The carvings on Anduril as declarations of war

Darren Grey

Active Member
In session 206 the carvings on Anduril (sun, moon, seven stars) were discussed as symbolic of Gondor restored. But it wasn't discussed as to why these are symbols of Gondor in the first place? Could the carvings be less directly about Gondor, and more about the underlying Numenorean symbology behind these icons? Is there some wider mythic significance to why Minas Anor and Minas Ithil were named so, with Osgiliath inbetween, and the sword is referencing this same iconography?

The main thing that leaps to mind is from Corey's statement of the Valacirca. This was raised by Varda explicitly as a challenge to Melkor. And were not the Sun and Moon also raised in part as a challenge to Melkor? "And they resolved now to illuminate Middle-Earth and with light to hinder the deeds of Melkor." Combining the Sun and Moon with the Valacirca is thus a combination of all the celestial symbols set openly in opposition to the Enemy. To put all these on a weapon is a potent symbol of defying the darkness.

This puts a new spin on the latter half of the sentence "for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor". Instead of this simply being Findegil's florid verse, it serves as a direct explanation for the carvings in the first half of the sentence. The blade was traced with these symbols as a declaration of war.

Going back to the Numenorean symbology I do have to wonder about the stars betwixt the sun and moon. It seems in a way to describe the whole of the heavens - the sun on one side of Arda, the moon on the other, and the dome of stars inbetween. Could it be that these are intended as symbols of how the Valar, through these icons, have lordship over all of Arda? Is it intended as a representation of faith from the faithful survivors?
 
Back
Top