I'm not sure if this has been covered before, but is there any difference between a curse, a hex, and a jinx?

I'm pretty sure they are used interchangeably in canon. In PS, curses and counter-curses are mentioned. In HBP jinxes and counter-jinxes are mentioned.

I can't remember any fanfic which describes the differences between these. We are told about x curse, y hex, and z jinx, but not what makes it a curse, hex, or jinx.

Thoughts? Anyone want to attempt to define these?

 

I think a Jinx is like a channelled spell of a sort.. you have to keep your focus on it.

I think a curse is an instantaneous effect, sometimes reversible (Avada Kedavra isn't reversible after all )

A Hex is something that is triggered by something else, i think.

(Wasn't the spell on the DA parchment a hex?)

I think that's how it goes.

 

I've always thought that they were judged by there effects. A jinx would be a nuisance type spell that doesn't do any real harm. A hex would be a step up from that and could do real damage to a person if it was used right. Then a curse would obviously be something that dishes out the pain.

*shrugs* I don't think that there is any real canon explanation, but this is just how I have always differentiated them in my mind.

 

No, I don't think there is any canon defenition for these terms. My understanding (perhaps from JKR quotes, perhaps not) is that curse is a spell definitely cast to harm, hex is like a curse but not as harmful, jinx is a joke spell.

Not sure if there's any real standard. If you're going to use them in fanfiction, feel free to do whatever you like.

EDIT: fuubar said it before me.

 

These are your own definitions, right?

Anyways, your jinx should be a curse. Remember when Quirrel cursed Harry's broom? He had to keep his focus on it, and when he got knocked over, the curse ended. But then we have the unforgivables. Imperious apparently doesn't need sustained focus along with AK, but Crucio apparently does (like Quirrel's broom curse).

Can you expound on your definition of a hex?

I suppose this is a decent definition.

I don't think jinx's are limited to joke spells though. Isn't the anti apparation spell a jinx? Or is that fanon? And why the talk about counter-jinxes in HBP if they are joke spells? I doubt death eaters are throwing around joke spells that need counters for.

edit: I was right about the anti apparation jinx. From HP lexicon:

Anti-Disapparition Jinx no names or words given
Prevents someone from Apparating.

• Albus Dumbledore captured the Death Eaters who had been fighting in the Department of Mysteries and held them with an Anti-Disapparition Jinx (OP36).

That's a pretty serious spell, stopping apparation.

 

I was under the impression that the spell cast on Harry's broom in PS was a jinx. Odd. Anyone got the source material on hand?

 

No, it's definitely a curse. I don't have the source material either, but it's probably on the lexicon somewhere.

Also, here is what the lexicon says on the matter. It defines a jinx, but not curse or hex:


jinxes
A jinx is a spell cast to cause damage or other negative effect. A jinx is similar to a curse, but typically not as powerful or cast with such negative intention. Jinxes are part of defensive magic, although Umbridge tried to teach that spells should never be used in this way, even in self-defense or as part of a legitimate attack. She used the textbook Defensive Magical Theory by Slinkhard:

'He says that counter-jinxes are improperly named,' said Hermione promptly. 'He says "counter-jinx" is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable (OP15)'. ​

A jinx is removed or undone by a counter-jinx. Defenses against jinxes are called "anti-jinxes." Some jinxes are also referred to as hexes.

• Jinxes:
  • Anti-Disapparation Jinx
  • Backfiring Jinx
  • finger-removing jinx
  • Hair-thickening Charm
  • Impediment Jinx
  • Jelly-Brain Jinx
  • Jelly-Legs Jinx
  • Revulsion Jinx
  • snitch jinx
  • Stretching jinx
  • Trip Jinx

It seems that curses are a little more malicious in nature, but some jinxes are interchangeable with curses. The impediment jinx is also curse according to the lexicon, and it seems a few others are interchangeable.

It seems that hexes are the least damaging, while jinxes are defensive magic that is a little more serious and may be interchangeable with some curses, although not on the level of curses in general. Curses seem to be the most serious, damaging, destructive, and long lasting offensive spells in canon.

This is the result of analyzing the list of spells at the HP Lexicon.

 

http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=24

Which only leaves the problem of defining "Dark magic"...I've written an article on that, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link it...

 

Thanks for the input.

JKR kind of contradicts herself about curses being dark magic. I mean sure there are the Unforgivables and some other nasty curses, but the Babbling curse, body bind curse, impediment, jelly fingers, leg locker, and sponge knee curse seem pretty tame to me, and should probably be (by JKR's definitions) jinxes or hexes.

There's definitely a murky area regarding these as some jinxes are curses and some hexes are jinxes, but I think it's safe to assume that usually curses are more malicious and long lasting than jinxes and hexes, and that usually a hex or jinx is a more minor or irritating spell, although there are definitely exceptions to this general rule.