Ithildin from “Rings of Power” Was Also in “The Lord of the Rings” Movies

Speak, friend, and enter … but only after watching the first three episodes of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” season 2. Major spoilers abound.

“The Rings of Power” is officially back and better than ever, bringing with it all the usual references to J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore. Much of this lore made its way to the big screen in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. In no time at all, everyone knew about the various rings of power, the differences between Hobbits, elves, and dwarves, and many other details that once were niche.

The premiere of the series throws numerous high-fantasy concepts at viewers, with the second episode introducing “ithildin.” Celebrimbor, played by Charles Edwards, creates this invisible substance that glows in the moonlight. Observant fans will recognize ithildin from its earlier appearance in the franchise.

“The Rings of Power” provides origins for many concepts from the Peter Jackson movies, even though it exists in a separate continuity due to copyright issues. For example, season 1 explained mithril, the dwarven ore that shapes the destiny of Khazad-dûm (later the Mines of Moria). Ithildin is introduced similarly, with Celebrimbor working in Eregion with an assistant named Mirdania, played by Amelia Kenworthy. The ithildin is refined from mithril ore and requires moonlight and starlight to reveal its secrets.

Fans who have seen “The Fellowship of the Ring” know that ithildin will later be used on the “Doors of Durin,” an entryway into the Mines of Moria. One day, the Fellowship will need to find their way into the same halls where Elrond and Prince Durin once walked.

Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay took artistic license with “The Rings of Power,” but they clearly did their homework on Tolkien’s writings. Celebrimbor’s ithildin is straight from Tolkien’s drawings of the Doors of Durin, described halfway through “The Fellowship of the Ring” in the chapter titled “A Journey in the Dark.” This artwork, featuring an arched gateway with “the emblems of Durin” and “the Tree of the High Elves,” is intricately designed, reflecting Tolkien’s notes.

“They are wrought of ithildin that mirrors only starlight and moonlight, and sleeps until it is touched by one who speaks words now long forgotten in Middle-earth.”

Peter Jackson’s “The Fellowship of the Ring” adapted this scene faithfully. In the novel, Gandalf also mentions the elvish writing that indicates: “The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.” The same Celebrimbor from “The Rings of Power” is mentioned, with dwarven craftsman Narvi, played by Kevin Eldon, also appearing in season 2. Viewers will have to wait and see if future episodes showcase these great doors built into the mountain home of Khazad-dûm.

New episodes of “The Rings of Power” stream on Prime Video every Thursday.