Is Balrog the same as Gandalf?

When Gandalf confronted Moria's Balrog, the two opponents couldn't been less alike in physical terms. In truth, however, the Balrog and Gandalf were once both of the same ilk. Like Gandalf, the Balrogs began as primordial spirits known as Maia, who had existed since before time began and took no physical form.

What is a Balrog and how is it related to Gandalf?

In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf the wizard fights a demon known as a Balrog. Tolkien's Balrogs have their own mythology. In Tolkien's Elvish language Sindarin, Balrog means “demon of might”. After Sauron, Balrogs were the most powerful and most terrifying of his servants.

Is the Balrog in The Hobbit?

Lord Of The Rings: 10 Facts About The Balrog From The Books The Movies Leave Out. These interesting facts about Balrogs taken from J.R.R. Tolkien's books were excluded from Peter Jackson's The Lord of The Rings and Hobbit movies.

Did Gandalf know there was a Balrog in Moria?

I just read through this part in the book and it seems like Gandalf didn't know about the Balrog pretty much until he saw it step out in Moria.

Do Balrogs serve Sauron?

The Balrogs were originally the servants of Morgoth in the First Age, of whom, Sauron was also his servant. The Balrogs and Sauron were all Maiar and somewhat coeval; it is debatable whether a Balrog would recognize Sauron as successor and serve him willingly.

Gandalf vs. the Balrog explained - LOTR Lore

Why was Gandalf afraid of the Balrog?

Gandalf was simply afraid the Balrog would kill the Fellowship and capture the Ring. He wasn't concerned about his own personal safety, just that the quest would fail.

Did Legolas know what a Balrog was?

It seems likely to me that Legolas has not encountered a Balrog before in his life, yet when the fellowship first sees the Balrog in Moria he is able to immediately identify it.

Who killed Balrogs?

Instead, he sent the Balrogs to fight and lead in battle. Two of them were killed in the Fall of Gondolin: Gothmog by Ecthelion, and another by Glorfindel.

Why did Gandalf turn white?

Gandalf was carried to Caras Galadhon in Lothlórien, where he was healed, given a new staff, and clothed in white, and thus became Gandalf the White.

Why is Gandalf referred to as mithrandir?

Although Gandalf is his most commonly-used moniker, he went by several other names as well. In his origins as a Maiar spirit in Valinor, he was known as Olorin. In Gondor, he was known as Mithrandir, meaning Grey Pilgrim. The White Rider was his name to those who saw him on his great white horse, Shadowfax.

Does Gandalf know he is a Maiar?

He's aware of the Blessed Land and those residing there. But he has never seen a Maia before, not unlike Galadriel, Elrond or even Glorfindel. He couldn't have known Gandalf was a Maia; all he knew is that he came from Valinor as a messenger.

Was the Balrog stronger than Gandalf?

The Balrog of Moria is a lot more powerful than Gandalf the Grey, who needs to use a ring of power to defeat the monster. He is also weaker than Saruman, another Maia.

Is Balrog a dragon?

A Balrog (/ˈbælrɒɡ/) is a powerful fictional demonic monster in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. One first appeared in print in his high fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings, where the Fellowship of the Ring encounter a Balrog known as Durin's Bane in the Mines of Moria.

Why is Gandalf so scared of Moria?

Gandalf was scared of this beast because he knew how powerful it was since it was a Maia like himself, but it was purely evil.

Why does Gandalf let himself fall?

Gandalf intentionally let go of himself, so that he could die and pass the moral test and enhance his powers to become Gandalf the White. Gandalf is not only a fan-favorite character in The Lord of the Rings franchise, but he is also adored by all the literature and cinema enthusiasts.

How many Balrogs are left?

5 Answers. Show activity on this post. Christopher Tolkien indicates that his father eventually decided there were no more than seven Balrogs.

Why did the Balrog wake up?

Third Age. In TA 1980, a Balrog awoke in Khazad-dûm when the Dwarves had mined too deep for mithril. It drove the Dwarves out of their home and slew King Durin VI, and the Balrog was thereafter called "Durin's Bane".

Can a Balrog fly?

From this passage I believe we can conclude that Balrogs had the ability to fly. Tolkien describes the darkness around the Balrog as being like 'wings' ("His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings").

What is the Flame of Anor?

Anor is the Sindarin name for the Sun, and so literally the "flame of Anor" would be the light of the Sun, which originated in the fiery fruit of Laurelin, one of the Two Trees of Valinor. Alternatively, the "flame of Anor" may refer to Gandalf's possession of Narya the Great, whose stone was red as fire.

What were the undying lands?

The Undying Lands were a realm inhabited by Ainur and Eldar. The area included the continent of Aman and the island of Tol Eressëa. The ocean Belegaer separated the Undying Lands from the western shores of Middle-earth. Only immortals and ring-bearers were allowed to live in this realm.

Who killed fingon?

Fingon, with a host of Men from Dor-lómin led by Húrin, was surrounded. Eventually, being pushed back, Fingon fought Gothmog, lord of Balrogs in battle, but was killed by Gothmog's black axe after another Balrog bound him with a whip.

Who would win Balrog vs Smaug?

So, one glimpse into Smaug's eyes and the Balrog falls under the spell. Even if it's just for a second—a moment of hesitation or distraction, it'd be enough. Smaug would snatch up Durin's Bane and gobble him up with his sword-sharp teeth (and we know swords can kill Balrogs).

How did Gimli not know about Moria?

There are a few reasons why Gimli would have been unaware of Balin's fate: a messenger could have been killed by orcs on the way to spread the news, or they could have been trapped within the mines for some time before they were killed.

Do Balrogs have wings?

On the other hand, the explicit reference to "wings of shadow" leaves open the interpretation that Balrogs had no physical wings. Balrogs were never exactly described as flying in any of Tolkien's works, including the "winged speed" language quoted above.