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Lalwendë · 01-24-2006, 08:46 AM

I've often wondered if the colours had any significance but if I explore this too far I get tangled and things would become too difficult to explain with evidence from the texts, so here's my simple explanation

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Gandalf's 'Grey' I think may come quite literally from his appearance - he was the most well-travelled wizard that we know of, in terms of mixing with people in Middle earth, and his fame itself may have earned him a nickname. i also like to think that maybe his nickname may have arisen from his method of giving advice - he encourages those he talks to to think through the options and consequences, to consider the 'grey' areas, e.g. Frodo at first sees Gollum's survival as an issue with a clear answer, but Gandalf encourages him to see it another way.

I think that Saruman's 'White' title comes from his position as head of the Istari - he is recognised as such by Cirdan on his arrival, and goes on to be head of the White Council. White would be an appropriate designation for the wizard who took this position as White could be said to symbolise Light. When Saruman breaks the Light to see what it is made from, he then becomes Saruman of Many Colours. Gandalf then is able to take or be given the title 'White' as it has in effect become free.

As to why there are two 'Blue' wizards, I think possibly it is that Tolkien simply did not designate them separate colours as they were something of an afterthought in the writing process - though 'Blue' is a good choice of title for two wizards who effectively disappeared off into 'the blue yonder'. And I think 'Brown' is appropriate for Radagast, as he is close to nature, and brown is suitably 'earthy'. On the Encyclopedia of Arda site it interstingly quotes the Old English word 'rudugast', meaning 'brown spirit' as a possible origin though it does point out that there is no evidence for this.

01-24-2006, 08:46 AM	#7
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I've often wondered if the colours had any significance but if I explore this too far I get tangled and things would become too difficult to explain with evidence from the texts, so here's my simple explanation . Gandalf's 'Grey' I think may come quite literally from his appearance - he was the most well-travelled wizard that we know of, in terms of mixing with people in Middle earth, and his fame itself may have earned him a nickname. i also like to think that maybe his nickname may have arisen from his method of giving advice - he encourages those he talks to to think through the options and consequences, to consider the 'grey' areas, e.g. Frodo at first sees Gollum's survival as an issue with a clear answer, but Gandalf encourages him to see it another way. I think that Saruman's 'White' title comes from his position as head of the Istari - he is recognised as such by Cirdan on his arrival, and goes on to be head of the White Council. White would be an appropriate designation for the wizard who took this position as White could be said to symbolise Light. When Saruman breaks the Light to see what it is made from, he then becomes Saruman of Many Colours. Gandalf then is able to take or be given the title 'White' as it has in effect become free. As to why there are two 'Blue' wizards, I think possibly it is that Tolkien simply did not designate them separate colours as they were something of an afterthought in the writing process - though 'Blue' is a good choice of title for two wizards who effectively disappeared off into 'the blue yonder'. And I think 'Brown' is appropriate for Radagast, as he is close to nature, and brown is suitably 'earthy'. On the Encyclopedia of Arda site it interstingly quotes the Old English word 'rudugast', meaning 'brown spirit' as a possible origin though it does point out that there is no evidence for this. __________________ Gordon's alive!