What's in a Staff?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon'sFire

What is it about an Istari wizard that requires him to have a staff? 5 entered Middle-Earth, all of whom had staff's but what connects each and what, if any, power lies in possession of a staff?

Interestingly enough, in the quote from UT you mentioned afterward, only Gandalf himself was described as having a staff when the Istari first arrived:

Others there were also: two clad in sea-blue, and one in earthen brown; and the last came one who seemed the least, less tall than the others, and in looks more aged, grey-haired and grey-clad, and leaning on a staff.

If all had their staffs upon arrival, why is Gandalf's possession of one so noteworthy?
Along those lines, there is this quote from TTT, where Faramir tells Frodo and Sam about Gandalf's words to him years earlier:

'Many are my names in many countries. Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Dwarves...'

And in a related note in UT regarding that quote, Tharkûn is said to have the meaning 'staff-man'.
Again, it's interesting that Gandalf gets the distinction of association with a staff. We don't know the Dwarven names for the other Istari, but presumably their names aren't derived from their attachment to a staff.

Lastly, was Radagast described as having a staff when he met with Gandalf on the borders of the Shire? I don't have a copy of FOTR with me, but I don't remember any mention of one.