A wand is a thin, light-weight rod that is held with one hand, and is traditionally made of wood, but may also be made of other materials, such as metal or plastic. A wand that is used for magical purposes is often called a magic wand, rather than simply a wand. Wands are distinct from scepters, which have a greater thickness, are held differently, and have a relatively large top ornament on them.

In ancient times, the earliest wand holder was from ancient Greece under the rites of the Goddess Athena, Pallas-Athene who carries the power of a Wand. Homer says “Her appearance altered, and now she looked like a woman, tall, beautiful and accomplished.” Many of these qualities is because she is the holder of a Wand which rules transformation: “Athene touched him now with her wand, She withered the smooth skin on his supple limbs, robbed his head of sunburn, covered his whole body with the wrinkles of old age, and dimmed the light that shone in his beautiful eyes.”

In modern times, wands are usually associated with stage magic or real magic, but there have been other uses, all stemming from the original meaning as a synonym of rod and virge. A stick that is used for reaching, pointing, drawing in the dirt, and directing other people, is one of the earliest and simplest of tools.

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