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• Gandalf is a fictional character from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. He is a wizard who was sent to Middle-earth as part of a council developed to locate and fight against the villain Sauron.

• Fast Facts

  1. Created by: J.R.R. Tolkien
  2. First appearance: The Hobbit
  3. Race: Istari
  4. Portrayed by Ian McKellen in the film series
  5. Alternately known as: Mithrandir, Olórin, The Grey Pilgrim, Stormcrow, Greybeard, Gandalf Greyhame, The White Rider, Gandalf the Grey, Gandalf the White (a second incarnation)

• The Istari

  Gandalf is one of five Istari, wizards who aid the peoples of Middle-earth sent by a race of demigods called the Maiar. Though there are five, only 2, Gandalf and Saruman, ever appear in theLord of the Rings films. A third Radagast, makes a brief appearance in the books. The other two, Alatar and Pallando, do not appear in the books or in the films, having ventured into the eastern lands and never returned. Though they bear a human appearance, they are far more. As Maia people, they possess great powers and immortality. Gandalf, however, proves to be the most important in the struggle against the evil Sauron who is himself descended from the Maia.

• Allusions to Christ

  Though J.R.R Tolkien certainly never endorsed the theory, many believe Gandalf is a Christ-figure, noting various parallels to Jesus of Nazareth. Gandalf died protecting the Fellowship of the Ring from a Balrog, a demon who dwells in the mines of Moria. After that, he was resurrected, assuming the name Gandalf the White and shedding his old gray cloak for a white garb. This is often compared to the sacrifice of Jesus, who died to save humanity from its original sin and was resurrected three days later according to the Christian Bible.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  The Lord of the Rings | J.R.R. Tolkien | Frodo Baggins | Bilbo Baggins | Aragorn | Samwise Gamgee | Meriadoc Brandybuck | Peregrin Took | Gollum | Galadriel | Fantasy | The Hobbit | Ian McKellen | Elijah Wood

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