Moths: Difference between revisions

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'''Moths''' were nocturnal insects of a kind closely related to [[Butterflies|butterflies]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] found them fluttering at nightfall on his first visit to [[Rivendell]].<ref>{{H|3}}</ref> Curiously, they are also mentioned as dwelling in [[Mirkwood]], where the moths were black or dark grey, and grew to a huge size.<ref name=H8>{{H|8}}</ref>
'''Moths''' were nocturnal insects of a kind closely related to [[Butterflies|butterflies]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] found them fluttering at nightfall on his first visit to [[Rivendell]].<ref>{{H|3}}</ref> Curiously, they are also mentioned as dwelling in [[Mirkwood]], where the moths were black or dark grey, and grew to a huge size.<ref name=H8>{{H|8}}</ref>


==Names==
==Other names==


In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "moth" is ''fufril''.<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 36</ref>
In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "moth" is ''fufril''.<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 36</ref>

Revision as of 15:30, 31 December 2020

Simona Brunilde Jero - Luthien Tinuviel
"...thousands of dark-grey and black moths, some nearly as big as your hand"
[1]

Moths were nocturnal insects of a kind closely related to butterflies. Bilbo Baggins found them fluttering at nightfall on his first visit to Rivendell.[2] Curiously, they are also mentioned as dwelling in Mirkwood, where the moths were black or dark grey, and grew to a huge size.[1]

Other names

In Gnomish, one of Tolkien's early conceptions of an Elven language, the word for "moth" is fufril.[3]

Other versions of the legendarium

In The Tale of Tinúviel, white moths flittered about the head of the dancing Tinúviel, as the evening fell. It is told that Tinúviel "being a fairy minded them not as many of the children of Men do, although she loved not beetles, and spiders will none of the Eldar touch because of Ungweliantë".[4]

Portrayal in adaptations

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

In Peter Jackson's movies, moths are somehow associated with the Eagles; while Gandalf is trapped on the summit of Orthanc, he catches a moth and whispers to it. Later, when confronted by Saruman, the moth reappears; an Eagle (supposedly Gwaihir) arrives and Gandalf escapes on its back.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Right before the Battle of the Morannon, Gandalf notices a moth flies near him. Then the Eagles appear and help the Free Peoples.

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

As Thorin and Company are trapped in a falling tree by the band of Azog and their Wargs, Gandalf uses a moth to summon the Eagles to their aid.

External links

References