are wizards men? or something else?

[noor]

Reading through all of these philosophical posts, a question came to my mind: what race are wizards? I always pictured them as men but with, I don't know, magic powers. But maybe they're their own race? Has anyone else given this any thought?

[Mr. Underhill]

Wizards are Maia sent to Middle-Earth by the Valar early in the Third Age when it became apparent that Sauron was again taking shape. They were to rally the free peoples and aid in their defense against him. They are also known as the Istari. They are discussed in the Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales (and probably other books as well) if you'd like to know more.

[Beorn]

*Mike dons educated voice, not unlike that of Thorin*

The five Wizards in Middle-eart were called Istari. Their names were Gandalf, Radagast, Saruman, Pallando, and Ni!....Well not really...I'm not sure what the last guy's name is....

Anyway, the Istari were five Maiar sent by the Valar to help stir up rebellion against Sauron.


EDIT: The fifth guy's name was Alatar

[Rosie Cotton]

Welcome to the forum noor! Mr. U pretty much covered it all.... but since you probably haven't read The Silmarillion (sorry if you have, I'm just guessing from your question that you haven't) you're probably quite confused by the Tolkien vocab in there. The valar are like gods, who were created by Eru Illuvatar (I guess that you could say he's the god of the gods, the ultimate creator). The maia (including the wizards, the balrog, and Sauron) are like angels. They can take any form when on Arda (Earth). The Istari (wizards) have the form of old men. I might be a little off in my info there (I've only read The Silmarillion once), if I am, please don't hesitate to correct me. Anyway I hope that helped the other explenation make a little more sense to you!

[Lantarion]

Welcome, Noor!
Well, they seem to have covered the answer pretty well! But I understand that Tolkien's point of view on 'wizards' is different from other fantasy writers: in most stories Wizards are wise, both young and old men, who practice differing volumes of magic. In LotR, The Wizards are the Istari, the five demi-gods (Maiar) sent to sort M-e out. This is a bit confusing, but a good idea.

[noor]

Thanks everyone for clearing this up for me. I guess rather than read LOTR for the fifteenth time over my winter break, I'd better read the Silmarillion. Or maybe I'll read the Silmarillion, and then THEN read LOTR again...

[Grond]

And once again, Grond wades in.... The Istari are indeed Maiar who are of the Ainur; however!!! they were housed in a man's body. They could be killed (aka Gandalf) but sent back. You see, the Vala and Maia are spirits. Much as Melian housed herself in a beautiful elfin form (yes I know is should be elven but elfin looks so much better) the Istari vessel in our world was that of a man. I will get my book out and give you the descriptions.

By the way, at this stage in this thread, I am posting an opinion. I don't know this necessarily from JRRT's writings...... yet! I will be looking it up tonight and will give further info.

[Tuor]

Eru(Iluvatar) is God. capitol G, one God. The Valar are Arch-Angels, the Maiar are lesser Angels.

Eru(Iluvatar) is God. capitol G, one God. The Valar are Arch-Angels, the Maiar are lesser Angels. I know this because in the Silmarilion it says that the Valar were "often called gods". that Tolkien specifically stated that thay were "called gods" would seem to imply that they were not.

[Tar-Steve]

I personally don't think of the Valar or the Maiar as "angels" of any kind. Referring to them as angels seems to be the standard analogy for describing these spirits to people familiar with Christian concepts. Similarly, Eru is The One. Analogous to G-d.

(edited to change Vala and Maia to Valar and Maiar, having previously used singulars incorrectly)

[Walter]

Of course analogies - like Tuor just did - can be drawn. But I think that was neither Tolkiens intention nor does it really make things in Tolkiens books easier to understand. Nonetheless it can be of help when someone new to mythology and creation myths - like it could well be for a 14 year old - reads this for the first time.

And - welcome to this forum, Tuor

[Talierin]

I personally believe that the Valar are a mix of Norse/Greek gods and Catholic saints. The Elves call on them like a Catholic person would to their patron saint, but are never worshipped. You can't deny the similarities to the Norse/Greek gods though.