So far, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has revealed two people with enigmatic identities, both of whom are confirmed to be among the Istar. The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) arrived first, and his identity remains shrouded in numerous speculations due to his lack of knowledge regarding his own name.
As he gains self-awareness, the Stranger’s formidable abilities become apparent, although he is neither Elf nor Man. In Season 1, the three mystics pursuing him refer to him as one of the Istar, providing partial confirmation of the Stranger’s identity, if not a complete elucidation.
Prior to the confirmation of the Stranger’s identity, Season 2 presents an additional Istar in the form of the Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds). This guy appears to be an adversary of the Stranger, as he governs Rhûn and the same mystics that attempted to assassinate the other Istar in Season 1.
However, Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) discloses that the Dark Wizard was once like to the Stranger, establishing a connection between the two.
The only information we possess regarding these characters is that they are Istari. Although the term may be unfamiliar, enthusiasts are already acquainted with some Istari, notably the Stranger and the Dark Wizard. The designation Istar restricts the potential identities of the characters, as the group has only five members.
The Istari are a specific order of wizards in Middle-earth, exemplified by Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast, all of whom were depicted in Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth films. As is customary, J. R. R. Tolkien crafted a detailed biography for the people that Rings of Power may reference, particularly with the narrative of the Stranger and the Dark Wizard.
What are the Istari in ‘Rings of Power’?
The Istari are not affiliated with any specific race in Middle-earth; rather, they serve as guides for all beings. These individuals serve a significant function in the universe as they are the incarnate spirits of the Maiar, referred to as the Five Guardians.
The Maiar are primordial spirits designated to help the Valar; however, Tolkien elucidated in his Unfinished Tales that when Sauron posed a threat, the Valar selected five Maiar to aid the Free Peoples of Middle-earth.
The Council of the Valar first selected three: Curumo (Saruman) and Alatar, who volunteered, and Olórin (Gandalf), whom the King of the Valar ordered to go despite the Maia’s personal reservations. Aiwendil (Radagast) and Pallando were dispatched to join Saruman and Alatar, resulting in a total of five individuals.
Despite being selected concurrently, they came in Middle-earth at various intervals, spanning from the Second to the Third Ages.
Their true nature was not widely recognized in Middle-earth; most believed they were Elves who acquired magic due to their exceptionally prolonged lifespans, however many Elves knew they were far more than they appeared.
Notwithstanding the enigma surrounding them, the Istari were predominantly esteemed. In Middle-earth, the Istari were designated by new, more recognizable names compared to their previous identities as Maiar, while the names of Alatar and Pallando in Middle-earth remain unspecified.
The five were identified by the hue of their garments: Saruman the White, Gandalf the Gray, Radagast the Brown, and Alatar and Pallando the Blue Wizards. Nonetheless, Tolkien never suggested that this was ranked among them.
What is the Extent of the Istari’s Power?
The Istari were tasked with reassuring the inhabitants of Middle-earth of the Valar’s presence and directing the struggle against Sauron. They seem to be elderly guys, yet they possess wisdom and strength.
Although they are powerful as Maiar, their bodily shape alters that potency. The Istari possess a corporeal form and the inherent vulnerabilities associated with it, rendering them prone to corruption. Nevertheless, they remain essentially eternal, exhibiting no signs of aging despite their outward appearance.
In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf demonstrates that even grave injuries do not signify their demise, as he returns as Gandalf the White following his confrontation with a balrog to fulfill his mission.
They frequently utilize a staff to harness their talents, although the staffs are not necessarily essential. Their spells can provide protection, create illusions, summon lightning or wind, facilitate healing, and perform various other functions.
The powers of the Istari are not explicitly delineated; however, the Valar imposed restrictions, prohibiting the employment of their magic unless in instances of significant necessity. The Istar are prohibited from exerting control over the inhabitants of Middle-earth and are also forbidden from engaging Sauron directly in combat.
Due to these constraints, the Istari frequently depend on their intelligence rather than their abilities.
What is Known About the Five Istari?
Among the Istari, one is universally recognized by those with a basic understanding of the narrative: Gandalf. Referred to as Olórin among the Maiar, he was regarded as the most sagacious, which presumably accounts for his selection as an Istar.
Upon arriving in Middle-earth during the Third Age, Gandalf remained in the West and significantly contributed to the struggle against Sauron. Gandalf not only comprehends the nature of the One Ring while it is held by the Baggins, but he also allies with the Fellowship to facilitate its destruction and vanquish Sauron.
Among the wizards, Gandalf exerts the greatest effort to achieve the Istari’s objective of thwarting Sauron. Nevertheless, he is regarded as less proficient in magic compared to other Istari, particularly Saruman.
Saruman is regarded as the commander of the Istari; nevertheless, by the War of the Ring, he has deviated from his designated mission to ally with Sauron. Prior to then, he established the White Council to counter Sauron and settled in Isengard, forming alliances with Rohan and Gondor. He is the sole Istari to have journeyed toward the East and returned.
He arrived in Middle-earth during the Third Age, as per Tolkien, albeit prior to Gandalf or Radagast. However, a significant facet of his character is that Saruman did not consistently harmonize with the other Istari, harboring jealousy towards Gandalf prior to their arrival in Middle-earth and regarding Radagast as a simpleton.
Although far less is understood about Radagast compared to the other two, Tolkien provides more information about him than he does for any of the Blue Wizards. Radagast came in Middle-earth concurrently with Gandalf; however, Saruman, who was directed to accompany Radagast, harbored a disdain for him, leading to their swift estrangement.
Radagast mostly disregarded the matters of Middle-earth, opting instead to concentrate on flora and fauna. Due to this tendency, he became the guardian of the woodlands, residing in Mirkwood and seldom departing.
Despite the presence of only five Istari, it is remarkable that two remain entirely enigmatic; the Blue Wizards exemplify this mystery. Alatar and Pallando arrived in Middle-earth during the Second Age, preceding the others, and promptly journeyed eastward.
Tolkien characterized them as “missionaries to enemy-occupied territories,” so their position precluded their involvement in the War of the Ring. Tolkien provided minimal information regarding these two, who were absent from his novels, however he implied that “they were the originators of clandestine cults and ‘magic’ traditions that persisted beyond Sauron’s demise.”
What is the Significance of the Istari’s History for ‘Rings of Power’?
The Rings of Power is hinting at the exploration of the histories of two Istari. The narrative of the Blue Wizards, however ambiguous, aligns most closely with the persona of the Dark Wizard in Rings of Power, particularly given his presence in Rhun and engagement with a cadre of mystics, so enabling the series to delve into one or both of these frequently overlooked characters.
Nonetheless, the parallels in their narrative hold little significance given the numerous alterations made to the series. While the specific Istari present in The Rings of Power remains uncertain, their history is increasingly significant as the Stranger discovers his identity.
Now prepared to face the Dark Wizard, a seemingly fallen member of the order, the objectives of the Istari and the regulations they are intended to adhere to appear poised to significantly influence the series.
Understand the intricate details of Middle-earth through our detailed analysis of the Istari’s history and importance in The Rings of Power. Discover the mythology around the mysterious wizards and their evolving narratives. Visit our website for further intriguing insights into Tolkien’s enduring cosmos!