Hobbit hair - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 07-12-2006, 03:32 PM

Well, according to the chapter The Grey Havens, the year 1420 in the Shire was a marvellous year wherein many hobbit bairns were born with "rich golden hair that had before been rare among hobbits."

We know that Sam put a grain of Galadriel's special dust when he planted new trees after the Scouring of the Shire, but how Galadriel's hair colour got mixed in with hobbit genes is not, I think, explained. Nor does the text exactly say that this hair colour derives from Galadriel, although it is easy to make a connection given how significant her hair is.

It's a mystery.

Anguirel · 07-12-2006, 03:43 PM

I always wonder if a party of virile, hopelessly drunk Rohirrim passed through the Shire in 1419-20...

Rune Son of Bjarne · 07-12-2006, 03:53 PM

Ang would you please not post stuff like that, so close to my bed time ?

MatthewM · 07-12-2006, 05:07 PM

"I always wonder if a party of virile, hopelessly drunk Rohirrim passed through the Shire in 1419-20"

good one.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 07-12-2006, 05:18 PM

Short neat hair is a serious negative in fantasy. Most men wish they had long, flowing locks but they are generally dissuaded in 'the real world' because they're less likely to get a job, or whatever. Adventure books harbour not only dreams of dragons and diamonds, you know!

Diamond18 · 07-12-2006, 08:08 PM

I am very partial to the Hobbit hair in the movies, and as I am not sure exactly what Tolkien intended I prefer to picture it that way.

However, as Tolkien I believe patterned the Hobbits after late 19th century bucolic Englishmen, I think whatever length of hair was prevalent amongst that lot can be ascribed to Tolkien's mental imagery. Unfortunately I can't remember where I read about Tolkien's inspiration for Hobbit culture, I assume it was the letters which I only read a library copy of a long while ago.

Bêthberry · 07-12-2006, 08:38 PM

Does this topic include the hair on hairy Hobbit feet?

07-12-2006, 03:32 PM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Only their hairdressers know ... Well, according to the chapter The Grey Havens, the year 1420 in the Shire was a marvellous year wherein many hobbit bairns were born with "rich golden hair that had before been rare among hobbits." We know that Sam put a grain of Galadriel's special dust when he planted new trees after the Scouring of the Shire, but how Galadriel's hair colour got mixed in with hobbit genes is not, I think, explained. Nor does the text exactly say that this hair colour derives from Galadriel, although it is easy to make a connection given how significant her hair is. It's a mystery. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

07-12-2006, 03:43 PM	#2
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	I always wonder if a party of virile, hopelessly drunk Rohirrim passed through the Shire in 1419-20... __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

07-12-2006, 05:07 PM	#4
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	"I always wonder if a party of virile, hopelessly drunk Rohirrim passed through the Shire in 1419-20" good one. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

07-12-2006, 05:18 PM	#5
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Short neat hair is a serious negative in fantasy. Most men wish they had long, flowing locks but they are generally dissuaded in 'the real world' because they're less likely to get a job, or whatever. Adventure books harbour not only dreams of dragons and diamonds, you know! __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

07-12-2006, 08:08 PM	#6
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	I am very partial to the Hobbit hair in the movies, and as I am not sure exactly what Tolkien intended I prefer to picture it that way. However, as Tolkien I believe patterned the Hobbits after late 19th century bucolic Englishmen, I think whatever length of hair was prevalent amongst that lot can be ascribed to Tolkien's mental imagery. Unfortunately I can't remember where I read about Tolkien's inspiration for Hobbit culture, I assume it was the letters which I only read a library copy of a long while ago. __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

07-12-2006, 08:38 PM	#7
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Does this topic include the hair on hairy Hobbit feet? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.