5 Istari - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

burrahobbit · 06-13-2002, 03:14 AM

I've never thought about the numbers of the Istari before, Leto (great name, btw), and now that I am it is really bothering me. Tolkien often used "magic numbers" when writing. 3, 6, 9, 12, etc. I am troubled that I can't think of why 5 would be a magic. The best* that I've come up with in discussion is that they are five fingers** of a hand, to grab at Sauron and depose him.

*Best, but probably still wrong.
**obloquy came up with the idea of five fingers and toes.

06-13-2002, 03:14 AM	#6
burrahobbit Hidden Spirit Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,424	I've never thought about the numbers of the Istari before, Leto (great name, btw), and now that I am it is really bothering me. Tolkien often used "magic numbers" when writing. 3, 6, 9, 12, etc. I am troubled that I can't think of why 5 would be a magic. The best* that I've come up with in discussion is that they are five fingers** of a hand, to grab at Sauron and depose him. Best, but probably still wrong. *obloquy came up with the idea of five fingers and toes. __________________ What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?

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