What did 👁️Sauron originally look like?

[herlig9]

I only get the idea that Sauron is a deciever in Silmarillion. And the design in Peter Jackson version of LOTR is obviously based on how people illustrated the lord of evil himself "Melkor"

 

[Ent]

Briefly reviewing a bunch of references to Sauron from SIL, the only 'description' I find is "he was still fair in those days.'
I'll review Letters to see if Tolkien mentioned anything.

 

[Firiel23]

If you mean "original" to be at the forming of Arda, he was a Maia named Mairon, and could "dress" himself in any form he wanted. He abused his power and as Annatar, gained the trust of the Elves of Eregion, and later of the Kings of the Numinorians. When Numinor was destroyed, Sauron lost his body, and his ability to assume a fair form. When the One Ring was cut off his hand he again lost his visible form, and as most of his power was in the Ring, it took a long time for him to regain his strength. Eventually he took the form of the Necromancer, and when he was driven from Dol Goldur he went to Mordor. I'm not sure his physical shape is ever described, except as a Dark Shaddow. The famous Eye was his symbol. When the One Ring was destroyed, he lost his ability to take on physical form, and became, as Gandalf put it, "a mere spirit of malice that gnaws itself in the shadows, but cannot again grow or take shape"

 

[ZehnWaters]

If you mean "original" to be at the forming of Arda, he was a Maia named Mairon, and could "dress" himself in any form he wanted. He abused his power and as Annatar, gained the trust of the Elves of Eregion, and later of the Kings of the Numinorians. When Numinor was destroyed, Sauron lost his body, and his ability to assume a fair form. When the One Ring was cut off his hand he again lost his visible form, and as most of his power was in the Ring, it took a long time for him to regain his strength. Eventually he took the form of the Necromancer, and when he was driven from Dol Goldur he went to Mordor. I'm not sure his physical shape is ever described, except as a Dark Shaddow. The famous Eye was his symbol. When the One Ring was destroyed, he lost his ability to take on physical form, and became, as Gandalf put it, "a mere spirit of malice that gnaws itself in the shadows, but cannot again grow or take shape"

Firiel23 pretty much has the gist of it. This is all we know. In the beginning he could assume any form so he looked like however he wished. We know he took the form of a werewolf and vampire during his encounter with Lúthien and Beren, for instance.

 

[Firiel23]

Firiel23 pretty much has the gist of it. This is all we know. In the beginning he could assume any form so he looked like however he wished. We know he took the form of a werewolf and vampire during his encounter with Lúthien and Beren, for instance.

Gollum is the only one who describes him, of everyone (in the books) who had a chance to see him. And all Gollum says is that he is dark and tall and missing a finger. thanks Gollum!

 

[Tar-Elenion]

"The form that he took was that of a man of more than human stature, but not gigantic. In his earlier incarnation he was able to veil his power (as Gandalf did) and could appear as a commanding figure of great strength of body and supremely royal demeanour and countenance."
Letter 246

 

[Deimos]

Gollum is the only one who describes him, of everyone (in the books) who had a chance to see him. And all Gollum says is that he is dark and tall and missing a finger. thanks Gollum!