Rings of Power

In the famous J.R.R. Tolkien's epigraph to The Lord of the Rings, the author beautifully describes the rings and who the bearers are. Elven-kings get three rings, and they are below the sky, then Dwarf-lords get seven in their halls, which are of stone, and Men, who are mortal and who will die, will get nine of them. Also, the Dark Lord gets one, and he is in charge of everyone. Tolkien writes about the band that binds everyone, the One Ring that will reign and find all the others, where the Shadows lie in the Mordor’s Land. Tolkien built a vast and consistent fictional universe in which one master ring has such power to control all the beings and creatures. It is the One Ring he is mentioning. The forging of the powerful and magical rings all happened during the 2nd Age when twenty rings were created for the beings of Tolkien's fiction. From the very beginning, Sauron had evil intentions to seduce those who ruled Middle-earth to start doing evil deeds.

He managed to deceive everyone pretending to be a good-natured entity called "Annatar." As this entity, he taught elves from Eregion how to craft and create outstanding rings. They were led by perspicacious Celebrimbor, who had doubts about Sauron and his disguise from the start. He never believed he had good intentions, but the elf was the only person who could see his true colors, and this is why he was cautious. They made nineteen rings and divided them into several groups. The Elves were the bearers of three rings, while the Dwarves had seven, and men nine. At Mount Doom, Sauron forged one more to himself, and this one will be known as the One Ring or the master ring. All other rings became lesser and inferior to this one, and they linked to the might of the One, starting to depend on it. Whoever wielded the One, he could control the rest of the wielders, and when the master ring got destroyed, the powers of others would fade.

History of the Rings

A descendent from Fëanor and an elf prince Celebrimbor was in charge of Eregion’s Elven-smiths, who created this masterwork known as The Rings of Power. Sauron stands behind the driving force of their creation since he wanted this like nothing else in the world. Because of his appearance, he was able to deceive some elves. They created 19 rings of immense power, and Sauron partly created 16 of them. Celebrimbor himself was the one who crafted the three most magnificent Elven rings. It is what he has been renowned for up to this very day, among other great things he achieved during his lifetime.

The Silmarillion (a collection of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, edited and published posthumously by his son) says that Gandalf said this information about the lesser rings: they were a form of practice for the craftsmen. No one could compare them to the ones the prince Celebrimbor had crafted. Even so, Sauron knew that he could use the Rings to control and rule the Middle-earth’s elves, who were still alive. When he forged the One Ring, the master ring, which was the most powerful compared to all of the lesser ones, it was in secret and in Mount Doom’s fires.

He had to do it that way to bring all the rings together with the bearers under his influence. But something happened that he had not expected. He put the main ring on, and the elves knew what was happening at that exact moment, so they removed the rings designed for them. Enraged and furious like never before, he declared war, and openly came against the elves, demanding that they give him the rings. The Elves hid their bands, but he got hold of the other 16. He gave them to men and dwarves. He knew they would do what he told them, so he gave the Dwarves seven, and Men nine of the rings.

After a certain amount of time, Nazgûl was created out of the 9 men who were the wearers of the nine rings. Nazgûl consisted of ghosts of immense power who were under the dominance of Sauron. The dwarves with the seven rings became extraordinarily wealthy, but they never let Sauron control them. However, because of the rings, they became greedy to a great extent, and that is what ruined them – the lust for treasure. They were all ruined. Gandalf says that the power rings have a universal feature to prolong the lifespan of mortals who wear them.

They can reach many more years than they would be able without the rings. That can be an unplanned consequence of the power of these bands because they were intended for the Elves, and these beings are already immortal. But whoever keeps the ring cannot obtain more life or grow; this person merely continues living until it becomes unendurable. Before Bilbo Baggins died, he stated that he was starting to feel "stretched and thin" when the One was his possession. It was an obvious indication of the powerful ring’s slow and negative influence.

The Three Elven Rings were kept away from Sauron. They were not warring weapons, and they did not create them to control others; When they were being created, they were supposed to maintain the remarkable Elven realms. Celebrimbor wanted them to heal and resist evil, enrich the home of the wielders, and make it even more beautiful. But they were still attached to the One, and a person who had this ring could see the mind of those with the three. According to The Silmarillion, the seven rings made for dwarves are not much different from the Nine given to Men. Sauron planned elves to have the 7 and the 9. He believed this way he would be able to control them. When he gave the nine rings to men, he thought that was a good thing to do because that way, he would easily be able to control them. But things never go according to one's plan, because each group (the Nine and the Seven) is its own distinctive set.

