Moon-letters: Difference between revisions

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'''Moon-letters''' were a method of writing invented by the [[Dwarves]]. Moon-letters were ordinary [[Runes]], but written in such a way that they could only be read when the light of the [[moon]] shone behind the writing. Some moon-letters could be read by any moonlight, but it was possible to make the writing even more secret. More sophisticated moon-letters could only be read by the light of the same shape of moon, or at the same time of year, as when they were written.  
'''Moon-letters''' were a system of writing invented by [[Dwarves]]. Moon-letters were ordinary [[Runes]], but written in such a way that they could only be read when the light of the moon shone behind the writing. Some moon-letters could be read by any moonlight, but it was possible to make the writing even more secret. More sophisticated moon-letters could only be read by the same shape of moon, or at the same time of year, as when they were written.  


Moon-letters were written with silver pens. The substance [[Ithildin]], made from [[Mithril]], reflected only starlight and moonlight, and it seems likely that ithildin, or something very similar, was used by the Dwarves to write their moon-letters.
Moon-letters were written with silver pens.<ref name="Rest">{{H|Rest}}</ref>  The substance [[Ithildin]], made from [[Mithril]], reflected only starlight and moonlight,<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref> and it seems likely that ithildin, or something very similar, was used by the Dwarves to write their moon-letters.


An example of these moon-letters would be on the [[Thrór's Map|map]] of the [[Lonely Mountain]] and surrounding areas that [[Gandalf]] gave [[Thorin]] . The moon letters were the more cunning type mentioned above, and they were written on a midsummers eve in a crescent moon. They said:
An example of moon-letters was found by [[Elrond]] on [[Thrór's Map]] of the [[Lonely Mountain]] and surrounding areas that [[Gandalf]] had given [[Thorin]] in {{TA|2941}}.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>  The moon letters were of the more cunning type had been written on a Midsummer's eve under a crescent moon. They said:
:"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of [[Durin's Day]] will shine upon the key-hole"


:"''Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of [[Durin's Day]] will shine upon the key-hole.''"<ref name="Rest"/>
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[[Category:Lettering]]
[[Category:Lettering]]

Revision as of 06:50, 21 July 2012

Moon-letters were a method of writing invented by the Dwarves. Moon-letters were ordinary Runes, but written in such a way that they could only be read when the light of the moon shone behind the writing. Some moon-letters could be read by any moonlight, but it was possible to make the writing even more secret. More sophisticated moon-letters could only be read by the light of the same shape of moon, or at the same time of year, as when they were written.

Moon-letters were written with silver pens.[1] The substance Ithildin, made from Mithril, reflected only starlight and moonlight,[2] and it seems likely that ithildin, or something very similar, was used by the Dwarves to write their moon-letters.

An example of moon-letters was found by Elrond on Thrór's Map of the Lonely Mountain and surrounding areas that Gandalf had given Thorin in T.A. 2941.[3] The moon letters were of the more cunning type had been written on a Midsummer's eve under a crescent moon. They said:

"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole."[1]

References