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

Priya · 01-02-2026, 12:55 PM

… continued from my previous post

As to the figure – Tolkien can’t help but have noticed Mercury staring at his arm raised in challenge with a single finger on one hand extended above the rest.

Mercury Statue, Right Hand showing raised Fore-finger

Or, depending on the viewing angle, perhaps the god is really staring at his little finger*?

One certainly can’t miss him balancing on one foot. Running or hopping – who can truly say? And at the fountain pump’s normal setting, from afar only his lower leg appears to get wet**.

From all of this – one can’t help but mull upon whether the threads of a story began to be woven together – with our Tom Bombadil taking up aspects of the Roman god’s persona!

… to be continued

* One should recall:

“Then Tom put the Ring round the end of his little finger and held it up to the candlelight.”
 – The Fellowship of the Ring, In the House of Tom Bombadil

** From the story:

“Tom Bombadil came trotting round the corner of the house, waving his arms as if he was warding off the rain – and indeed when he sprang over the threshold he seemed quite dry, except for his boots.” 
– The Fellowship of the Ring, In the House of Tom Bombadil

01-02-2026, 12:55 PM	#7
Priya Animated Skeleton Join Date: Sep 2023 Posts: 45	… continued from my previous post As to the figure – Tolkien can’t help but have noticed Mercury staring at his arm raised in challenge with a single finger on one hand extended above the rest. Mercury Statue, Right Hand showing raised Fore-finger Or, depending on the viewing angle, perhaps the god is really staring at his little finger? One certainly can’t miss him balancing on one foot. Running or hopping – who can truly say? And at the fountain pump’s normal setting, from afar only his lower leg appears to get wet. From all of this – one can’t help but mull upon whether the threads of a story began to be woven together – with our Tom Bombadil taking up aspects of the Roman god’s persona! … to be continued One should recall: “Then Tom put the Ring round the end of his little finger and held it up to the candlelight.”  – The Fellowship of the Ring, In the House of Tom Bombadil ** From the story: “Tom Bombadil came trotting round the corner of the house, waving his arms as if he was warding off the rain – and indeed when he sprang over the threshold he seemed quite dry, except for his boots.”  – The Fellowship of the Ring, In the House of Tom Bombadil Last edited by Priya; 01-02-2026 at 01:03 PM.