5 Istari - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Leto · 06-12-2002, 03:46 PM

What might the significance be of the number of Istari? Was it simply an arbitrary number assigned to the number of that order? Where was the first mention of there being five wizards? (was it in the Hobbit, or LOTR?) (I don't have the books here with me.)

What was the purpose of including two wizards in the notes (Unfinished Tales), that have no mention or purpose in any of the stories?
In other words...why do you think there needed to be five?

I noticed that all the 'powers' are odd numbers...three rings for Elven Kings, Seven for Dwarf Lords, nine for mortal men, One for the Dark Lord...he skipped five. Five Istari. Is there some numeroglogy involved here? Why would he arbitraily apply these numbers to the most important factors of his world, the 'powers'...perhaps just because they are nice, round numbers? I doubt it...anyone have any ideas?

06-12-2002, 03:46 PM	#1
Leto Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arrakis Posts: 16	5 Istari What might the significance be of the number of Istari? Was it simply an arbitrary number assigned to the number of that order? Where was the first mention of there being five wizards? (was it in the Hobbit, or LOTR?) (I don't have the books here with me.) What was the purpose of including two wizards in the notes (Unfinished Tales), that have no mention or purpose in any of the stories? In other words...why do you think there needed to be five? I noticed that all the 'powers' are odd numbers...three rings for Elven Kings, Seven for Dwarf Lords, nine for mortal men, One for the Dark Lord...he skipped five. Five Istari. Is there some numeroglogy involved here? Why would he arbitraily apply these numbers to the most important factors of his world, the 'powers'...perhaps just because they are nice, round numbers? I doubt it...anyone have any ideas?