Harry Potter: What Wand Would the Characters of Friends Have?
Friends may have gone off the air at the height of the Harry Potter phenomenon, but that doesn't mean it was not effected by it. Just as an entire generation can name their Hogwarts house, so too can an entire generation pick their favorite Friends character and episode.
Both Friends and Harry Potter are common reference points for pop culture fanatics the world over. That's why it makes perfect sense to push both phenomenons together and let a wand choose the wizard, if only Ollivander had shipped internationally to Manhattan. So let's wand lore from the Wizarding World online and apply it to our favorites from the NBC hit.
10 Richard
Richard, Monica's older but very steady boyfriend, made his first appearance in season two. Tom Selleck and his mustache made quite the impression. Richard was known for being friends with Monica's father, as well as being very popular with Joey and Chandler, who tried to emulate him, smoking cigars and growing mustaches of their own.
As a wizard, Richard would have done well with a wand with a unicorn hair core. Unicorn hair produces the most consistent magic of the three major Ollivander cores. That would have paired well with Alder, which is known as "an unyielding wood, yet I have discovered that its ideal owner is not stubborn or obstinate, but often helpful, considerate and most likable."
9 Mike
Mike, the eventual Mr. Phoebe Buffay, was known for his sense of fun and his uncompromising love of the fabulous Phoebe.
He would have done well with a wand with dragon heartstring at its core. Dragon heartstring was always capable of the most flamboyant magic. This core would pair well with dogwood. Dogwood, according to J.K. Rowling, "have playful natures and insist upon partners who can provide them with scope for excitement and fun".
8 Janice
Chandler's on again/off again girlfriend from season one, Janice, is best known for her nasal line delivery and her "oh my god." Janice would have paired well with a phoenix feather core, as phoenix feather is best for the greatest variety of magic, and Janice was a variety all her own.
Ebony wood would pair well with the phoenix feather for Janice. Ebony, according to J.K. Rowling worked well for wizards who were, "Frequently non-conformist, highly individual or comfortable with the status of outsider". That sounds like it would work for Janice for certain.
7 Gunther
Gunther, the manager of Central Perk, and guest star with the most appearances over ten seasons, certainly deserves a magic wand of his own. Gunther, despite everything, showed up for work every day and didn't complain (although he often had reason to).
His consistency would pair well with a unicorn hair core for a wand. As for the wand wood, chestnut would likely work well for Gunther. "The wand of chestnut is attracted to witches and wizards who are skilled tamers of magical beasts, those who possess great gifts in Herbology."
6 Joey
The lovable dunce of the friend group, Joey just wanted to have a good time and a snack. He could help keep things light, and no one could beat his facial expressions.
His flair for the dramatic would mean that a dragon heartstring core would be best for one Joey Tribbiani. That dragon heartstring would pair nicely with spruce, a wood known for being "a superb helper, intensely loyal to their owners and capable of producing particularly flamboyant and dramatic effects."
5 Chandler
Longtime roommate of Joey, Chandler Bing could certainly have used a little magical help in both his career and his love life (until he proposed to Monica that is).
He would do well with a wand of unicorn hair, the consistency of the magic would be good for him. His sense of humor would pair well with spruce, just like his roommate Joey. There's a reason the pair were best friends, and the very best apartment-mates in the entire show, and perhaps the world.
4 Ross
The down to earth Ross may have the hardest time accepting that magic is real but, if he did, his wand would certainly have the most practical core, that of unicorn hair.
The hard working, study focused Ross would also have a wand of beech. Wizards with beech wands are known for being "wise beyond his or her years". The wood also provides "a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in any other wood, hence its lustrous reputation."
3 Phoebe
Phoebe Buffay may very well have been a witch and just not let viewers in on her secret. If she was a witch, her expressive personality would certainly have paired her with the most flamboyant of cores, dragon heartstring, ready at every moment to make the world a little brighter and more interesting. This would have paired well with pine for Phoebe.
Like Phoebe herself, the "pine wand always chooses an independent, individual master who may be perceived as a loner, intriguing and perhaps mysterious. Pine wands enjoy being used creatively, and unlike some others, will adapt unprotestingly to new methods and spells. "
2 Monica
The ever organized, always clean Monica Geller would have a wand ready for consistency. Like her future husband, Chandler Bing, her wand would have a core of unicorn hair.
As for wand wood, she would likely have a wand made of laurel. "The laurel wand seems unable to tolerate laziness in a possessor," and Monica was anything but lazy for sure.
1 Rachel
Rachel Green, the catalyst for Friends as a whole, ran from her wedding in the pilot episode and set out to make a new life for herself.
Phoenix feather, with its versatility as a wand core, would be perfect for Rachel. Rachel would also do well with a wand made of maple. "Those chosen by maple wands are by nature travelers and explorers; they are not stay-at-home wands, and prefer ambition in their witch or wizard."