As a dedicated fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” I have spent countless hours immersed in Middle-earth’s rich lore and intricate details. One peculiarity that has always fascinated me is the presence of facial hair among the Elves, specifically Círdan’s impressive beard.
The topic of Middle-earth facial hair comes up a lot. Fans had a problem with the dwarf princess on “The Rings of Power” not having a canonical beard. Aragorn was different in “The Lord of the Rings” movies, partly because he did have a non-canonical beard. And then, there’s Círdan. The aged Elf shows up briefly in “The Lord of the Rings” books and movies. While he has a fascinating backstory, one feature stands out above everything else: he has a beard — a rare feature for the immortal folk. In fact, no other Elf in “The Lord of the Rings” is described with facial hair of any kind.
Despite the fact that “The Return of the King” book emphasizes Círdan’s long, grey beard and old appearance amidst the race of Middle-earth beings known for their eternal youth and smooth features, it is intriguing why he looks so aged.
Just like J.R.R. Tolkien’s intriguing details, the explanation isn’t straightforward regarding Elvish beards. Dwarven women’s beards mirror the professor’s indecision on this topic. However, by piecing together clues, we can understand why Círdan has a long beard while other elves do not.
Why don’t other Elves have beards?
In “The Nature of Middle-earth” by J.R.R. Tolkien, it is clearly mentioned that Elves do not grow beards. This is a recurring theme in his works. When Elves and Humans intermarry, their male offspring usually inherit this beardless trait, as seen in Aragorn’s absence of facial hair.
Although Círdan, an ancient Elf in Middle-earth, has beards, this aspect of his character has an explanation. Tolkien clarified in the academic journal “Vinyar Tengwar” issue 41 that Elves did not grow beards until their third phase of life. This detail is a part of Tolkien’s intricate, conflicting, and incomplete thoughts on Elvish aging and life cycles. Essentially, Círdan is one of Middle-earth’s oldest Elves, surpassing the age of 11,000 years by the time he accompanies Frodo and Bilbo to the Undying Lands in the West, a few hundred years after “The Lord of the Rings.”
As a dedicated gamer immersed in J.R.R. Tolkien’s magnificent world, I can share an intriguing perspective based on his literary works. In Tolkien’s lore, as I approach the later stages of my third life cycle, I may finally be granted the privilege to grow a beard – a luxury not many Elven beings can enjoy due to their extended lifespans.
Who is Círdan in The Lord of the Rings?
Círdan plays a pivotal role in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works with his wise and steadfast presence at the periphery of stories. He intermittently influences the narrative for thousands of years through various means. In “The Return of the King,” his value as an experienced guide is emphasized, stating, “Círdan had greater foresight and deeper understanding than any other being in Middle-earth.”
Círdan intervenes and protects Gil-galad, the Elven king portrayed by Benjamin Walker in “The Rings of Power,” during his youth. He extends a warm reception to the arrival of the Wizards in Middle-earth and bestows upon Gandalf the Elven Ring, known as Narya or the Ring of Fire, to aid him in his tasks. A rare few can withstand Sauron’s presence head-on during the War of the Last Alliance (as shown at the beginning of “Fellowship of the Ring” movie). In his later years, Círdan dedicates himself to guiding his coastal people in transporting the immortals across oceans to the Undying Lands in the West.
In the upcoming second season of “The Rings of Power” on Amazon Prime, you’ll have the opportunity to witness a fuller portrayal of Círdan, played by Ben Daniels. Although Michael Elsworth gave us a brief introduction to the character at the conclusion of Peter Jackson’s trilogy, Daniels’ depiction in this new series will likely expand upon his role and include more action, complete with a silvery-gray beard.
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2024-07-20 15:30