Ravenclaw House Personality Traits: Good and Bad

Ravenclaws are highly intelligent and shine academically. They are considered the metaphorical “nerds” of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As stereotypes go, they sometimes get mistreated because of how they look (“Moaning” Myrtle) or how they act (Luna Lovegood).

Find the good and bad traits of Ravenclaw wizards and witches, plus which Ravenclaw characters most epitomize these characteristics.

What Kind of Person is a Ravenclaw?

Ravenclaws are characterized by their brilliance, creativity, wit, and originality. They are very competitive academically, and they are also diligent and attentive friends, leaders, and teachers.

Good Personality Traits	Bad Personality Traits
Intelligent	Perfectionists
Skilled	Arrogant
Unique	Snobby
Curious	Calculating
Rational	Judgmental

Read more: Most Famous Ravenclaw Characters

Good Ravenclaw Personality Traits

Ravenclaw House is full of clever, studious, thoughtful, and unique witches and wizards. They are simultaneously independent, curious, and creative.

They are the ones you go to when you need some good advice from a friend or a great tutor.

Intelligent

As you already know, intelligence is the key trait of Ravenclaw House. They value their educational studies and apply themselves earnestly in all that they do.

Sometimes they are mocked or ridiculed because of how much they care about schooling. Some of them also have odd obsessions with things of the wizarding world, like magical creatures (like Luna Lovegood).

You may be surprised that Hermione Grainger was sorted into Gryffindor when these traits seem to describe her. However, the Sorting Hat did admit that she was almost placed into Ravenclaw instead.

Skilled

Ravenclaws are exceptionally talented. They have a wide variety of interests, and they have a knack for being very good at them.

Garrick Ollivander, famously known as the best wandmaker in the wizarding world, showed signs of talent in young adulthood at making wands.

Later on, we find out that he handcrafts every wand and remembers each one that he sells.

Unique

Ravenclaw House contains some of the most unique witches and wizards at Hogwarts.

Professor Flitwick is the perfect example of a unique member of Ravenclaw House. He was part Goblin and Goblins were not treated very well in the wizarding world.

From the time he was born, people thought he would not amount to anything because of this. However, he never let it hinder his success and went on to be the Charms Master at Hogwarts.

Curious

When you think of Ravenclaw, you probably picture the eccentric and endearing Luna Lovegood.

She has a curious outlook on life and lives life to the fullest. Because Luna witnessed her mother’s death when she was little, she can see Thestrals (the black horses that pull the carriages of students to Hogwarts) when no one else can.

Instead of being afraid of these creatures, and the fact that only she could see them, she merely reacted to them with wonder and awe.

Rational

Hogwarts could use some rational students to even out all the chaos and disorder. Ravenclaws are generally level-headed and think logically rather than emotionally, unlike Gryffindors.

When Harry said that Voldemort was back after Cedric Diggory died, many people did not believe him, even calling him crazy.

However, Luna and Cho listened to what he had to say, thought it through rationally, and eventually believed him.

Read more:

• How To Retake the Sorting Hat Quiz

Bad Ravenclaw Personality Traits

While Ravenclaw House members have their good qualities, they can also be cunning, calculated, prideful, judgmental, and overly competitive.

Because of the high standards they set for themselves and others, they tend to distance or isolate themselves and usually spend time with members from their own house.

Cunning

While Ravenclaws are intelligent and usually have good intentions, they sometimes use their guile to their advantage to manipulate people.

Marietta Edgecombe was a Ravenclaw who slyly went behind the backs of the members of Dumbledore’s Army and told Dolores Umbridge what they were doing.

Some may think she caved under the pressure of trying to protect her mother’s job with the Ministry of Magic.

However, it was no secret that she resented Harry even after he tried to teach her certain spells in Dumbledore’s Army.

Arrogant

Ravenclaws have a lot to be proud of, and sometimes that goes to their head. Gilderoy Lockhart was one of the most arrogant wizards from Ravenclaw House and craved attention.

He wrote a book detailing all of his interactions with Dark creatures and dangerous experiences and then proceeded to boast about himself until we find out he was lying the entire time.

Snobby

Ravenclaws often come off as snobby because they think of themselves as better or smarter than the other houses. Sometimes they think that only a fellow Ravenclaw can understand their ambition for academic success.

For example, when Harry asks Cho out, Marietta is standing nearby and snickers. She thinks that Harry is not good enough for Cho and makes her opinion known.

Calculating

There is a devious side to some Ravenclaws, as with all the houses. They can use their cleverness to take advantage of others with their schemes.

Even though Lord Voldemort came out of Slytherin, he would not have been able to rise again without the help of Ravenclaw alum Quirinus Quirrell.

Professor Quirrell helped Voldemort deceive people at Hogwarts, and because he was so cunning, he got away with it for a long time.

Judgmental

Since Ravenclaws are academically motivated and tend to excel in this area, they sometimes look down on the other witches and wizards that are not as smart as them.

They may not be as egotistical as Slytherins or as cocky as Gryffindors, but they are judgmental in their own ways.

See more:

• 10 Hufflepuff Personality Traits

What are the Zodiac Signs of a Ravenclaw?

Geminis, Libras, Cancers, and Ravenclaws are all open-minded and creative intellectuals. They are also friendly and very protective of their friends and family.

Gemini

Both Geminis and Ravenclaws are curious, clever, and witty. They adapt well to any situation and are both highly intelligent.

Libra

Libras and Ravenclaws are very creative and have a thirst for knowledge and learning. They are warm and friendly, and they are the ones that other people go to for good advice.

Cancer

Ravenclaws and cancers are independent and self-reliant but also loyal to the ones they love. They are imaginative and inspire others as well.

Read more:

• What are the Harry Potter Characters MBTI Types (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)