Welcome to the home of the Lionhearted. The element is fire. The colors scarlet and gold. For more about symbolism of Gryffindor and Slytherin, see my essay on the subject. Gryffindor is the "golden" house, the favorite of Rowling and the house intended to be seen as ideal. Here dwell the "brave of heart." Who doesn't want to be brave? Astrologically, Gryffindor corresponds to the element of Fire and the three signs of Fire, Aries, Leo and 
Saggitarius. The traits favored in Gryffindor are often the same ones favored by society. Gryffindors are outgoing, generous and adventurous. They are the "doers" of the world. They are the ones most likely to succeed in business. They are the ones likely to be jocks in school, yearbook heros and all that. As such, it is easy to see why they are sometimes the target of criticism and even resentment. Their fire is displayed in such a way as to make the other houses shine a little less brightly. Slytherins despise them for their easy charm and magnetism. And all the main sympathetic characters are all in Gryffindor. Some might say they're just too good to live!
