Skip to main content

the lord of the rings - Inconsistency on the Doors of Durin


I just read the following text on tolkiengateway.net:



The name Moria means "Black Chasm" and was a derogatory description of the place which the Dwarves did not like, and was given after Durin's Bane took over the city in the Third Age. It is therefore a mystery why that name appears on an inscription made in the Second Age, and made in consent with the Dwarves.



It discusses the inconsistency of the name Moria appearing on the Doors of Durin. Was Tolkien aware of this? Did he ever comment on this?


Edit:


I am not asking why the Dwarves dislike the name, but if they could see the future? How can the name Moria appear on the doors, which were built in the Second Age, when it was given in the Third Age?



Moria


Second Age:



A rare friendship sprang up between the Dwarves and the Elves of this new land. Eregion's ruler, Celebrimbor, helped to construct the famous and magical gate that became known as the West-gate of Moria..



Third Age:



In that time it was given a new name, Moria, the Black Pit.




Answer




In the Lord of the Rings Readers Companion (Hammond and Scull, so it may be considered of high authority so far as Tolkien scholarship goes) this question is dealt with, and the following options are considered as potential answers:



  • The name was given because Khazad-Dum was underground, not because of any particular horror or darkness (Elves being lovers of light and the green earth), and dates back further than is commonly accepted.

  • Celebrimbor foresaw the name.

  • A later craftsman reworked the inscription.

  • The "magic lettering" had re-arranged itself when Khazad-Dum came to be called Moria.

  • "Hadhodrond" (the Elves original name for Moria) was actually on the doors all along, but Gandalf just read out "Moria" when reading it aloud, in the same way as he read out "Hollin" where "Eregion" was inscribed. In this scenario it's assumed that the name "Moria" in the illustration was a mistake made by the illustrator of the Red Book.


Of these, the last one seems most credible, and in the absence of a canonical explanation from Tolkien (and being Hammond and Scull one must work on the basis that there is no canonical explanation) it's what I'm inclined to go with.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....
Post a Comment
Read more

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more