Four beasts, four founders, one goal; to pass on the knowledge of magic to new generations. In the Harry Potter novels, Hogwarts the main backdrop nearly all events that take place throughout the various storylines. The motto (in Latin) translates as “Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon”, and each of the heraldic animals represents one of the original founders of the school:

Godric Gryffindor- gold lion on a red field

Helga Hufflepuff- black badger on a yellow field

Salazar Slytherin- silver serpent on a green field

Rowena Ravenclaw- bronze eagle on a blue field