No one knows if the rings affect the wielders the same way. Whoever reads Unfinished Tales can learn that the Nine was created after the Seven. Since Sauron was a part of the creation of both groups, they are probably very similar. When they gave the seven rings to the dwarf-lords, they never subdued them, but it was because of the nature of dwarves (they are resilient). It would probably be the same if they were given the Nine, and if men were given the Seven, they would still become ghosts. But the groups of Three Elven Rings created by Celebrimbor was different because they were intended for specific purposes. Sauron knew nothing about them, and he was not a part of their creation, and he learned about them afterward.

Known Rings of Power

Lesser rings

There are many essential details about the rings in The Silmarillion. This work suggests that elves made a lot more Magic Rings, but this was a form of practice for the craftsmen. It is how they were learning the process and gaining the required skills to create the masterwork. Not much is known about these lesser rings, and no one knows if they were bound to the master ring. If they were bound to it, they would lose power after the destruction of The One.

The Three

The leader of Eregion, Celebrimbor, was who forged the Three Elven Rings. This trio was never seen or touched by Sauron. Celebrimbor gave the rings unique names: Vilya (Ring of Air), Narya (Ring of Fire), and Nenya (Ring of Adamant). Gil-galad was the first person who wore Narya, but later, he gave it to Cirdan, and Gandalf was the last with this creation. Gil-galad owned Vilya at first as well, and when he died, Elrond inherited it. Nenya belonged to one person only, and that was Galadriel. The rings were safe and hidden, but until the end of the Third Age, no one knew anything about them. After the destruction of the One and overthrowing Sauron, it was safe for the rings to appear again. Instead of making their wearers invisible, it was the rings that were invisible. When Frodo was in Lothlórien, he saw Galadriel's ring, and she revealed her possession of it. She did it because the master ring was at him. When he was descending the Anduin river, he wanted to talk to Aragorn. He warned him not to speak of it when he was not in Lórien. The Three Elven Rings were different, and they had unique properties. However, the power of these rings was not immense. Elrond stated that no one was able to withstand Mordor's might, not him, not Lórien and not the Havens. The Three Elven Rings were there.

Narya

One of the Three Elven Rings was named Narya by Celebrimbor, who skillfully created it. He wanted unique names for the rings, and all the beautiful elements of life inspired him. Narya also means the Ring of Fire, but sometimes it is called the Red Ring. In Unfinished Tales, when the War of Sauron and elves started, Celebrimbor wanted Círdan to have Narya, and he was the Havens of Mithlond’s lord.

He kept this band even when Gil-galad died. During the 3rd Age, this lord recognized Gandalf's true nature. Gandalf is a Maiar, coming from Valinor. Círdan gave him Narya to help him in his ventures and labors. This creation had unique properties. Celebrimbor made it to inspire, especially to resist domination, tyranny, and despair. Celebrimbor made this band to offer hope to those around its wielder, and to resist the weariness time brings them.

Círdan wanted Gandalf to take the creation because he knew his labors were heavy. He knew that the band would bring joy and resist the weariness. Gandalf wore it when he came to Grey Havens. Narya was gold and embellished with a red ruby.

Nenya

Coming from the phrase Quenya Nén (which means water), Nenya is the White Ring, the Water Ring, or the Ring of Adamant. Celebrimbor used unique precious metal that he called mithril to make this band, and it has a "white stone" on it. The name adamant suggests he used a diamond to create this beautiful ring (this is an old synonym). The radiance of the ring is like stars, and its wielder is beautiful Galadriel of Lothlórien. Frodo Baggins can see Nenya because he is a bearer himself, but Samwise Gamgee says he sees a star going through her fingers.

In many editions, the writer used the word finger because this sounds more magical. These editions suggest that her finger becomes transparent. In The Treason of Isengard, they pointed out that this is an error (this can be read in the ch. 13, note 34). Being safe from all evil, protection, and preservation are all the powers of this majestic creation. They believe that in Lórien, a secret force is hidden that holds darkness from the land. The ring was not meant to constitute military prowess, because Morian Orcs manage to enter Lórien. It happens after the Fellowship enters the forest. Lórien also suffers attacks from Orcs, coming from Dol Guldur. The ring enables Lothlórien not to fall, but this is not the case if Sauron comes to attack it.

