Flame of Anor: Difference between revisions

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The '''Flame of Anor''' was a mysterious power claimed by [[Gandalf]] in the face of [[Durin's Bane]]. It is nowhere else referred to, and so its particular meaning remains unclear. [[Sun|Anor]] is the Sun, and so literally the 'flame of Anor' would be the light of the Sun, which originated in the fiery fruit of [[Laurelin]], one of the [[Two Trees]] of [[Valinor]]. [[Gandalf]] seems to be referring, then, to the power he gains as a servant of the [[Valar|Lords of the West]], in defiance to the corrupted darkness of the [[Balrogs|Balrog]].
[[File:NOLANOS - El Fuego de Anor.jpg|thumb|''El Fuego de Anor'' by NOLANOS]]


Alternatively, it has been suggested that [[Gandalf]] is referring here to [[Narya]], the [[Ring of Fire]] that he bore. This idea certainly fits with the notion that he was the 'wielder' of the Ring, and that it had a fiery character. However, it seems highly unlikely that [[Gandalf]] would want to reveal his ownership of a [[Rings of Power|Ring of Power]] - a matter of utmost secrecy - to one of his greatest enemies.
{{quote|I am a servant of the [[Secret Fire]], wielder of the flame of Anor.|[[Gandalf]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]"}}
 
The '''flame of Anor''' is a mysterious element or power that [[Gandalf]] claimed to wield during his battle with [[Durin's Bane]].<ref>{{FR|II5}}, p. 330</ref> The specific nature of this flame is obscure, as it is not referenced directly elsewhere, but there is contextual evidence to support some inferences.
 
''[[Anor]]'' is the [[Sindarin]] name for the Sun, and so literally the "flame of Anor" would be the light of the Sun,<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 30, 38</ref> which originated in the fiery fruit of [[Laurelin]], one of the [[Two Trees of Valinor|Two Trees]] of [[Valinor]].<ref>{{S|Sun}}</ref> Alternatively, the "flame of Anor" may refer to Gandalf's possession of [[Narya]] the Great, whose stone was red as fire.<ref>{{RK|VI9}}, p. 1030</ref>
 
The expression might metaphorically refer to some power wielded by the [[Wizards|Wizard]], as a [[Maiar|Maia]] and servant of the [[Flame Imperishable]]; with the pure light of the Sun standing as the antithesis to the "dark fire" of the [[úmaiar|fallen]] [[Balrogs|Balrog]].
 
==See also==
*[[Secret Fire]]
*[[Light of Valinor]]
 
==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/is-the-secret-fire-the-same-as-the-flame-of-anor/ Is the Secret Fire the Same as the Flame of Anor?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
 
{{references}}


[[Category:Concepts]]
[[Category:Concepts]]
[[de:Flamme von Anor]]
[[de:Flamme von Anor]]
[[fi:Anorin liekki]]
[[fi:Anorin liekki]]

Latest revision as of 22:09, 24 March 2023

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
El Fuego de Anor by NOLANOS
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor."
― Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"

The flame of Anor is a mysterious element or power that Gandalf claimed to wield during his battle with Durin's Bane.[1] The specific nature of this flame is obscure, as it is not referenced directly elsewhere, but there is contextual evidence to support some inferences.

Anor is the Sindarin name for the Sun, and so literally the "flame of Anor" would be the light of the Sun,[2] which originated in the fiery fruit of Laurelin, one of the Two Trees of Valinor.[3] Alternatively, the "flame of Anor" may refer to Gandalf's possession of Narya the Great, whose stone was red as fire.[4]

The expression might metaphorically refer to some power wielded by the Wizard, as a Maia and servant of the Flame Imperishable; with the pure light of the Sun standing as the antithesis to the "dark fire" of the fallen Balrog.

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm", p. 330
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), pp. 30, 38
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens", p. 1030
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