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What's interesting (imo) is that she seems to have become increasingly such a symbol to Tolkien himself, as over the years he caused her to approach nearer & nearer to a 'goddess'.
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Indeed, Galadriel seems to have emerged into the active secondary world of Middle Earth and then faded back into the 'cauldron of story,' perhaps much on a theme of the elder race 'fading' at the end of the Third Age. His tales are shot through with the theme of the Faerie aspect of this world passing away, of the desire to follow but never being fully able to, the frustration of the "Sea Bell" rising when the desire is too great and the pleasant tantalizing hints of "news from Bree" which puts this Faerie realm where it seems to fit best, in the imagination and on the edge of reality.
Galadriel's position seems very much goddess-like, as she comes into contact with few who live in Middle Earth, and none who meet her ever forget her. They are all moved by her power and all love her. It is interesting to note Frodo's complete willingness to give up the One Ring to her. In this moment, he worships her and also feels her power, she is a
goddess to his mind. She does not so much
inspire him to create and to reach greater heights but enjoins him to keep to his quest by revealing her own vulnerability (and strength). She becomes real in this sense, rather than an abstract quality. Sam, on the other hand, seems to reject the unreal (scary!) aspects of 'elvish magic' once he has seen them, opting instead for the real 'earth magic,' if you will, of the realm of Lothlorien, loving the Lady for her living works, taking away her image in his mind and applying it with inspiration in the Shire. It seems that Galadriel takes on more of a "muse-like" aspect with regard to Samwise, as his creations in the Shire each have a grain of Galadriel's gift, much like the germ of an inspiration. Of course, this is not absolute in its definition, as there is a full blown mallorn tree growing in the Party Field, an unmistakable sign of the Lady's direct influence.
Galadriel does seem to change her aspect as time wears on, and I suppose one who wielded temporal power, even as she kept her realm as non-temporal as possible, would fade into myth, as the Elves fade from the story, the Fourth Age begins, and the Lady's works fade; all that is left to Middle Earth is memory and inspiration. For those who have personal experience of the Lady of the Golden Wood, the inspiration becomes more like a loss, and most follow the image West into memory or myth, if you will. Gimli, for his devotion, is allowed to follow Galadriel to the West, a boon not granted to those in the primary world, who must sit and watch things pass away and retain their inspirational qualities.
I'm not sure what I am trying to say in this rambling post, but I have very much enjoyed this thread so far, and look forward to reading more! Bear with the hobbit's crackpot theories if you will, and maybe there is something between the lines!
Cheers!
Lyta