I think your definition of the verb "mark" is too narrow. If we look at Google's definitions, the one I see that best fits is the following:

To make or leave a mark on.

Where the noun "mark" can refer to

a sign or indication: an impression (such as a scratch, scar or stain) made on something

Note that this definition implies nothing about intent. Thus, if we interpret the prophecy with this definition, it could mean that Voldemort "marked" Harry as his equal, personally I might add, with either the literal scar being the mark, or simply the events that transpired (Harry surviving the killing curse) being the mark that sets Harry apart.

Beyond that, I would argue that it's impossible to intentionally mark someone as your equal, as by virtue of you having the power to mark someone as your equal you inherently establish a power dynamic, wherein they are "your equal" only because you said so. I don't care how many times the Globetrotters play the Washington Generals, the Generals are not equals to the Globetrotters. What I'm trying to get at is your definition of the word "mark" causes the whole prophecy to become paradoxical.

But how does the scar indicate that Harry is Voldemorts equal? There are plenty of ways to interpret this, and unless Rowling comes out and states that one is true (which I doubt she'll do) it's up to the reader to decide which one they think is best. Here are my favorite;

1. The mark could just imply "this is the person in the prophecy." Just by virtue of Voldemort believing the prophecy, Harry becomes Voldemorts "final boss", a rival, whatever.
2. Harry becomes a beacon of hope, a counter-symbol to the people of the world. I believe there's even a quote in the book that Harry becomes as famous as Voldemort. People literally die to protect Harry because they believe that Harry is the only hope they have to defeat Voldemort. "The Boy Who Lived" vs "The Flight of Death"
3. My favorite interpretation is the following; the mark signifies that Harry defeated death. Voldemort is known to have been obsessed in becoming immortal. The name he chose means flight of death in French for heavens sake. In the moment when Voldemort attempts the Killing Curse on Harry, two things happen: firstly, Harry survives the curse due to his mothers protection and secondly, Voldemort survived either the curse bouncing off or whatever counter spell was triggered that would surely have killed anyone else. In that moment, they are equals in that they escape death.

I think your definition of the verb "mark" is too narrow. If we look at Google's definitions, the one I see that best fits is the following:

To make or leave a mark on.

Where the noun "mark" can refer to

a sign or indication: an impression (such as a scratch, scar or stain) made on something

Note that this definition implies nothing about intent. Thus, if we interpret the prophecy with this definition, it could mean that Voldemort "marked" Harry as his equal, personally I might add, with either the literal scar being the mark, or simply the events that transpired (Harry surviving the killing curse) being the mark that sets Harry apart.

Beyond that, I would argue that it's impossible to intentionally mark someone as your equal, as by virtue of you having the power to mark someone as your equal you inherently establish a power dynamic, wherein they are "your equal" only because you said so. I don't care how many times the Globetrotters play the Washington Generals, the Generals are not equals to the Globetrotters. What I'm trying to get at is your definition of the word "mark" causes the whole prophecy to become paradoxical.

But how does the scar indicate that Harry is Voldemorts equal? And if so, equal in what? There are plenty of ways to interpret this, and unless Rowling comes out and states that one is true (which I doubt she'll do) it's up to the reader to decide which one they think is best. Here are my favorite;

1. The mark could just imply "this is the person in the prophecy." Just by virtue of Voldemort believing the prophecy, Harry becomes Voldemorts "final boss", a rival, whatever.

2. Harry becomes a beacon of hope, a counter-symbol to Voldemort in the eyes of the people of the world. I believe there's even a quote in the book that Harry becomes as famous as Voldemort. People literally die to protect Harry because they believe that Harry is the only hope they have to defeat Voldemort. Harry and his scar becomes equally famous and equally symbolic in the fight for the world.

3. My favorite interpretation is the following; the mark signifies that Harry defeated death. Voldemort is known to have been obsessed in becoming immortal. The name he chose means flight of death in French for heavens sake. In the moment when Voldemort attempts the Killing Curse on Harry, two things happen: firstly, Harry survives the curse due to his mothers protection and secondly, Voldemort survived either the curse bouncing off or whatever counter spell was triggered that would surely have killed anyone else. In that moment, they are equals in that they escape death.

