What is Hogwarts’ Latin motto in the Harry Potter books?

Hogwarts’ Latin motto in the Harry Potter books is “Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus.”

The motto translates as “Never tickle a sleeping dragon.” It appears on the Hogwarts coat of arms and neatly reflects the school’s magical identity. The phrase also has a humorous quality, contrasting the formal appearance of a Latin motto with practical advice about dangerous creatures.

Hogwarts is the main educational setting of the seven-book series. Students are sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin and study subjects including Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, and Defence Against the Dark Arts.

The motto is sometimes misremembered as a quotation from a spell or as the school’s name in Latin. It is neither: it is a warning associated with the institution. The wording is generally printed without accents, as “Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus,” in references to the school crest and identity.