It's important to remember the ongoing controversial statements by the creator of the Harry Potter franchise. CBR supports the hard work of industry professionals on properties fans know and love and the wider world of Harry Potter that fans have adopted as their own. You can find CBR's continuing coverage on J.K. Rowling here.
The world of Harry Potter has a rich history of witches and wizards that started from nothing and grew to greatly impact the world. Perhaps the greatest example of this was Albus Dumbledore, whose legacy included stopping Gellert Grindelwald and being instrumental in stopping Lord Voldemort. He was also a carrier of one of the Deathly Hallows, the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in the Wizarding World. But like all heroes, he didn't obtain his version of Excalibur until he earned it.
Dumbledore fought Gellert Grindelwald in a climactic final duel that was remembered for decades. But when Dumbledore beat his rival, he also earned the Elder Wand, as winning or disarming its current user was the only way it could be obtained. That said, before his story with the Elder Wand began, Dumbledore had his own wand that was as mysterious as he was. However, unbeknownst to the untrained eye, Dumbledore's wand went through a last-minute change behind-the-scenes.
Why Dumbledore's First Wand Was Altered
All wizards that have attended or taught at Hogwarts performed magic by using wands likely obtained in Ollivander's. However, it's unknown the exact year Dumbledore obtained his, let alone what materials it was made of. Though Dumbledore's behind-the-scenes history with his wand, while less mysterious, was far more surprising. According to prop designer Pierre Bohanna, creator of the wands since the first Harry Potter, the initial wand had a much different design.
Bohanna explained that the original wand Dumbledore used a wand that was grooved with cylindrical shapes down the shaft. But because it resembled the Elder Wand too much, it was altered into something even more unique. Though it no longer looked like the Elder Wand, it was still as mysterious and was black with an intricate swirl that connected the shaft to the handle. While it's not noticed by many, the change ultimately benefitted Dumbledore's overall character growth.
Dumbledore's First Wand Solidified His Skill as a Wizard
Wands, though used best by a magic user, have always carried a degree of power that's set each apart. For example, the Elder Wand may be the most powerful in canon but under the use of an inexperienced witch or wizard, that power would mean nothing. Of all the magic users to prove this, Dumbledore did it best. Even before he earned the Elder Wand, his skills were unmatched by nearly every witch and wizard. It was this same skill that ultimately earned him the Elder Wand and proved a wand would only be as good as its wizard.
Changing Dumbledore's first wand helped incredibly in the symbolism of obtaining the Elder Wand. For starters, his first wand was black, which represented his regrets from the falling out he had with his family, the death of his sister and his conflict with Grindelwald. But by obtaining the Elder Wand, its white color showed that Dumbledore was ready to grow and, while still harboring regrets, wouldn't let his past define him. As a result, though the change to Dumbledore's wand may have seemed unnecessary, it helped grow his character exponentially.