Narya - Printable version

One of the Rings of Power, Narya was The Ring of Fire or Red Ring made for the Elves. The Three Rings were magical artifacts, the most powerful of the Rings of Power after the One Ring.

Description

Narya was the first of the Three Rings appearing in the final chapter of Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ with the other two. It is said to be decorated with a red gemstone, which according to Tolkien was a ruby. It is not revealed what metal it was made of. Narya had the power to inspire others to resist negativity like despair, tyranny, and domination. It also gave the wearer the power to resist the weariness of time. It was also believed to possess magical powers as well as fire properties because it is seen that Gandalf claimed to wield the Flame of Anor when he fought Durin’s Bane [1].

History

Narya was made in the Second Age by Celebrimbor with the other two rings Vilya and Nenya. It was crafted by Celebrimbor after Sauron took the form of Annatar and went away from Eregion. The Elves had hidden the Ring from Sauron’s influence. However, it was bound to the One Ring. As stated in the ‘Unfinished Tales’, Celebrimbor had given Narya to Gil-Galad, the High King of Noldor along with the Ring Vilya when the War of the Elves and Sauron started. After that, Gil-Galad handed it to his lieutenant Cirdan who preserved it after Gil-Galad’s death.

In 1000 of the Third Age, when Gandalf arrived in Middle Earth, Cirdan, the Lord of Havens of Mithlond, gave Narya as he knew about his duty and nature. He wanted the Ring to help him in his efforts. Nobody except Galadriel, Cirdan, and Elrond had known that Gandalf got it this way. Though there is no reference to the use of Narya by Gandalf, he was seen spreading the message of courage and hope during the siege of Minas Tirith. This could be an influence of the Ring. It is not clear whether Narya helped Gandalf enhance his power over fire.

According to Elrond’s statement, the Three Rings were not made to be used as weapons of war and nor did they stay idle. They were intended for healing. As they were capable of warding off the effects of time, some of the best things they could do were to provide additional stamina and endurance to the wearer. Cirdan also said this when he handed Narya to Gandalf. After showing on Gandalf’s hand at the Grey Havens, Narya was brought back to the Immortal Realm and preserved for a long time [2].

Etymology

Narya is a name in Quenya and translates to ‘Fiery Red’ from the components ‘Narwa’ and ‘ya’.

Adaptations

The Hobbit Trilogy

In Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit – The Battle of the Five Armies’, there is a scene asking Gandalf at Dol Guldur about Narya. The books state that Narya was not visible but had shown itself on Gandalf’s hand as he was interrogated.

In ‘The Lord of the Rings – The Return of the King’, Narya could be seen on his hand towards the end at the Grey Havens.

The Fellowship of the Ring

Gandalf, during the fight with Durin’s Bane, said that he was the servant of the Secret Fire. This scene points towards the revelation of Narya but it is not possible that he could expose his ownership of the Ring to an enemy. He must have simply tried to scare them.