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The '''Secret Fire''' and '''Flame Imperishable''' as well as possibly the '''Flame of Anor''' are references to a mysterious power.
The '''Secret Fire''' is a mysterious power. It is perhaps the same as the [[Flame Imperishable]] and/or the [[Flame of Anor]].


The Secret Fire, also called the Flame Imperishable, seems to refer to that aspect of Eru [[Ilúvatar]] which is his Power of Creation. It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning, so [[Melkor]] sought for it in vain, and later Ilúvatar set it (or an aspect of it) at the centre of [[Arda]].
The Secret Fire, seems to refer to that aspect of Eru [[Ilúvatar]] which is his Power of Creation. It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning, and later Ilúvatar set it (or an aspect of it) at the centre of [[Arda]].
 
:''Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä.'' — [[Valaquenta]], [[the Silmarillion]].


{{quote|Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä.|[[Valaquenta]], [[the Silmarillion]]}}


The Secret Fire is also described as being part of all [[Fëa and hröa|feä]]: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought.
The Secret Fire is also described as being part of all [[Fëa and hröa|feä]]: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought.
Loosely, it could be taken as an alternate name of the Holy Spirit.


[[Gandalf]] the Grey referred to both the Secret Fire and the Flame of Anor at the Bridge of [[Khazad-dûm]]:  
[[Gandalf]] the Grey referred to both the Secret Fire and the Flame of Anor at the Bridge of [[Khazad-dûm]]:  


:''"You cannot pass," he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass."'' — [[The Fellowship of the Ring]] II 5: The Bridge of Khazad-dûm.
{{quote|You cannot pass, I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass.|[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]}}
 
''Anor'' is a name for the [[Sun]] in the mythology, as well as a name for the ''True West'' (i.e. [[Valinor]]). Further, some have speculated that Gandalf said "Flame of Anor" in reference to the fact that he wielded one of the Three Rings of Power, [[Narya]].  Thus it is uncertain if the [[Flame of Anor]] is identical to the ''Secret Fire'', but both it and ''The Secret Fire'' identified Gandalf as a servant of the [[Valar]].


==Inspiration==
Loosely, it could be taken as an alternate name of the Holy Spirit.
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Fëa and hröa]]
* [[Fëa and hröa]]

Revision as of 07:45, 13 January 2009

The Secret Fire is a mysterious power. It is perhaps the same as the Flame Imperishable and/or the Flame of Anor.

The Secret Fire, seems to refer to that aspect of Eru Ilúvatar which is his Power of Creation. It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning, and later Ilúvatar set it (or an aspect of it) at the centre of Arda.

"Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä."
― Valaquenta, the Silmarillion

The Secret Fire is also described as being part of all feä: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought.

Gandalf the Grey referred to both the Secret Fire and the Flame of Anor at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm:

"You cannot pass, I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass."
― The Fellowship of the Ring, The Bridge of Khazad-dûm

Inspiration

Loosely, it could be taken as an alternate name of the Holy Spirit.

See also

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