Substance of Elven rings - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eorl of Rohan · 02-20-2004, 02:20 AM

I was just wondering, why would Vilya be made out of Gold?

Simple coincidence? I think not, since Tolkien did not add a detial for nothing. For instance, there was reason that Vilya was the mightiest of the three, and had a sapphire on it, and was a ring of air - to show its similiarity with Manwe.

But why would Vilya be made out of Gold? I can't associate gold with anything in Tolkien's works, except for one phrase "Gold, toys of the dwarves, and iron, their servant." That does not point to anything powerful or majestic.

Of course, gold is a precious substance, but Mithril is much more precious still. It is not fitting that Nenya should be made out of Mithril while Vilya of gold.

It occured to me that Mithril is rather a feminine-like substance, while gold is masculine. Maybe it was becuase Galadriel was a woman while Elrond was a man?

Finwe · 02-20-2004, 06:31 PM

I'm assuming that Manwë liked gold because the Vanyar, who were Golden, were "his" people, just like the Noldor were Aulë's "people." Also, gold is considered more precious than silver (it might be different for mithril), so the most powerful of the Three would probably have the most precious metal.

***Sharkû*** · 02-20-2004, 10:37 PM

Actually, what's really interesting about that is that the Quendi generally liked silver better, that mithril was rarer and thus more precious than gold, and that gold was much more of a 'Melkor-element' than silver.

Frodo2968thewhite · 02-22-2004, 10:38 AM

Well, I have indeed asked myself this on many accounts, and it is odd. Manwe himself liked gold, the Quendi liked silver, the noldor liked silver. I believe that with gold, comes evil and corruption; but silver is pure and equally as beautiful.

Hmmm, maybe it is a mixture of both?

02-20-2004, 02:20 AM	#1
Eorl of Rohan Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 602	Substance of Elven rings I was just wondering, why would Vilya be made out of Gold? Simple coincidence? I think not, since Tolkien did not add a detial for nothing. For instance, there was reason that Vilya was the mightiest of the three, and had a sapphire on it, and was a ring of air - to show its similiarity with Manwe. But why would Vilya be made out of Gold? I can't associate gold with anything in Tolkien's works, except for one phrase "Gold, toys of the dwarves, and iron, their servant." That does not point to anything powerful or majestic. Of course, gold is a precious substance, but Mithril is much more precious still. It is not fitting that Nenya should be made out of Mithril while Vilya of gold. It occured to me that Mithril is rather a feminine-like substance, while gold is masculine. Maybe it was becuase Galadriel was a woman while Elrond was a man? __________________ There is no signature here.

02-20-2004, 06:31 PM	#2
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	I'm assuming that Manwë liked gold because the Vanyar, who were Golden, were "his" people, just like the Noldor were Aulë's "people." Also, gold is considered more precious than silver (it might be different for mithril), so the most powerful of the Three would probably have the most precious metal. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

02-22-2004, 10:38 AM	#4
Frodo2968thewhite Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Shire Posts: 95	Well, I have indeed asked myself this on many accounts, and it is odd. Manwe himself liked gold, the Quendi liked silver, the noldor liked silver. I believe that with gold, comes evil and corruption; but silver is pure and equally as beautiful. Hmmm, maybe it is a mixture of both? __________________ INAGURAL GOLDEN RING MARATHON, OCTOBER 20, 2005!!! FRODO LIVES!!!!

02-20-2004, 10:37 PM	#3
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,719	Actually, what's really interesting about that is that the Quendi generally liked silver better, that mithril was rarer and thus more precious than gold, and that gold was much more of a 'Melkor-element' than silver.