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[[File:Donato Giancola - The Ruling Ring.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|''The Ruling Ring'' by Donato Giancola]]
[[File:Donato Giancola - The Ruling Ring.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|''The Ruling Ring'' by Donato Giancola]]
The '''Ring-inscription''' was a [[Black Speech]] inscription in [[Tengwar]] upon [[the One Ring]], symbolising the Ring's power to control the other [[Rings of Power]], and perhaps being part of the ''spell'' that gave it its powers.
The '''Ring-inscription''' was a [[Black Speech]] inscription in [[Tengwar]] upon [[the One Ring]], symbolising the Ring's power to control the other [[Rings of Power]], and perhaps being an actual part of its power.
==Description==
==Description==  
Normally the One Ring appeared perfectly plain and featureless, but when heated in a fire the inscription appeared in fiery letters inside the Ring.  
After Sauron's first downfall, normally the One Ring appeared perfectly plain and featureless, but when heated in a fire the inscription appeared in fiery letters on the Ring.  


[[File:One Ring inscription.png]]
[[File:One Ring inscription.png]]


It seemed that the inscription used Elvish lettering because the other Rings of Power were made by the Elves. [[Isildur]] was the first to notice the letters. When he had cut the ring from Sauron's hand, it was burning hot, and so Isildur was able to transcribe the inscription before it faded. He described them to be of a [[Tengwar#The_General_Use|style]] "of [[Eregion]]" but was not able to understand the language. The mode of writing was the one used also in [[Westron]].
When [[Isildur]] had cut the ring from Sauron's hand, it was burning hot, and so Isildur was able to transcribe the inscription before it faded. He described it to be of a [[Tengwar#The_General_Use|style]] "of [[Eregion]]", and the mode to be the one used also in [[Westron]].<ref name=Shadow>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>


[[Gandalf]] first learned of the Ring-inscription when he read the [[Scroll of Isildur|account]] that Isildur had written before marching north to his death and the loss of the Ring. When Gandalf subsequently heated the ring that [[Bilbo Baggins]] had found and passed on to [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] the inscription appeared, leaving him in no doubt that it was the One Ring.
[[Gandalf]] first learned of the inscription when he read the [[Scroll of Isildur|account]] that Isildur had written before marching north to his death and the loss of the Ring. When Gandalf subsequently heated the ring that [[Bilbo Baggins]] had found and passed on to [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], the inscription appeared, leaving him in no doubt that it was the One Ring.<ref name=Shadow/>
 
Long before, on the creation of the One Ring, the smiths of [[Eregion]] who had forged the other [[Rings of Power]], heard in their minds the voice of Sauron, reciting the words. They then realized his plans, removing the rings from their fingers.


==Translation==
==Translation==
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<blockquote>''[[Ash]] [[nazg]] [[durbatulûk]], ash nazg [[gimbatul]], ash nazg [[thrakatulûk]], [[agh]] [[burzum-ishi]] [[krimpatul]]''</blockquote>
<blockquote>''[[Ash]] [[nazg]] [[durbatulûk]], ash nazg [[gimbatul]], ash nazg [[thrakatulûk]], [[agh]] [[burzum-ishi]] [[krimpatul]]''</blockquote>


These words were physically painful to any [[Elves|Elf]] who heard them (as well as any other words of that language), most probably because of the power and the shadow they brought (the Shadow being the more harmful to the elves).  
These words were physically painful to any [[Elves]] who heard them, as any words of that "Black Speech" which incurred some of Sauron's dark power on those present. When Gandalf recited them at the [[Council of Elrond]], the sky darkened and the Elves were pained.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>


Roughly translated, these words mean:
Roughly translated, these words mean:


<blockquote>''One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them''</blockquote>
<blockquote>''One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them''<ref name=Shadow/></blockquote>


==Ring-verse==
==Ring-verse==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Ring verse.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Calligraphy by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Ring verse.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Calligraphy by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
On the creation of the One Ring, the Smiths of Eregion heard in their minds Sauron's voice reciting the two-verse spell; then they realized Sauron's plans and removed the Rings from their fingers. Obviously this was the basis for the creation of a poem about the [[Rings of Power]] that also contained these lines. It was probably composed by the [[Free peoples]] during the wars with Sauron.
 
At some point following the gifting of the rings, a verse was written among the [[Free Peoples]] regarding them:


<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Line 34: Line 37:
'''One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,'''
'''One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,'''
'''One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them,'''
'''One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them,'''
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.''<ref>Some recent editions{{fact}} of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' accidentally omit the first two clauses of this phrase from Chapter 2.</ref>
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.''<ref group=note>Some recent editions{{fact}} of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' accidentally omit the first two clauses of this phrase from Chapter 2.</ref>
</poem>
</poem>


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|Ralph Bakshi's ''The Lord of the Rings'']]:'''
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Ring Inscription poses a plot gap in the movie. Gandalf makes Frodo throw the Ring in the fireplace, and later they both notice it is cold. The Inscription does not appear nor is mentioned, although Gandalf recites the verse; all these remain without giving any explanation why the Ring was thrown in the fireplace in the first place, since the non-existant inscription was not the point.
:The Ring Inscription poses a plot gap in the movie. Gandalf makes Frodo throw the Ring in the fireplace, and later they both notice it is cold. The Inscription does not appear nor is mentioned, although Gandalf recites the verse; all these remain without giving any explanation why the Ring was thrown in the fireplace in the first place, since the non-existent inscription was not the point.


'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's ''The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The Black Speech words form the "background" sound in various scenes about the Ring, and Gandalf speaks them at the Council of Elrond.
:The Black Speech words form the "background" sound in various scenes about the Ring, and Gandalf speaks them at the Council of Elrond.


'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|Peter Jackson's ''The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:In the book, Gandalf mentions the Black Speech phrase in the [[Council of Elrond]] in order to prove his concerns about the Ring, the atmosphere darkens and the Elves seem to suffer to hear the words. In [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|the first film]] he utters the words while the participants begin to argue and shout in order to "darken" the atmosphere and make them stop. It is not mentioned anywhere in the context that these lines were the Inscription of the Ring and he appeared like as he was conjuring a "spell". That event was a bit controversial to the fans of the books, since it was like somehow Gandalf made use of the Shadow in order to restore order, performing thus "dark [[magic]]"{{fact}}.
:In the book, Gandalf mentions the Black Speech phrase in the [[Council of Elrond]] in order to prove his concerns about the Ring, the atmosphere darkens and the Elves seem to suffer to hear the words. In [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|the first film]] he utters the words while the participants begin to argue and shout in order to "darken" the atmosphere and make them stop. It is not mentioned anywhere in the context that these lines were the Inscription of the Ring and he appeared like as he was conjuring a "spell". That event was a bit controversial to the fans of the books, since it was like somehow Gandalf made use of the Shadow in order to restore order, performing thus "dark [[magic]]"{{fact}}.


'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's ''The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:The Ring-inscription is found only on the outer side of the ring. Gandalf speaks the words several times, both in Bag End and Rivendell. The Black Speech version can also be found on the cover art and disc, however, it is written in poor quality [[Angerthas Erebor]]. A writer who was unfamiliar with the [[Daniel Steven Smith#Keymapping|keyboard values]] of most [[fonts|Elvish fonts]] simply typed "a-s-h n-a-z-g (et cetera)", so the runes read "l-lh-ng ô-l-e-s (et cetera)" in proper Angerthas Erebor.
:The Ring-inscription is found only on the outer side of the ring. Gandalf speaks the words several times, both in Bag End and Rivendell. The Black Speech version can also be found on the cover art and disc, however, it is written in poor quality [[Angerthas Erebor]]. A writer who was unfamiliar with the [[Daniel Steven Smith#Keymapping|keyboard values]] of most [[fonts|Elvish fonts]] simply typed "a-s-h n-a-z-g (et cetera)", so the runes read "l-lh-ng ô-l-e-s (et cetera)" in proper Angerthas Erebor.


Line 53: Line 56:
:The words of the Ring-Inscription in the Black Speech are chanted in the opening cinematic and are quoted several times throughout the game, especially when distracting enemies where the words "Ash Nazg" can be heard being whispered by the Wraith.
:The words of the Ring-Inscription in the Black Speech are chanted in the opening cinematic and are quoted several times throughout the game, especially when distracting enemies where the words "Ash Nazg" can be heard being whispered by the Wraith.


