Interestingly Enough, ‘The Rings of Power’ Explains Why There Are 19 Rings Better than Tolkien Himself

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As a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, I must admit that my initial skepticism towards “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” on Amazon was palpable. However, I have to say, the second season has truly won me over. It’s not just about the action-packed battles and the stunning visuals (though they certainly don’t hurt), but it’s also about the thoughtful exploration of Tolkien’s lore, which is what drew us all in the first place.

In spite of widespread fan backlash and criticism, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power turned out to be a triumphant series on Amazon. As previously noted in several of our reports, the program was renewed for a second season, which premiered on August 29, 2024, receiving positive feedback from both fans and critics alike. The upcoming events will undoubtedly be intriguing, particularly in light of the showrunners’ recent significant revelations.

As a dedicated gamer immersed in this captivating world, I’ve noticed some intense debates online about the series we’re both hooked on. While it’s true that the second installment is often lauded for its lore authenticity compared to the first, the question of how it aligns with Tolkien’s original lore has been a hot topic since day one.

As the storyline continues to advance and introduce fresh narratives alongside creative reinterpretations of established tales, some twists are easier to grasp than others. Notably, a recent exposition within the series regarding the Rings themselves seems clearer and more plausible compared to J.R.R. Tolkien’s original account in the source material.

In the story, you’re familiar with, there are 20 Rings of Power in total. Nine for humans, seven for dwarves, three for elves, and one to rule them all. If we ignore that final ring, it leaves us with 19 rings, which might seem rather arbitrary. Granted, this wouldn’t be a problem on its own, but considering J.R.R. Tolkien was known for his meticulous approach to world-building and storytelling, the arbitrariness of this number seems unexpected for him. However, he still chose to go with it.

In the original tales, the books didn’t thoroughly clarify why there were nineteen rings in total. The Dwarven rings are understandable, considering they had seven kings, but what about the Human and Elven rings? One might expect more than nine Human monarchs across Middle-earth, and it seems peculiar that the supposedly superior Elves only received three. Tolkien didn’t offer an explanation for this, leaving a longstanding enigma. However, The Rings of Power has recently offered a solution to this puzzle, one that appears much more plausible than the gap left by Tolkien.

During the creation of the Dwarven rings, their numbers were given an explanation. The story behind the seven rings for the Dwarves stayed consistent, maintaining lore accuracy. However, let’s discuss the three Elven and nine Human rings. Interestingly, the series derives its explanation for these numbers from the concept of perfection associated with the number three, which is a symbol of great significance in many mythologies and cultures. J.R.R. Tolkien himself drew inspiration for his lore using this idea.

Indeed, the Elven rings number only three, reflecting the symbolic perfection of the number three. Conversely, the Human rings are nine in total, derived from the power of three. This intricate pattern, which aligns beautifully with Tolkien’s meticulous world-building, is a testament to the creativity and attention to detail exhibited by the writers. Bravo!

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2024-09-15 18:13