- Secret Fire
In J. R. R. Tolkien's
fiction almythology , the Secret Fire and Flame Imperishable, and possibly the Flame of Anor, are references to a mysterious power. Tolkien described it as similar to the ChristianHoly Spirit [Clyde S. Kilby. "Tolkien & The Silmarillion". Harold Shaw, 1976, p. 59.] , andGandalf is called a servant of it. ["Tolkien's World from A to Z: The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth" by Robert Foster; published by Ballantine Books of New York.] [Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter V, p. 322]The Secret Fire, or Flame Imperishable, seems to refer to the creative aspect of
Eru Ilúvatar . It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning. Melkor, desiring power equal to Ilúvatar, sought for it in vain. Melkor's desire for the Secret Fire led to his rebellion against Ilúvatar (reminiscent of the fall ofSatan in "Paradise Lost "). Later Ilúvatar set the Secret Fire (or an aspect of it) at the heart ofEä .The Secret Fire is also part of all Fëar: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought. Without it, new beings cannot be created. Speaking of Orcs, Frodo explains this to Sam:
Gandalf the Grey refers to both the Secret Fire and the Flame of Anor when facingDurin's Bane at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm:SomeFact|date=March 2008 see this reference as equating the "flame of Anor" with the "Secret Fire"; othersFact|date=March 2008 argue that the "flame of Anor" here refers rather to
Narya , the Elven Ring that Gandalf wears.ee also
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Fëa and hröa Notes and references
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