3 + 9, x (7+12) Divided by Eleventy-one... oh dear - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

the guy who be short · 08-17-2005, 02:59 PM

I also came across a few websites declaring seven as the preferred number of god, the number of completion and perfection.

But then, contrast this to Tolkien's world.

The Seven sons of Feanor - Great, but all fell.
Seven Palantiri - Conceived well, most lost, captured by Sauron or destroyed.
Seven (arguably) Balrogs - Evil.
Seven Rings - Enslaved Dwarves.
Seven Dwarf Houses - Four of them fell, I believe. Not created by Eru.
Seven days - A Mannish adaptation of the Elvish system, and therefore not as good.
Seven Durins - Imperfect as they weren't created by Eru.

Seven Valar and Seven Valier - Pure.
Seven Stars - Pure.

The number 7 in Tolkien doesn't appear to reflect purity, virtue or general holiness other than in the case of the Valar and stars. Quite often we see Seven conceived in good - Palantiri, Feanor's sons (conceived in love), Seven Dwarves houses that then fall. Also, the Mannish adaptation of a 7 day week could be seen as less perfect than the Elvish 6 day week.

08-17-2005, 02:59 PM	#3
the guy who be short Shadowed Prince Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thulcandra Posts: 2,343	I also came across a few websites declaring seven as the preferred number of god, the number of completion and perfection. But then, contrast this to Tolkien's world. The Seven sons of Feanor - Great, but all fell. Seven Palantiri - Conceived well, most lost, captured by Sauron or destroyed. Seven (arguably) Balrogs - Evil. Seven Rings - Enslaved Dwarves. Seven Dwarf Houses - Four of them fell, I believe. Not created by Eru. Seven days - A Mannish adaptation of the Elvish system, and therefore not as good. Seven Durins - Imperfect as they weren't created by Eru. Seven Valar and Seven Valier - Pure. Seven Stars - Pure. The number 7 in Tolkien doesn't appear to reflect purity, virtue or general holiness other than in the case of the Valar and stars. Quite often we see Seven conceived in good - Palantiri, Feanor's sons (conceived in love), Seven Dwarves houses that then fall. Also, the Mannish adaptation of a 7 day week could be seen as less perfect than the Elvish 6 day week.