Secret Fire

The Secret Fire is a mysterious power. It is the same as the Flame Imperishable and probably also the Flame of Anor.

The Secret Fire, seems to refer to that aspect of Eru Ilúvatar which is his Power of Creation. It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning, and later Ilúvatar set it (or an aspect of it) at the centre of Arda.

"Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä."

― Valaquenta, the Silmarillion

The Secret Fire is also described as being part of all feä: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought.

Gandalf the Grey referred to both the Secret Fire and the Flame of Anor at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm:

"You cannot pass, I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass."

― The Fellowship of the Ring, The Bridge of Khazad-dûm

Inspiration

This is an alternate name of the Holy Spirit in Tolkien's mythos, like Eru is the name of God. In Tolkien and The Silmarillion, Clyde S. Kilby refers to a discussion he had with Tolkien: "Professor Tolkien talked to me at some length about the use of the word 'holy' in The Silmarillion. Very specifically he told me that the 'Secret Fire sent to burn at the heart of the World' in the beginning was the Holy Spirit." (p. 59)

See also

• Fëa and hröa