Three Rings

From Tolkien Gateway

The Three Rings were magical artefacts, three of the Rings of Power. They were forged by Celebrimbor and his smiths with the desire of "understanding, making, and healing" and had the power to preserve all things unstained.[1][2] They were named Vilya, Narya, and Nenya after the principal elements of air, fire, and water.

They were different from the other Rings of Power, in that Sauron did not partake to their making nor ever he touched them; as such, they were "unsullied", free from his corruptive influence, and did not make their wearer invisible.[3] But as they were created according to the craft taught by him, they would be dependant under the power of the One Ring.[4]

Names and descriptions of the Three Rings

  • Nenya, The Ring of Water, also called the Ring of Adamant, made of mithril with a shimmering white stone; it was the chief of the Three[5] originally worn by Celebrimbor himself but given to Galadriel
  • Narya, The Ring of Fire, set with a ruby; originally worn by Gil-galad, then by Círdan, who finally gave it to Gandalf.
  • Vilya, The Ring of Air and mightiest of the Three, gold with a sapphire stone; originally worn by Gil-galad but given to Elrond.

The Rings were named after the three principal elements, each matching the color of their stones. Their names also match the fates of the three Silmarils: Maglor threw one into the sea, Maedhros fell with one in the lava, while Earendil keeps one in the sky.[6] However not much is known about their specific powers and whether they had anything to do with each element.[7]

History

When "Annatar" taught the Gwaith-i-Mirdain of Eregion how to create the Rings of Power, Celebrimbor's smiths proceeded to forge Three more on their 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.[4] Celebrimbor then sent his three rings away for safekeeping: He gave Nenya to Galadriel in Lothlórien, who advised him to send the other two west away from Sauron, so he gave Vilya and Narya to High King Gil-galad in Lindon.

As the Elves failed him, Sauron waged war against Eregion and succeeded in claiming the Rings of Power. But the Three remained hidden and their whereabouts were seldom revealed.

After Sauron's defeat in the end of the Second Age, the Keepers of the Three Rings were free to wear them, except Círdan who eventually gave Narya to Gandalf.[8] During the Third Age, the Rings were not idle.[9] They were used to create enclaves of peace and protection where memory and beauty were preserved from wear and decay.[4][3]

During the War of the Ring Frodo Baggins found out that Galadriel held Nenya, using it to preserve Lothlórien from withering, and Aragorn reprimanded him for revealing this. 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 presumably used its powers to Rivendell a haven safe from attack. It was Gandalf who wielded Narya.

After the destruction of the One Ring, their power diminished and became plain relics. Not being able to hold back Time and preserve the High-elven lore and beauty, their bearers left Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age.[1][10]

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