Three Rings

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The Three Rings were magical artifacts, three of the Rings of Power. They had the power of preservation.[1]

They were forged by Celebrimbor alone and were different from the other Rings of Power, in that Sauron never touched him. Celebrimbor named the rings Vilya, Narya, and Nenya after the principal elements of air, fire, and water. However as they were created according to the craft taught by him, they would be dependant under the power of the One Ring.

Names and descriptions of the Three Rings

History

When "Annatar" taught the Gwaith-i-Mirdain of Eregion how to create the Rings of Power, Celebrimbor proceeded to forge Three more on his own. Annatar didn't learn about them, and they were free from Sauron's corrupting influence.

When Sauron created the One Ring, the Elves who wore the Rings of Power heard his voice and realized they had been deceived. Celebrimbor then sent his three rings away for safekeeping: Vilya and Narya to Gil-galad in Lindon, and Nenya to Galadriel in Lothlórien.

Sauron waged war against the Elves and succeeded to claim the Rings of Power. But the Three remained hidden and their whereabouts were seldom revealed.

Galadriel, used Nenya to protect Lothlórien from attack. Frodo later carelessly revealed this to Aragorn, who reprimanded him for doing so.

The other two rings were revealed at the end of the Third Age, after Frodo destroyed the One Ring, and the Dark Lord Sauron was completely overthrown. It transpired that Elrond had wielded Vilya and Gandalf had wielded Narya.

After the destruction of the One Ring, their power diminished. Their bearers left Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age.

Portrayal in adaptations

The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

In the introduction of the movie, the Three Rings are said to be made "for the tall Elf Kings" as three unidentified silhouettes are seen holding and lifting the Rings. It is not mentioned who those Elf Kings were (only Gil-galad is mentioned in the book).

References


Rings of Power
The One Ring | Three Rings (Narya · Nenya · Vilya) | Seven Rings (Ring of Thrór) | Nine Rings