Wizards

2007-06-13T10:43:11Z

195.251.253.108:

{{quote|Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.|[[Gildor Inglorion]], "[[Three is Company]]", ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''}}

== Introduction ==
[[Image:Enis Cisic - Gandalf and Frodo.jpg|thumb|''Gandalf and Frodo'' by [[Enis Cisic]].]]
The '''Wizards''' of [[Middle-earth]] are a small group of beings outwardly resembling [[Men]] but possessing much greater physical and mental power. They are also called the '''[[Istari]]''' ("Wise Ones") by the [[Elves]]. The [[Sindarin]] word is '''Ithryn''' (singular '''Ithron''').

They were of the [[Maiar]], spirits of the same order of the [[Valar]], but lesser in power ([[Sauron]] himself was one of the most powerful of the Maiar), sent by the Valar to help and assist the peoples against Sauron. Their [[Quenya]] names were [[Curumo]], meaning "Skilled One"; [[Olórin]], meaning "Rememberer", "Dreamer", or "Thinker"; [[Aiwendil]], meaning "Bird-friend"; [[Pallando]] and [[Alatar]].

They came to Middle-earth roughly around the year 1000 of the [[Third Age]]. It seems that each was assigned with a colour for his clothes, white being indicative of the chief. Two of them were blue. It is not known if the colour had a special meaning concerning their rank, abilities or nature.

The wizards already appeared old when they entered Middle-earth. They were deliberately "clothed" in the bodies of old Men, as the Valar wished them to help the inhabitants of Middle-earth by persuasion and encouragement, not by force or fear. However, they aged very slowly and were in fact immortal. Thus, they were, physically speaking, "real" Men, and felt all the urges, pleasures and fears of flesh and blood. While in this form, although immortals by age, their physical form could be by violence

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Wizards