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Delving into the mythological roots and enduring legends that inspired Middle-earth, uncovering the rich cultural tapestry woven into the heart of this epic saga.
‘The Lord of The Rings’ has been the childhood of multiple generations. From the original books released in the 1950s to the Peter Jackson Trilogy in the early 2000s, and more recently J. D. Payne’s ‘Rings of Power’ in Prime Video. Tolkien’s Epic Narrative has spellbound audiences with unique memorable characters and rich lore. By weaving together elements from an array of mythologies, Tolkien forged a unique enthralling world. Through these influences of history’s fabled myths and legends, he built a foundation for Middle-earth.
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Whispers of Ancient Sagas
Few storytellers have shaped the world like J.R.R. Tolkien, as evidenced by the epic quests undertaken by the Fellowship of the Ring. Some of these, upon a deeper gaze, exhibit their inspiration from Nordic sagas and Ancient British epics.
One of the most known is the Quest of the One Ring, where Tolkien drew inspiration from the Völsunga saga more specifically the ring Andvaranaut, a magical ring created by the dwarf Andvari that could attract gold but with the cursed by Loki to bring destruction to whoever possessed it. Sigurd’s journey influenced other aspects of the quest, such as the addition of Smaug who is influenced by the dragon Fafnir.
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British Mythology was also an influence for Tolkien, this can be seen in Aragorn’s Journey to become king of Gondor and Arnor which draws from the world of Arthurian Legend more specifically as depicted in ‘Le Morte d’Arthur’ by Thomas Malory. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and King Arthur have their fair share of similarities. Excalibur inspired Aragorn’s Andúril after all, both are magical swords from prophecy that were reforged into their current state Andúril from Elendil’s Narsil and Excalibur from Arthur’s broken sword Caliburn. His close friendship with Gandalf (Ian McKellen) is much reminiscent of the one King Arthur has with Merlin.
These Legends shine throughout Middle-earth, from the Quest of Erebor in The Hobbit taking influence from Beowulf to using The Battle of Maldon to inspire The Siege of Gondor. These are just a few examples of tales Tolkien used as a building ground to create some of the ethereal narratives shown throughout the series.
Celtic Echoes in the Heart of Middle-earth
Middle-earth is one of the most intricate and elaborate fantasy worlds ever created. Seven races and peoples, 15 different languages, and over 50 different creatures roam this Mystical world. From a young age, Tolkien found a keen interest in Celtic Folklore that lasted well into adulthood. Such can be seen in the inhabitants of Middle-earth.
The Elven race is one of the most notable ones, more specifically the Sindar and Noldor which are based on the Tuatha de Danann, the main race of deities from Irish Mythology. Other creatures that have their origins amongst the Celtic Mythos are the Barrow-Wight; these are similar to those in Norse mythology with some aspects modeled after Trows, a malignant spirit from Scottish Mythology, more specifically of the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
Even Sauron draws from Balor of the Evil Eye, the leader of the Fomorians and grandfather of the god Lugh in Irish Mythology. Balor’s evil eye in the center of his forehead was powerful enough to defeat an entire army and much like Sauron, they were both malevolent spirits in monstrous form. Mordor’s design is influenced by Balor’s stronghold on Tory Island where Balor ruled from a tower of glass.
Tolkien saw these Celtic figures and carefully reshaped them allowing him to create the array of unique creatures found in Lord of The Rings. His imaginative transformation not only honors the essence of these mythological beings but also imbues them with profound significance, allowing the audience to reflect on their own journeys and struggles. Through his lens, Tolkien invites audiences to engage with the moral complexities of his world, enriching their understanding of the human experience.
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Symbols of Divine Grace and Heroic Virtue
Tolkien was a devout Roman Catholic, practicing the religion from boyhood. So it makes sense that he managed to sneak in some symbolism of the Christian Theology. Christian themes of the battle of good against evil and providence play a pivotal role in the battle for Middle-earth, being major themes throughout the series.
This tapestry of Christian symbolism is further enriched by the embodiment of the Christian cardinal virtues in character interactions. Many characters are shown to be willing to risk their lives to defend their loved ones as seen when Boromir (Sean Bean) defended Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) against orcs, which personifies the virtue of fortitude. The main purpose of The Fellowship and their dedication to fighting against the evil of Sauron exemplifies the justice virtue. Prudence is shown in both Gandalf and Aragorn, more precisely Aragorn’s knowledge of Middle-earth history along with the ability to lead with strategic decision-making and Gandalf’s wise counsel and foresight.
Temperance is a major theme Tolkien experimented with, from the effects the One Ring has on both Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Samwise (Sean Astin), Frodo seems to fall into the temptations of the ring multiple times throughout his journey to destroy it. Samwise on the other hand exhibits self-control and restraint putting the greater good ahead of his own desires, allowing him to focus on his loyalty to Frodo and his protection.
One of the more significant elements in the series is the constant battle of light against darkness, with light representing truth and goodness. While darkness symbolizes terror and deception. Similar to Christian Theology, light is portrayed as a more powerful and protective force, this is shown well when Garadiel (Cate Blanchett) tells Frodo “May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out” in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’.
Gandalf’s journey is one of the most recognized examples of Tolkien’s inspiration from the Christian Mythos. Particularly his resurrection, after his two-day-and-night battle against the Balrog. Later to return as Gandalf The White, with white being the purest color in Christianity, a theme that fits back to the importance of light and darkness. This reflects the resurrection of Jesus Christ, both had to sacrifice themselves for those they cared about and were resurrected more powerful than they were before.
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Tolkien’s true genius lies in his ability to weave inspiration into the fabric of The Lord of the Rings, setting the series as a milestone for modern society. The books are credited with creating and shaping the fantasy genre, and the Peter Jackson Trilogy is regarded as one of the best film series ever made, displaying the enduring power of his storytelling. The ongoing emergence of fresh adaptations encourages viewers to rediscover the ageless principles of friendship and bravery that speak to people of all ages.
By Mario Martinez Ignacio
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Mario Martinez Ignacio is a writer from Mexico City. As a child, he spent most of his free time deep-diving into online wikis, which sparked a passion for lore and worldbuilding. Driven by his love for writing, Mario obtained a BFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024. With the objective of inspiring others, he fuses writing and education to create narratives that entertain while igniting curiosity and fostering new perspectives, one word at a time.
Mario Martinez Ignacio is a writer from Mexico City. As a child, he spent most of his free time deep-diving into online wikis, which sparked a passion for lore and worldbuilding. Driven by his love for writing, Mario obtained a BFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024. With the objective of inspiring others, he fuses writing and education to create narratives that entertain while igniting curiosity and fostering new perspectives, one word at a time.
