Moon-letters: Difference between revisions

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'''Moon-letters''' were a system of writing invented by [[Dwarves]]. Moon-letters were ordinary [[Runes]], but written in such a way that they could only be read when the light of the moon shone behind the writing. Some moon-letters could be read by any moonlight, but it was possible to make the writing even more secret. More sophisticated moon-letters could only be read by the same shape of moon, or at the same time of year, as when they were written.  
'''Moon-letters''' were a system of writing invented by [[Dwarves]]. Moon-letters were ordinary [[Runes]], but written in such a way that they could only be read when the light of the moon shone behind the writing. Some moon-letters could be read by any moonlight, but it was possible to make the writing even more secret. More sophisticated moon-letters could only be read by the same shape of moon, or at the same time of year, as when they were written.  


Moon-letters were written with silver pens. The substance [[Ithildin]], made from [[Mithril]], reflected only starlight and moonlight, and it seems likely that ithildin, or something very similar, was used by the Dwarves to write their moon-letters.
Moon-letters were written with silver pens. The substance [[Ithildin]], made from [[Mithril]], reflected only starlight and moonlight, and it seems likely that ithildin, or something very similar, was used by the Dwarves to write their moon-letters.


An example of these moon-letters would be on the map that [[Gandalf]] gave [[Thorin]] of the [[Lonely Mountain]] and surrounding areas. The moon letters were the more cunning type mentioned above, and they were written on a midsummers eve in a crescent moon. They said:
An example of these moon-letters would be on the map that [[Gandalf]] gave [[Thorin Oakenshield]] of the [[Lonely Mountain]] and surrounding areas. The moon letters were the more cunning type mentioned above, and they were written on a midsummers eve in a crescent moon. They said:
:"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of durin's day will shine upon the key-hole"
:"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of [[Durin's Day]] will shine upon the key-hole"


[[Category:Languages]]
[[Category:Lettering]]

Revision as of 19:41, 29 November 2008

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
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Moon-letters were a system of writing invented by Dwarves. Moon-letters were ordinary Runes, but written in such a way that they could only be read when the light of the moon shone behind the writing. Some moon-letters could be read by any moonlight, but it was possible to make the writing even more secret. More sophisticated moon-letters could only be read by the same shape of moon, or at the same time of year, as when they were written.

Moon-letters were written with silver pens. The substance Ithildin, made from Mithril, reflected only starlight and moonlight, and it seems likely that ithildin, or something very similar, was used by the Dwarves to write their moon-letters.

An example of these moon-letters would be on the map that Gandalf gave Thorin Oakenshield of the Lonely Mountain and surrounding areas. The moon letters were the more cunning type mentioned above, and they were written on a midsummers eve in a crescent moon. They said:

"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole"