Secret Fire: Difference between revisions
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{{disambig-more|Secret Fire|[[Secret Fire (disambiguation)]]}} | {{disambig-more|Secret Fire|[[Secret Fire (disambiguation)]]}} | ||
[[File:Anna Kulisz - Ainulindale - Harmony.jpg|250px|thumb|''Ainulindale - Harmony'' by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]]] | [[File:Anna Kulisz - Ainulindale - Harmony.jpg|250px|thumb|''Ainulindale - Harmony'' by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]]] | ||
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The Secret Fire refers to that aspect of Eru [[Ilúvatar]] which is his Power of Creation. It is the power to give life and substance, through which he granted free will and true life, imbuing a [[fëa]] within the beings he created. The [[Ainur]] and [[Eä]] were made through it. | The Secret Fire refers to that aspect of Eru [[Ilúvatar]] which is his Power of Creation. It is the power to give life and substance, through which he granted free will and true life, imbuing a [[fëa]] within the beings he created. The [[Ainur]] and [[Eä]] were made through it. | ||
Without it the appearance of life would merely be a mockery animated with a [[Valar|Vala]]'s will, such as [[Morgoth]]'s corruptions, which lived but did not have free will or true life.<ref group="note">{{MR|Myths}} In Text VIII, Tolkien explains: "I think it must be assumed that 'talking' is not necessarily the sign of the possession of a 'rational soul' or fëa. The Orcs were beasts of humanized shape (to mock Men and Elves) deliberately perverted / converted into a more close resemblance to Men. Their 'talking' was really reeling off 'records' set in them by Melkor. Even their rebellious critical words - he knew about them. Melkor taught them speech and as they bred they inherited this; and they had just as much independence as have, say, dogs or horses of their human masters. This talking was largely echoic (cf. parrots). In ''The Lord of the Rings'' Sauron is said to have devised a language for them. [Black Speech] The same sort of thing may be said of Huan and the Eagles: they were taught language by the Valar, and raised to a higher level - but they still had no fëar."</ref> [[Morgoth|Melkor]] was envious of it and sought it in the [[Void]], but the Flame was only with Eru.<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref> It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning, and later Ilúvatar send it to burn at the center of the [[World]].<ref>{{S| | Without it the appearance of life would merely be a mockery animated with a [[Valar|Vala]]'s will, such as [[Morgoth]]'s corruptions, which lived but did not have free will or true life.<ref group="note">{{MR|Myths}} In Text VIII, Tolkien explains: "I think it must be assumed that 'talking' is not necessarily the sign of the possession of a 'rational soul' or fëa. The Orcs were beasts of humanized shape (to mock Men and Elves) deliberately perverted / converted into a more close resemblance to Men. Their 'talking' was really reeling off 'records' set in them by Melkor. Even their rebellious critical words - he knew about them. Melkor taught them speech and as they bred they inherited this; and they had just as much independence as have, say, dogs or horses of their human masters. This talking was largely echoic (cf. parrots). In ''The Lord of the Rings'' Sauron is said to have devised a language for them. [Black Speech] The same sort of thing may be said of Huan and the Eagles: they were taught language by the Valar, and raised to a higher level - but they still had no fëar."</ref> [[Morgoth|Melkor]] was envious of it and sought it in the [[Void]], but the Flame was only with Eru.<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref> It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning, and later Ilúvatar send it to burn at the center of the [[World]].<ref>{{S|IIa}}</ref> | ||
The Secret Fire is also described as being part of all [[Fëa and hröa|fëa]]: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought. Aulë's [[Dwarves]] were not made in mockery of Eru's or any other Vala's creation, but they did not have independent thought or life until Eru granted them fëa.<ref>{{S|Aule}}</ref> | The Secret Fire is also described as being part of all [[Fëa and hröa|fëa]]: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought. Aulë's [[Dwarves]] were not made in mockery of Eru's or any other Vala's creation, but they did not have independent thought or life until Eru granted them fëa.<ref>{{S|Aule}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 10:15, 16 January 2022
- "Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä."
- ― Valaquenta
The Secret Fire, also known as the Flame Imperishable, was Ilúvatar's mysterious power of creation in Eä.
History
The Secret Fire refers to that aspect of Eru Ilúvatar which is his Power of Creation. It is the power to give life and substance, through which he granted free will and true life, imbuing a fëa within the beings he created. The Ainur and Eä were made through it.
Without it the appearance of life would merely be a mockery animated with a Vala's will, such as Morgoth's corruptions, which lived but did not have free will or true life.[note 1] Melkor was envious of it and sought it in the Void, but the Flame was only with Eru.[1] It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning, and later Ilúvatar send it to burn at the center of the World.[2]
The Secret Fire is also described as being part of all fëa: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought. Aulë's Dwarves were not made in mockery of Eru's or any other Vala's creation, but they did not have independent thought or life until Eru granted them fëa.[3]
Gandalf the Grey referred to both the Secret Fire and the Flame of Anor while facing a Balrog at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm: "You cannot pass, I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass".[4]
Inspiration
This is an alternate name of the Holy Spirit in Tolkien's mythos, like Eru is the name of God. Clyde S. Kilby mentions a discussion he had with Tolkien: "Professor Tolkien talked to me at some length about the use of the word 'holy' in The Silmarillion. Very specifically he told me that the 'Secret Fire sent to burn at the heart of the World' in the beginning was the Holy Spirit."[5]
See also
External links
- Tolkien, Servant of the Secret Fire by Jonathan McIntosh
Notes
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed" In Text VIII, Tolkien explains: "I think it must be assumed that 'talking' is not necessarily the sign of the possession of a 'rational soul' or fëa. The Orcs were beasts of humanized shape (to mock Men and Elves) deliberately perverted / converted into a more close resemblance to Men. Their 'talking' was really reeling off 'records' set in them by Melkor. Even their rebellious critical words - he knew about them. Melkor taught them speech and as they bred they inherited this; and they had just as much independence as have, say, dogs or horses of their human masters. This talking was largely echoic (cf. parrots). In The Lord of the Rings Sauron is said to have devised a language for them. [Black Speech] The same sort of thing may be said of Huan and the Eagles: they were taught language by the Valar, and raised to a higher level - but they still had no fëar."
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Ainulindalë: The Music of the Ainur"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: [Introduction]"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Aulë and Yavanna"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"
- ↑ Clyde S. Kilby, Tolkien and The Silmarillion, "Tolkien as Christian Writer", p. 59
