Glamdring and Sting

[Barliman Butterbur]

Perhaps Glamdring glows blue when orcs are about, and shines white in the heat of battle, "invested" with Gandalf's power.

Yeah, that!

Barley

 

[Greenwood]

The more I think about it, Greenwood, the more I'm leaning towards the idea that the passage I cited from The Hobbit indicates that Glamdring (at least) actually does glow blue. Blue flame is an odd metaphor for brightness--surely yellow or red flame would have been more appropriate--unless something in particular was being asserted about the colour of the glowing sword.

While I do not see why "yellow or red flame" would be anymore appropriate a brightness metaphor than "blue flame", I do agree with you that the passage you found in The Hobbit tends to support Glamdring glowing blue. I would still be like to see a quote from LOTR that supported that, if such a passage exists. I thing it is interesting that we have several passages that describe Sting as glowing blue, but Glamdring seems to be always be white, if a color is mentioned at all.

 

[Arthur_Vandelay]

While I do not see why "yellow or red flame" would be anymore appropriate a brightness metaphor than "blue flame"

It's just that yellow or red are arguably more conventionally associated with fire or flame--and (though I'm not sure about it) yellow or red flames would possibly be brighter than blue flames. If so, blue flame might have been chosen to signify more than just brightness.

I think it is interesting that we have several passages that describe Sting as glowing blue, but Glamdring seems to be always be white, if a color is mentioned at all.

Maybe Glamdring's whiteness on the Bridge of Khazad-dum is a proleptic nod to what will happen to Gandalf after his battle with the Balrog--i.e. he becomes Gandalf the White.

 

[Gothmog]

Maybe Glamdring's whiteness on the Bridge of Khazad-dum is a proleptic not to what will happen to Gandalf after his battle with the Balrog--i.e. he becomes Gandalf the White.

And perhaps it is simply because Gandalf is facing a Balrog, slightly more powerfull a creature than an orc.

 

[Arthur_Vandelay]

And perhaps it is simply because Gandalf is facing a Balrog, slightly more powerfull a creature than an orc.

I wasn't disputing that, but perhaps it could be both?

 

[Greenwood]

Is there anything, anywhere in Tolkien's writings that says elven swords glow white in the presence of a balrog? Or that they glow different colors in the presence of different evil creatures?

 

[Arthur_Vandelay]

Is there anything, anywhere in Tolkien's writings that says elven swords glow white in the presence of a balrog? Or that they glow different colors in the presence of different evil creatures?

Great questions!

OK, TTFers, this is what we want to know:

Is it stated or indicated anywhere in Tolkien's writings that:

(a) Glamdring glows blue when Orcs are nearby?

(b) it is a property of elven swords generally that they will glow blue when Orcs are nearby?

(c) it is a property of elven swords generally that they will glow/shine white in the presence of a Balrog?

(d) it is a property of elven swords that they will glow/shine different colours in the presence of different creatures?

 

[Helm]

I'd say yea to a) and b) but no to c) and d). also didn't Alcun quote that Glamdring shone white at a time when the Belrog was not near? Narsil, was it made by the Elves 'cause it shone I think.