
Home: According to the Sorting Hat…”Ravenclaw came “from glen,” which, according to Lexicon reader Ian, probably means somewhere in Scotland, such as Glencoe or the Great Glen where Loch Ness is.
Family: A daughter named Helena, now known as The Grey Lady, the ghost of Ravenclaw House at Hogwarts (DH31).
Skills: Her Famous Wizard card tells us that “[i]t’s thought that she came up with the ever-changing floor plan. She’s best remembered for her intelligence and creativity.”
Artifacts: Diadem (tiara) inscribed “Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure” which bestows wisdom when worn. Stolen by her daughter Helena, who ran away to Albania and hid the diadem in a tree. It was later found by Tom Riddle who made a Horcrux with it and hid it in the room of Requirement. The diadem was destroyed by Fiendfyre (DH31) (see Horcruxes page for more information).
Device: Eagle.
Colors: Blue and bronze.
According to Jo’s website, Ravenclaw was “the most brilliant witch of her time,” who, according to legend, died of a broken heart (cause unknown) (JKR).
She is said to have stated: “We will teach those whose intelligence is surest.” (OP11) (fw16) Rowena was dear friends with Helga Hufflepuff.