Entity: PALANTIR
A palantír is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy legendarium, specifically featured in The Lord of the Rings. It is an indestructible crystal ball used for communication and far-sighted vision.
PALANTIR
Etymology
The word 'palantír' originates from Quenya, with 'palan' meaning 'far' and 'tir' meaning 'watch over'. It translates to 'far-sighted' or 'one that sees from afar'.
Definition
A palantír is an indestructible crystal ball from J. R. R. Tolkien's epic-fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. Used for communication and far-sighted vision, it is a powerful magical artifact.
Historical Context
In Tolkien's legendarium, the palantíri were created by the Noldorin Elves in Aman and were used by various characters, including Saruman and Denethor, to communicate and observe events in Middle-earth.
Cultural Significance
The palantír symbolizes knowledge, communication, and the dangers of pride and misuse of power. It serves as a tool for characters to gain insight into distant events but also highlights the risks of being deceived by what they see.
Related Concepts
The concept of a far-seeing crystal ball or magical artifact is common in fantasy literature and mythology, with parallels in other works such as the Mirror of Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings and the crystal ball in traditional folklore.
See Also
A mystical and powerful crystal ball in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, used for communication and seeing events in distant places.