With this ring, Galadriel creates and sustains Lothlórien. However, it makes her longing for the sea greater. She wants to go back to the Undying Lands, and the ring magnifies this desire. When Sauron and his forces are destroyed together with the One Ring, Nenya's power starts to fade away. That is the fate of all the rings. They lose the power they originally had. When Galadriel was on a ship to the West, she had the ring. There were the other two rings for elves here, as well as their bearers. When the Ring lost its power, the beauty and magic of Lórien started fading too. Mallorn trees that had existed for centuries lost their beauty, and the area was soon left. When in FO 121 Arwen came here to die, Lothlórien was already deserted and ruined.

Vilya

The greatest of the three elven rings is Vilya. It is the Dominant Ring, the Blue Ring, the Ring of Sapphire, and the Ring of Air. When Sauron was demolishing Eregion, Vilya, and Narya, were sent to Gil-galad. He was in Lindon, far away. Elrond received the ring later. He wore it during the late years of the 2nd Age, but also all of the 3rd. He was considered the best fit, being the Ñoldor High King when they distributed the rings.

This creation was the most influential of the Three. Vilya was jeweled, and Narya and Nenya were jeweled as well. Celebrimbor set a blue stone in a gold band, and this is why they call it the Blue Ring, or the Ring of Sapphire. Since this was the ring of air, it was preeminent over the other elven rings. In the ending chapter of The Return of the King, they call Vilya the mightiest of these three. However, no one knows its exact power.

In The Silmarillion, the writer says that Celebrimbor created this ring to heal and preserve, just like the other two. That is what he wanted, and each ring had these purposes before anything else. The other rings enhanced the strengths of each bearer, but these three were different. Some even say the Three can control the minor elements. Elrond summoned a water stream when the Nazgûl was invading Rivendell. The bearers of the Three can also see into the future according to some because Elrond has the gift of foresight. But these powers can be someone that is a part of this character's nature. When Sauron is defeated, Vilya's power starts fading away too. At the end of the Third Age, Elrond takes the ring over the sea.

The Seven

Sauron always intended to give the Seven Rings to the Dwarf-lords. There were seven Dwarf clans, and all of them were mentioned in The History of Middle-earth. The dwarves used the 7 for their treasure. When they had stable hoards, it enticed dragons. The Dwarven bearers did not let Sauron control them, even though he believed he could, and that is why he gave them the Seven. They were immune to the detrimental effects of the Seven, and the rings did not make them invisible as all had expected. They were all resistant to Sauron's control, probably because of their hardiness. Also, the most powerful dwarf lords possessed the rings. These lords were gifted with an increased life span because of the rings, so they stopped aging.

But there was a side effect. They became too greedy. All dwarves could think about was their treasure. Ultimately, the 7 destroyed them. Dragon fire consumed four rings, and Sauron got the hold of the rest of them. Thráin II took the most influential band of the Seven, and he was the heir of Durin. In TA 2845, Sauron pretended to be the Necromancer, who captured him to imprison Thráin and torment him. Before the Ring War, Sauron's diplomat came to Dain II (also known as Ironfoot). He did it in the Lonely Mountain because he wanted to offer him to return the three surviving Rings to the Dwarves. The master ring had to be found. Dain refused because he knew Sauron could never be trusted. The dwarves had warned him about Sauron in time.

The Nine

When Tolkien introduces the Nine, he writes that these rings are for mortal men that are doomed to die. Unlike people and other beings from the novels, he made the elves immortal, but humans and other creatures were meant to die no matter what, even if they were the ring-bearers. Unfortunately, the Nine were divided amongst evil-hearted men, who later became the Nazgûl or the Ringwraiths. Sauron controlled these men (later wraiths), and that was his plan all along. He always knew that men would be the easiest to dominate and control.

These men became his evil servants, and later when they were nothing but apparitions, they still obeyed him. In The Lord of the Rings, there are no specific details about them, but it is known their leader is the Witch-king of Angmar. His second-highest authority is Khamûl in Unfinished Tales. He had a nickname - the Black Easterling. In Tolkien's epigraph, he says 9 rings are for Mortal Men who will once die, and it implies to the destiny of people. It was Eru’s creation to share outside of Arda. This fate was not familiar to the elves.

Sauron always knew that men are envious of elves because of their power and immortality. He exploited this and the uncertainty, and it all led to the destruction of Númenor. The Men who were the ring-bearers could acquire immense power and wealth, but they could also become powerful Sorcerers. When they turned into Ringwraiths, however, it all ended. They did not age with the rings, and it seemed like they had eternal lives. But this was not the case because, in time, life became unendurable to them. It was the destiny of men who were the ring-bearers. Whenever they would put the Rings on, they could see delusions and phantoms Sauron wanted and planned them to see. It ended by Sauron ruling them forever, one by one.