I think your definition of the verb "mark" is too narrow. If we look at Googles definitions, the one I see that best fits is the following:

"To make or leave a mark on."

Where the noun "mark" can refer to "a sign or indication: an impression (such as a scratch, scar or stain) made on something"

Note that this definition implies nothing about intent. Thus, if we interpret the prophecy with this definition, it could mean that Voldemort "marked" Harry as his equal, personally I might add, with either the literal scar being the mark, or simply the events that transpired (Harry surviving the killing curse) being the mark that sets Harry apart.

Beyond that, I would argue that it's impossible to intentionally mark someone as your equal, as by virtue of you having the power to mark someone as your equal you inherently establish a power dynamic, wherein they are "your equal" only because you said so. I don't care how many times the Globetrotters play the Washington Generals, the Generals are not equals to the Globetrotters. What I'm trying to get at is your definition of the word "mark" causes the whole prophecy to become paradoxical.

But how does the scar indicate that Harry is Voldemorts equal? There are plenty of ways to interpret this, and unless Rowling comes out and states that one is true (which I doubt she'll do) it's up to the reader to decide which one they think is best. Here are my favorite;

1. The mark could just imply "this is the person in the prophecy." Just by virtue of Voldemort believing the prophecy, Harry becomes Voldemorts "final boss", a rival, whatever.
2. Harry becomes a beacon of hope, a countersymbol to the people of the world. I believe there's even a quote in the book that Harry becomes as famous as Voldemort. People literally die to protect Harry because they believe that Harry is the only hope they have to defeat Voldemort. "The Boy Who Lived" vs "The Flight of Death"
3. My favorite interpretation is the following; the mark signifies that Harry defeated death. Voldemort is known to have been obsessed in becoming immortal. The name he chose means flight of death in French for heavens sake. In the moment when Voldemort attempts the Killing Curse on Harry, two things happen: firstly, Harry survives the curse due to his mothers protection and secondly, Voldemort survived either the curse bouncing off or whatever counter spell was triggered that would surely have killed anyone else. In that moment, they are equals in that they escape death.

I think your definition of the verb "mark" is too narrow. If we look at Google's definitions, the one I see that best fits is the following:

To make or leave a mark on.

Where the noun "mark" can refer to

a sign or indication: an impression (such as a scratch, scar or stain) made on something

Note that this definition implies nothing about intent. Thus, if we interpret the prophecy with this definition, it could mean that Voldemort "marked" Harry as his equal, personally I might add, with either the literal scar being the mark, or simply the events that transpired (Harry surviving the killing curse) being the mark that sets Harry apart.

Beyond that, I would argue that it's impossible to intentionally mark someone as your equal, as by virtue of you having the power to mark someone as your equal you inherently establish a power dynamic, wherein they are "your equal" only because you said so. I don't care how many times the Globetrotters play the Washington Generals, the Generals are not equals to the Globetrotters. What I'm trying to get at is your definition of the word "mark" causes the whole prophecy to become paradoxical.

But how does the scar indicate that Harry is Voldemorts equal? There are plenty of ways to interpret this, and unless Rowling comes out and states that one is true (which I doubt she'll do) it's up to the reader to decide which one they think is best. Here are my favorite;

1. The mark could just imply "this is the person in the prophecy." Just by virtue of Voldemort believing the prophecy, Harry becomes Voldemorts "final boss", a rival, whatever.
2. Harry becomes a beacon of hope, a counter-symbol to the people of the world. I believe there's even a quote in the book that Harry becomes as famous as Voldemort. People literally die to protect Harry because they believe that Harry is the only hope they have to defeat Voldemort. "The Boy Who Lived" vs "The Flight of Death"
3. My favorite interpretation is the following; the mark signifies that Harry defeated death. Voldemort is known to have been obsessed in becoming immortal. The name he chose means flight of death in French for heavens sake. In the moment when Voldemort attempts the Killing Curse on Harry, two things happen: firstly, Harry survives the curse due to his mothers protection and secondly, Voldemort survived either the curse bouncing off or whatever counter spell was triggered that would surely have killed anyone else. In that moment, they are equals in that they escape death.