The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Tom Bombadil and gods of our world’s mythologies

Priya · 01-10-2026, 11:11 AM

… continued from my previous post

In further contemplating the imagery displayed by Mercury – he obviously has power over the ‘ring’ – because, of course, he is visible. Facing the west, it’s almost as if a symbolic declaration is being made (to whichever powers are out there) that he is in command over a particular piece of territory. Notably there are no others among the pantheon of Greco-Roman gods present. Yes, there is nobody. So indeed Mercury is both ‘first’ and ‘last’ in this setting. And when it comes to the rimmed ring-like kerb of the fountain – when the lighting conditions are right – that which is encased by the ‘ring’ can resemble a “wheel of fire”:

“… a figure robed in white, but at its breast it held a wheel of fire.”
 – The Return of the King, Mount Doom

Mercury Fountain, waters reflecting Christ Church buildings

Turning our attention to science:

“The Gaulish ‘Mercury’ … was imagined to be the discoverer of all the sciences: …”. 
– Origins of English History, Chapter X*– pg. 258, C. Elton, 1882

Bombadil too had a scientific side:

“He is in a way …” aligned with “… Botany and Zoology (as sciences) … as opposed to Cattle-breeding and Agriculture and practicality.”
 – The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter #144 – 25 April 1954, Edited by H. Carpenter, 1981

The chemical symbol for Mercury is Hg. It is derived from Latin: hydrargyros, meaning ‘water’ and ‘silver’ – from which the term ‘quicksilver’ has evolved. A rather fitting description for the Withywindle waters that flowed past Tom’s house one might presume. Because as Tolkien seems to have subtly alluded to via Goldberry’s voice:

“… water flowing down … came falling like silver to meet them: …”.
 – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Old Forest (my underlined emphasis)

Mercury flowing at Room Temperature

So what I am advocating, as you have no doubt guessed, is that Tom Bombadil has also an alter-ego reflected in the god Mercury. And Tolkien infused that into his novel by using architectural ‘memories’ of him laid down in his very own Oxford!

… to be continued

01-10-2026, 11:11 AM	#8
Priya Animated Skeleton Join Date: Sep 2023 Posts: 45	… continued from my previous post In further contemplating the imagery displayed by Mercury – he obviously has power over the ‘ring’ – because, of course, he is visible. Facing the west, it’s almost as if a symbolic declaration is being made (to whichever powers are out there) that he is in command over a particular piece of territory. Notably there are no others among the pantheon of Greco-Roman gods present. Yes, there is nobody. So indeed Mercury is both ‘first’ and ‘last’ in this setting. And when it comes to the rimmed ring-like kerb of the fountain – when the lighting conditions are right – that which is encased by the ‘ring’ can resemble a “wheel of fire”: “… a figure robed in white, but at its breast it held a wheel of fire.”  – The Return of the King, Mount Doom Mercury Fountain, waters reflecting Christ Church buildings Turning our attention to science: “The Gaulish ‘Mercury’ … was imagined to be the discoverer of all the sciences: …”.  – Origins of English History, Chapter X– pg. 258, C. Elton, 1882 Bombadil too had a scientific side: “He is in a way …” aligned with “… Botany and Zoology (as sciences) … as opposed to Cattle-breeding and Agriculture and practicality.”  – The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter #144 – 25 April 1954, Edited by H. Carpenter, 1981 The chemical symbol for Mercury is Hg. It is derived from Latin: hydrargyros, meaning ‘water’ and ‘silver’ – from which the term ‘quicksilver’ has evolved. A rather fitting description for the Withywindle waters that flowed past Tom’s house one might presume. Because as Tolkien seems to have subtly alluded to via Goldberry’s voice: “… water flowing down … came falling like silver to meet them: …”.  – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Old Forest* (my underlined emphasis) Mercury flowing at Room Temperature So what I am advocating, as you have no doubt guessed, is that Tom Bombadil has also an alter-ego reflected in the god Mercury. And Tolkien infused that into his novel by using architectural ‘memories’ of him laid down in his very own Oxford! … to be continued