What Latin motto appears on the Hogwarts coat of arms in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series?

The Latin motto on the Hogwarts coat of arms in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is “Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus.”

The phrase translates as “Never tickle a sleeping dragon.” It appears beneath the shield associated with Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The motto suits the school’s connection with dragons and gives a humorous warning about provoking danger unnecessarily.

The Hogwarts crest combines symbols associated with the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own emblematic animal and colors, while the school crest brings them together around the central institution.

The motto is fictional Latin created for the wizarding world, not an ancient historical motto of a real school. It is also distinct from the individual house mottos or slogans sometimes invented by fans. The four Latin words are usually translated rather than directly explained in the novels.