Colours of the 🧙wizards

[Legolam]

Another thread on this forum suddenly made a question pop into my head, and I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on the subject. Does anyone remember having a conversation about the significance of the number 9 in Tolkien's work? This is kinda similar.

Is there any significance in the colours that Tolkien chose for his wizards? Both their original colours and the ones they changed to. Did each Istari's function have anything to do with it (like Radagast talking to the animals etc)?

 

[Legolam]

Does anyone wanna come up with a theory? Come on, it takes me a long time to think up intelligent questions!

 

[Niniel]

Mmm, this is a hard one... I suppose that the head of the order of the Istari was White, because white is the colour of 'good' and he was supposed to be the strongest force against the evil, which is black of course. Grey is maybe a colour that is 'unclear', I mean that the colour of the Grey wizard was chosen because his final power was not yet revealed. Brown is maybe beacuse of Radagast's connection with the earth and the beasts. Blue I don't know.
But did they get their colours before or after they were chosen? I suppose so, but I don't know for sure. Beacuse Saruman was first chosen to be one of the Istari, and only later became head of their order, as leader of the White Council.

 

[HLGStrider]

and how come there were two blue wizards? Were they twins?

I would go with the rank idea, the lighter the color the more powerful the wizard. That would put the Blue wizards somewhere in between Gandalf and Radagast... depending on what shade of blue it was... it could've been after R. even... Would that make Sauron the Black Wizard?

 

[Legolam]

I would agree with the fact that white symbolises good and Saruman reliqunishes this when he has grown too big for his boots. But why the coat of many colours.

Ooooh, I've just realised this may have some relation to the Old testament story of Joseph, seeing as how the Prof liked to tell the old stories in a new way. Any opinion people?

 

[HLGStrider]

A weak link, cause Joseph was basically a good guy and Sauramen wasn't. It did occur when his brothers THOUGHT he was getting too big for his britches, however.

 

[Grond]

Saruman tells us why the "many colours" theme himself. He states,

"White!" he sneered. "It serves as a beginning. White cloth may be dyed. The white page can be overwritten; and the white light can be broken."

 

[Lantarion]

Yes, this would point to the fact that White is a 'pure' and 'good' colour, which can be tainted by weaker hearts than are able to stick to their goodness. Grey is quite obvious, as it is the only rational colour after white. Brown might have something to do with the earth and nature, and natural surroundings; Radagast was the Brown, and he was a nut for animals and nature.
Somebody can dig up the thread about numbers in Tolkien's works (on which I have posted several excellent posts, ahem ahem ), if they want to check it out. Just for the record, I think the coolest numbers are 3, 7, 9 and 11. Go primes! But seriously, if you think about it those numbers do sound kind of 'magical' or fantastic..

 

[Legolam]

I also think I came up with some interesting number theories! And 9 isn't a prime number, Ponti!

But why is grey the rational colour after white? It's just like dirty white, and I'm sure Gandalf wouldn't want to have been thought of as just dirty...

 

[Grond]

Originally posted by Legolam
I also think I came up with some interesting number theories! And 9 isn't a prime number, Ponti!

But why is grey the rational colour after white? It's just like dirty white, and I'm sure Gandalf wouldn't want to have been thought of as just dirty...

The clear conotation to me is that Gray would symbolize maturity and wisdom. Olorin was the "wisest" of all the Istari as is pointed out in UT, "The Istari". A natural colour for him would have been gray.

 

[Legolam]

grey matter = brain cells

Just a thought ..

 

[HLGStrider]

Though not prime, Nine is the most beautiful number!!! It is my lucky number and I always choose things to go along with it when writing fantasy. I like that the fellowship was of nine... of course, so were the riders...