{{References}}
'''2017: ''[[Lord_of_the_Rings_Online#Mordor_Expansion|The Lord of the Rings Online: Mordor]]'':'''
* {{FR|Shadow}}
:The words of the Ring Verse in the Black Speech, along with Sauron's name are used as lyrics in the track "Chant for Sauron", composed by [[Chance Thomas]]. The track itself has been in the game ever since the ''[[Lord_of_the_Rings_Online#Mines_of_Moria_Expansion|Mines of Moria]]'' expansion, used as background music during the boss fight against Caerlûg in Nala-dûm, but was first released in an official soundtrack with the ''Mordor'' expansion.
* {{FR|Council}}
 
{{References|Notes}}


[[Category:Rings and Jewels]]
[[Category:Rings and Jewels]]

Revision as of 15:45, 15 October 2019

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
The Ruling Ring by Donato Giancola

The Ring-inscription was a Black Speech inscription in Tengwar upon the One Ring, symbolising the Ring's power to control the other Rings of Power, and perhaps being an actual part of its power.

Description

After Sauron's first downfall, normally the One Ring appeared perfectly plain and featureless, but when heated in a fire the inscription appeared in fiery letters on the Ring.

File:One Ring inscription.png

When Isildur had cut the ring from Sauron's hand, it was burning hot, and so Isildur was able to transcribe the inscription before it faded. He described it to be of a style "of Eregion", and the mode to be the one used also in Westron.[1]

Gandalf first learned of the inscription when he read the account that Isildur had written before marching north to his death and the loss of the Ring. When Gandalf subsequently heated the ring that Bilbo Baggins had found and passed on to Frodo, the inscription appeared, leaving him in no doubt that it was the One Ring.[1]

Long before, on the creation of the One Ring, the smiths of Eregion who had forged the other Rings of Power, heard in their minds the voice of Sauron, reciting the words. They then realized his plans, removing the rings from their fingers.

Translation

The inscription read:

Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul

These words were physically painful to any Elves who heard them, as any words of that "Black Speech" which incurred some of Sauron's dark power on those present. When Gandalf recited them at the Council of Elrond, the sky darkened and the Elves were pained.[2]

Roughly translated, these words mean:

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them[1]

Ring-verse

Calligraphy by J.R.R. Tolkien

At some point following the gifting of the rings, a verse was written among the Free Peoples regarding them:

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them,
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.[note 1]

Portrayal in adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

The Ring Inscription poses a plot gap in the movie. Gandalf makes Frodo throw the Ring in the fireplace, and later they both notice it is cold. The Inscription does not appear nor is mentioned, although Gandalf recites the verse; all these remain without giving any explanation why the Ring was thrown in the fireplace in the first place, since the non-existent inscription was not the point.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

The Black Speech words form the "background" sound in various scenes about the Ring, and Gandalf speaks them at the Council of Elrond.

2001-03: The Lord of the Rings (film series):

In the book, Gandalf mentions the Black Speech phrase in the Council of Elrond in order to prove his concerns about the Ring, the atmosphere darkens and the Elves seem to suffer to hear the words. In the first film he utters the words while the participants begin to argue and shout in order to "darken" the atmosphere and make them stop. It is not mentioned anywhere in the context that these lines were the Inscription of the Ring and he appeared like as he was conjuring a "spell". That event was a bit controversial to the fans of the books, since it was like somehow Gandalf made use of the Shadow in order to restore order, performing thus "dark magic"[source?].

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

The Ring-inscription is found only on the outer side of the ring. Gandalf speaks the words several times, both in Bag End and Rivendell. The Black Speech version can also be found on the cover art and disc, however, it is written in poor quality Angerthas Erebor. A writer who was unfamiliar with the keyboard values of most Elvish fonts simply typed "a-s-h n-a-z-g (et cetera)", so the runes read "l-lh-ng ô-l-e-s (et cetera)" in proper Angerthas Erebor.

2014: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor:

The words of the Ring-Inscription in the Black Speech are chanted in the opening cinematic and are quoted several times throughout the game, especially when distracting enemies where the words "Ash Nazg" can be heard being whispered by the Wraith.

2017: The Lord of the Rings Online: Mordor:

The words of the Ring Verse in the Black Speech, along with Sauron's name are used as lyrics in the track "Chant for Sauron", composed by Chance Thomas. The track itself has been in the game ever since the Mines of Moria expansion, used as background music during the boss fight against Caerlûg in Nala-dûm, but was first released in an official soundtrack with the Mordor expansion.

Notes

  1. Some recent editions[source?] of The Fellowship of the Ring accidentally omit the first two clauses of this phrase from Chapter 2.

References