That was because of the nature of men, they cannot resist evil, and they were never able to. Once they became wraiths, they only followed Sauron's commands. They remained invisible, but the Elves from the Undying Lands could see them (by the Third Age, only a few elves could see these apparitions). Sauron and the Wizards could also see them. The person who wore the One could see them. Other rings are not known to have these abilities. Their lives and power were linked to Sauron's, so they were merely the extensions of his will.

When Sauron became too weak, the might of the wraiths was also insignificant. They became powerless until Sauron regained his strength. The Witch-king then became so powerful that he could match Gandalf the White when it comes to strength. Sauron waited more than a thousand years to become mighty again, but during this period, he was dormant, and no one knew nothing about him. It took him 2460 years to return to Middle Earth, so the Ringwraiths were weak during this time as well.

He had to wait that long because he put all his strength into The One Ring. However, he still existed and lingered even without his physical form. Even when they destroyed his body, Sauron did not lose all of his powers. He was still able to move the One Ring without his body, which can be seen when Sauron is drowned by Eru after the destruction of Númenor. He was not vanquished permanently, but he was defeated, and he lost most of his abilities. As long as the One Ring existed, he could never be defeated entirely.

No one knows where they kept the Nine. The history of these rings was talked about at Elrond’s Council, where they said Sauron had gathered this creation all to himself. Here they also stated that the Nazgûl kept the rings. There are two meanings of this statement. Either Nazgûl wore the rings while serving Sauron, or they took and kept them in Barad-dûr after their fall and being enslaved. Sauron wanted Nazgûl to guard them as Dwarfs did with their rings. No one knows much about the Nazgûl and the rings, or when they slew the Witch-king. Tolkien writes nothing about it, and neither Gandalf nor Aragorn is concerned about what happens to the rings afterward. It indicates that the Nazgûl probably do not have the bands on their fingers all the time, but they may put them on from time to time.

The One Ring

When Tolkien speaks of the One Ring, he says that it was made for the Dark Lord on his dark throne. When Sauron was forging the master ring, he was doing it in Mount Doom’s heart. This ring meant for the Dark Lord was so powerful, that it could rule the other 19 rings of immense power. Sauron's idea and desire were to control the thoughts of all the other ring holders. He intended to do it by controlling their rings. He desired to give all the rings to the Elves, who were influential. If things had been the way he had planned, he would have established dominance over all Elves, and all that without military action.

It was a clever plan. The Ruling Ring needed to be much stronger than the other ones. Sauron put much of his might into the creation because of his vision. The ring did not just have all the powers other ones had, but it was also unique, and it had more properties that were different from other ones. Sauron was not successful when it comes to making his plan come true, and the existence of the One Ring meant that no one could use the other ones safely. When Sauron wore the master ring, he was more powerful, and he was mighty as a military force. There were no gems and intricate designs when it comes to the One Ring. When one sees it for the first time, it is plain and ordinary.

The band is gold and simple. However, whoever heated it in a small fire could see Sauron's incantation in an elvish script. Isildur said that Sauron's hand was black and firelike (Fellowship of the Ring). Anyone could see the script on the ring when Sauron wore it. Being virtually indestructible, neither the Elves nor Gandalf could harm the ring. It had its own will (this was the ability to carry out Sauron's will), and it expanded or shrank by itself when it needed. Isildur cut off Sauron's finger. He could destroy the ring in the chambers it had been forged.

However, he did not do it; he spared it because the ring corrupted him. The ring betrayed him later, which even led to Isildur's death. 2500 years later, a Hobbit, whose name was Déagol, found it and decided to keep it. When Déagol's cousin Smèagol learned about the ring, he slew him so that he could have it. Smèagol became Gollum eventually. The ring corrupted this Hobbit quickly, but he had a powerful resistance to it. It tainted his mind for half of the century. Smèagol lived below the Misty Mountains. Later he was found by Bilbo Baggins, another Hobbit.

By chance, this Hobbit took the Ring, and he kept it throughout all of his quests. He gave it to cousin Frodo. Frodo went to Rivendell later. During this time, Black Riders were chasing him. He had a chance to do what Isildur never did. He wanted to vanquish the One in Mount Doom’s fires. When Sam believed Frodo was dead, he got the Ring to keep it safe. The minute he learned that Frodo is still alive, he gave him the band. Frodo tried to destroy it, but he failed, after his long, difficult journey. It started corrupting the Hobbit at the lava edge, so he started desiring it for himself only. Then Sméagol came, and he bit off Frodo's finger with the Ring on it. It made him fall into the fire.

Fun Facts

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