Gandalf

The staff-wielding guide who kindles fire in wanhope and leads from the front.

Gandalf, originally named Olórin in Valinor, is a protagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. As one of the Istari order sent by Manwë to counter Sauron, he arrived in Middle-earth as Gandalf the Grey, appearing as an aged man leaning on a staff. Though considered the least tall among wizards, Círdan the Shipwright recognized him as the greatest spirit and gifted him Narya, the Ring of Fire. His mission was never to match Sauron's strength with force, but to advise and encourage the Free Peoples. After his death fighting a Balrog in Moria, he returned as Gandalf the White, leading the Fellowship and guiding the final victory before departing for Valinor.

Quick Facts

Series

Middle-earth

First

The Hobbit (1937)

Last

Unfinished Tales (1980)

Also known as

See Names

Race

Maia

Affiliation

Company of the Ring

Weapon

Glamdring
Wizard's staff
Narya

Lore & Background

In his youth in the West, Olórin was the wisest of the Maiar, living in the gardens of Irmo and receiving tutelage from Nienna. Sent to Middle-earth as a humble old man, he hid Narya well, though Saruman resented the gift. Gandalf suspected early that the Necromancer of Dol Guldur was Sauron; he visited at great peril to confirm this truth. When the White Council formed, Gandalf urged driving Sauron out, but Saruman delayed, claiming the One Ring had washed into the Sea. Years later, Gandalf revealed to the Council of Elrond that Bilbo's ring was indeed the One Ring. He led the Fellowship south through the Misty Mountains until he fell fighting a Balrog in Moria. Sent back from death, he returned as Gandalf the White, reappearing to three members of the broken Fellowship to counter enemies in Rohan and Gondor.

Reader's Guide

Gandalf operates primarily by encouraging and persuading rather than using his great power directly. Associated with fire through Narya, he delights in fireworks to entertain hobbits but uses fire as a weapon in times of great need. His physical body can be killed, yet his spirit is immortal. He is known by many names: Mithrandir among Elves meaning 'Grey Pilgrim', Tharkûn to Dwarves, and Olórin from his youth. In the North, he was called Gandalf the Grey or Greyhame, and later the White Rider after his return. Characters sometimes insulted him with nicknames like Stormcrow or Láthspell ('Ill-news'). Scholars have likened him to the Norse god Odin in his 'Wanderer' guise, a guide-figure comparable to Virgil in Dante's Inferno, and described his return in white as analogous to the transfiguration of Christ.

Did You Know?

The name Gandalf comes from a dwarf named Gandálfr in the Old Norse Völuspá's Dvergatal, meaning 'staff-elf'.
Gandalf was initially too weak to accept Manwë's proposal to go to Middle-earth until told that his fear was exactly why he should go.
In an early draft of The Hobbit, the character Gandalf was named Bladorthin, while the dwarf Thorin Oakenshield was originally named Gandalf.
Ian McKellen based his acclaimed film performance on J. R. R. Tolkien himself.