Phial of Galadriel

A crystal Phial containing water from her fountain, the Phial of Galadriel held the light of the Two Trees preserved in a Silmaril. The elf-queen bestowed the gift to Frodo when the Fellowship departed from Lothlorien. It was meant to remain unused in his possession until he reached the edge of Mordor. When he, Gollum, and Gamgee reached Cirith Ungol, they watched an army of the Lord of the Nazgul being led from the Minas Morgul.

Frodo used the mere touch of the Phial to ease the situation when he feared the Witch-king had spotted them. Frodo had also used the Phial of Galadriel when he and Gamgee entered the Mordor and had to defend themselves against the attacks of Shelob’s lair. When Shelob approached, Sam Gamgee reminded him of the gift and they used it to drove the spider away. Sam held the star-glass while Frodo cut through the webbing. Sam used the light to attack Shelob and saved Frodo. The light exhibited an extraordinary brightness when used by the indomitable spirit.

He used it twice to overcome the Two Watchers guarding the Tower of Cirith Ungol. When used for the second time, the star-glass shone brightly in response to his honesty and strength. Sam Gamgee also tried to use the Phial of Galadriel at Mount Doom but the power of the Phial faded because Sauron was much more powerful than Galadriel. The star-glass and the box of the Earth were found with Sam when he and Frodo were rescued after their collapse. It was Gandalf who preserved the Phial of Galadriel when the hobbits were being treated after the defeat at Mount Doom.

This star-glass is known to be calling out to Elbereth for power. When Frodo used it against the spider for the first time, he cried out in Quenya ‘Hail Earendil, brightest of stars!’ This referred to the light of the star Earendil, the brightest of all the stars in the sky, the Silmaril he wore on his brow. The light of this bright star was trapped into the star-glass. Towards the end of the Third Age, the light fled with Frodo to the shores of Eldamar.​