In origin a Maia of Manwë and Varda, Gandalf came to the northwest of Middle-earth after a thousand years of the Third Age had passed, with four others of his order. At the Grey Havens, Círdan entrusted him with the Red Ring, Narya, to aid him in contesting the will of Sauron.

What is the origin story of Gandalf?

The wisest of the Maiar, Gandalf was created by Ilúvatar before the Music of the Ainur. At the beginning of Time, he was amongst the Ainur who entered into Eä. In his "youth" he was known as Olórin and lived in Lórien. Yet his ways often took him to Nienna, from whom he learned pity and patience.

What is Gandalf's true form?

Though he appeared to the characters of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring to be an aged wizard, Gandalf was actually an angel-like being known as a Maia. He was created by the god of Tolkien's works, Eru Ilúvatar, to help with the creation of the universe.

How did Gandalf become Gandalf?

Summary. Gandalf the Grey became Gandalf the White due to a divine transformation after his battle with the Balrog, becoming a more powerful and wise being. Gandalf the White had greater powers and authority as the sole emissary of the Valar, though he also became more cautious and less humorous.

Why is Gandalf in human form?

In the same letter Tolkien states he was given the form of an old man in order to limit his powers on Earth. Both in 1965 and 1971 Tolkien again refers to Gandalf as an angelic being.

The Full Story of GANDALF! | Middle Earth Lore

Is Gandalf a man or an elf?

What exactly is Gandalf? Gandalf is not a human - though he appears as an old man - but is an immortal Maiar, or creation spirit, who has been incarnated as one of the five known Istari, or wizards.

Why is Gandalf called Mithrandir?

This was Gandalf's Sindarin name, used by the Elves and later the citizens of Gondor. Inspired by his continuous travels and gray cloak, Mithrandir meant the Grey Pilgrim, rooting in the words “mith” (gray), “ran” (wander), and “rhandir” (pilgrim).

Why can't Gandalf remember his name?

Getting back to the puzzle, however, the solution is simply that the name "Gandalf" was tied to a prior life. After he was sent back, Gandalf would have recognized his friends, because they were all part of the job he was sent back to do.

Why does Gandalf say he is Saruman?

Summary. Gandalf's claim to be Saruman when he returned in The Two Towers was because his resurrection as Gandalf the White meant he had taken on the role and form of the White Wizard. The wizards in Middle-earth were avatars or incarnations of the powerful Maiar beings, with Saruman as the leader.

Why does Gandalf not remember anything?

By the grace of Tolkien's God, Eru, Gandalf is permitted to return in a completely different form, so while the character is still Gandalf, only his spirit remains from before.

Who is Gandalf's girlfriend?

Gandalf and Galadriel Have a Long History Together in Middle-earth. Gandalf and Galadriel's relationship extends much further back than the events of The Hobbit. While their stories eventually become entangled, they begin in very different places.

Is Legolas older than Gandalf?

Gandalf's age is impossible to determine, but he's likely existed for at least 10,000 years, making him much older than Legolas.

Why does Gandalf love hobbits?

If this wizard is Gandalf, the fact that he was saved by and fought alongside a harfoot when he first arrived in Middle-earth could explain why Gandalf is so fond of hobbits, descendants of the harfoots, and often travels to the Shire to visit them.

Why is Galadriel so powerful?

The majority of her powers come from her Ring of Power, Nenya, the Ring of Water. The ring, also known by the names the White Ring and the Ring of Adamant, is one of the three Rings of Power given to the Elves of Middle-earth in the Second Age.

Why does Gandalf have an elven ring?

The ring was gifted to an Elven High-King and passed down through generations. Upon meeting Gandalf, an Elven descendant gifted him the ring to aid in his protection of Middle-earth.

What does Galadriel call Gandalf?

In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf is known by a lot of different names, including: Mithrandir, Olorin and Tharkûn. Here's what they all mean. This article is part of a directory: Gandalf's Lord of the Rings History, Powers, Relationships and Theories.

Why is Saruman afraid of Aragorn?

Bloodlines are very important in Tolkien's stories, and it makes a lot of sense that Sauron would fear the great-grandson of the man who cut off his hand. Aragorn carried the blood of Numenor with him. His genetic connection to the heroes of the Second Age established him as a dangerous opponent of Sauron.

Why is Saruman afraid of Sauron?

Sauron, in origin a Maia of Aulë like Saruman, awed and frightened him. During the height of his arrogance, Saruman thought he could contend with Sauron, but in the end he found himself meddling with a spirit of far greater power and knowledge than himself.

Why did Gandalf have a ring and not Saruman?

We know that Saruman became jealous of Gandalf long before his imprisonment atop Orthanc. So, according to Unfinished Tales, Saruman knew beforehand already. A second possibility is that Saruman just wasn't interested in the ring since he saw it as being of no value to him and his designs.

Why does Boromir cry in front of Galadriel?

When The Fellowship is taken to Galadriel, she and Boromir have a telepathic conversation which immediately causes Boromir to burst into tears. She senses his desires for the Ring but tells him not to give in because even now, there is hope.

Who is the opposite of Gandalf?

Sauron used his cunning to influence the people of Númenor against the Valar, whereas Gandalf influences the people of Gondor etc to fight Sauron (in essence the opposite).

Does Gandalf remember who he is?

He knew his original name, and what he was, but not much more. When he was returned as Gandalf the White, he seemed to be able to recall much more, and seemed to have more power. When Gandalf and Saruman were in Middle Earth, did they remember living in Valinor before? To an extent, yes.

Is Lady Galadriel in love with Gandalf?

Relationships similar to Gandalf and Galadriel

Also their relationship is perceived romantic by other people, but their relationship is platonic.

Why does Galadriel call Aragorn Elessar?

A legend says that the Wizard Gandalf had brought such a stone, called the Elessar, from Valinor. He gave the Elessar to the Elven Lady Galadriel and remarked prophetically that she would pass it to another, who will also be called Elessar. From this would come Aragorn's royal name Elessar (Quenya for "Elfstone").

Why does Galadriel turn dark?

Thus, Galadriel's dark form in Jackson's The Lord of the Rings personified what would have occurred had the Lady of Lothlorien given in to temptation and taken the One Ring for herself. She would have succumbed to evil because the Ring was indomitable, even with her power.