LeeX

Given the importance attached to the film that recreates the first part of the trilogy written by JRR English man of letters Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings), I thought it would be curious to find similarities between the ancient mythologies of the world as the Norse, Greek, Celtic, Germanic, Roman, etc.., And the mythology created by Tolkien. What is the reason to choose a ring to symbolize the power? Is it really a mythological symbol? Did Tolkien recreates some mythology known?

This work is not about Tolkien’s work, much less on the film of Peter Jackson. As an overview of popular myths and epic legends interesting features of the story will understand also cultivating our imagination. This is an investigation of other cultures to find a common symbol: the ring.

The Ring

In many cultures, we noticed the presence of a mystical entity, a really important symbol in mythology or religion, an essential element for the “magic” of tradition. Somehow, metaphysical legends are present in the real world. Some cultures have chosen to worship animals (cows in India), other foods (the host in Christianity), others simply use objects that represent their gods (like Greek statues, pictures of churches, or the idols of Indian tribes).

Man has tried by all means, carry out the power they have their imaginary gods. Hence the creation of magic, and as a branch from it, science. But the wise men was not enough to make an appearance and say a few magic words to make spells and heal the sick. They also had to carry a magic item will give it this virtue of this art. We talked about the ring.

But the ring not only brings wisdom to the wise men, also has connotations of wealth, sovereignty and majesty. In reaching this conclusion I have been collecting stories of cultures, legends and ultimately most famous myths in the history of man, I dare I say it is the most beautiful.

Celtic Myths and Saxons.

Celtic myths are full of fantasy and imagination. Usually they talk about fairy rings and magical elements. Here’s why our interest. In “The Red Book of Hergest” includes numerous stories of magical Rings: The maiden Lunet, gives a ring of invisibility Owein hero, the Lady Lyonesse gives his hero, Gareth, a magic ring to prevent harm him ; Peredur long spear, while looking for a magic ring, kill the Black Serpent Mound and earn a stone of invisibility and another that produces gold …

These rings are symbols of wealth or power. Just bring magical qualities, reward for a quest or significant achievement.

Greek and Roman Myths

In all these myths are stories of people with supernatural powers mixes produced by rings or symbolized wealth and fame by it. Ancient Greece brings us an innovative myth: the forging of the first ring.

The story of the first ring is attached to the story of the arrival of the gods and the creation of man.

The Titans were the first race to rule the world. They were the children of Gaia, Mother Earth. Were as high as the hills, and wise and strong at once. They also possessed magical powers with which they obtained wealth and prosperity. One of the wisest, received the gift of prophecy, called Prometheus (= Provident). He predicted that the cunning and trickery of the gods, the inferior race, would make them able to beat the Titans. When there was war between gods and titans, nearly consumed the world. Prometheus did not take part in the war, and although he grieved the passing of his people, he waited another distant destination: live with the gods, an assortment of wisdom and knowledge. He devoted himself also to the forging of metals and the use of fire. He chose as a disciple of Hephaestus, son of Zeus, and taught him everything he knew.

Prometheus also was the one who created humans from mud and I breathed the breath of life. It was also he who gave men the gift of fire.

We already know the result of this daring tale, whose end was the conviction of Titan, by Zeus, on a mountain where an eagle came every day and ate a resurgent liver.

Among the gods and men born very strong ties, and offspring born of this union very honorable. The most powerful of these was Heracles. This, he freed Prometheus from his bonds in the mountains. Then Zeus said he would keep his word when he said he would keep him chained up, but at the same time let him free, grabbed a link in the chain of Prometheus and joined a rock mountain. Then he took the hand of Titan and around the finger closed the link. So his promise to let him go, but keep it chained. This is the story of the birth of the first ring. It is said that after the men produced in honor of Prometheus rings, symbolizing the use of metallurgy, the commitment and thank them for having created and all knowledge.

The ring is a sign of the blacksmith who is master of fire and magician who is master of life. And those who are kings of men wear the ring as a sign that descended from Prometheus and the Titans who once ruled the earth. Interestingly, Prometheus, the father of the man, who gives the fire and is the lord of the blacksmiths, wrought iron is one of the mountains of the Caucasus: the same place where it was discovered the secret of smelting. In this fact, is the connection between reality and myth, which is nothing else than the explanation by fables (whose characters are admired and imitated by men) of reality.

Biblical legends

In biblical times, all the kingdoms and nations had agreed to a long tradition of the ring as a symbol of authority of the monarch. The ring of the king not only marked him as monarch, but that could be said that the ring itself had power. Often, during the king’s absence, could use a seal ring or as an extension of the ruler’s authority.

These rings have many forms of authority. They were usually rings with an engraving or a symbol and name of the Lord, and a stone seal, crystal, amber or even gems that could print the mark of ink or king on wax or clay. The most common equivalent signature.

The Pharaoh of Egypt had a large ebony ring set in gold beetle. The beetle was placed on a rotating bezel and when he revealed he turned the hieroglyph: the Great Seal of the Pharaoh. Owning the ring meant to be master of Egypt, because the seal was the word of Pharaoh, and that was sacred law.

In the Bible, tells the story of Joseph, who after being sold by his brothers, occupied a position of director by the current king of Egypt, who gave him his ring, making him ruler and lord. That showed his full confidence in the word of Joseph.

Moreover, Moses was often associated with the use of magic rings.

But the legend associated with the ring is better known Judeo-Christian legend of King Solomon. He was a powerful king, a wise man and also the most powerful wizard of the time. These powers were explained by the possession of a ring that corrupts anyone who wears it. The archangel Michael was the one who endowed him with such a treasure. And he said it would be able to subdue all the demons of the earth, and with your help, build Jerusalem. With the ring would be able to learn the language of birds, animals and fish, and nothing on earth will be hidden. This ring is believed, was kept in the Holy Sanctuary, in the Ark of the Covenant.