Aragorn made an Elvish sign of the cross?!? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

eothain of fenland · 03-08-2009, 08:23 PM

In the first movie, the fellowship of the ring, when boromir dies aragorn seems to make a fist, touch his forehead, and touck his mouth. Is this some kind of religion that tolkien made up or did aragorn just do this to show respect?

Mithalwen · 03-09-2009, 12:55 PM

It wasn' t a sign of a cross as used by Catholics and High Church Anglicans an d I think it was an invention of the filmamkers rather than Tolkien. I think Aragorn made a similar gesture in Lorien. It is a while since I saw the films, but I think it was clearly intended to be a sign of respect but I thought he touched his chest and brow and so took it to signify the person was in his heart and mind.

The visuals were possibly the most satisfactory aspect of the films and I have to say if it was a creation it was more appropriate to do so than impose modern western conventions. Better scholars than me may be able to tell you that this was in fact some ancient celtic custom or something but whatever the gesture is, it aint the sign of the cross though it was used in a situation in which that sign is used in parts of our culture (as a mark of respect to a corpse).

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 03-09-2009, 12:57 PM

My guess is that Mortensen and Jackson thought it would be neat. The book has Aragorn kissing Boromir's brow and clasping his hand. No religion in it. Tolkien doesn't do religion.

eothain of fenland · 03-09-2009, 09:07 PM

k thanks, just curious

sassyfriend · 09-01-2011, 08:23 PM

Its a sign of respect

03-08-2009, 08:23 PM	#1
eothain of fenland Pile O'Bones Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11	Aragorn made an Elvish sign of the cross?!? In the first movie, the fellowship of the ring, when boromir dies aragorn seems to make a fist, touch his forehead, and touck his mouth. Is this some kind of religion that tolkien made up or did aragorn just do this to show respect? Last edited by eothain of fenland; 03-08-2009 at 10:31 PM.

03-09-2009, 12:55 PM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	It wasn' t a sign of a cross as used by Catholics and High Church Anglicans an d I think it was an invention of the filmamkers rather than Tolkien. I think Aragorn made a similar gesture in Lorien. It is a while since I saw the films, but I think it was clearly intended to be a sign of respect but I thought he touched his chest and brow and so took it to signify the person was in his heart and mind. The visuals were possibly the most satisfactory aspect of the films and I have to say if it was a creation it was more appropriate to do so than impose modern western conventions. Better scholars than me may be able to tell you that this was in fact some ancient celtic custom or something but whatever the gesture is, it aint the sign of the cross though it was used in a situation in which that sign is used in parts of our culture (as a mark of respect to a corpse). __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

03-09-2009, 12:57 PM	#3
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	My guess is that Mortensen and Jackson thought it would be neat. The book has Aragorn kissing Boromir's brow and clasping his hand. No religion in it. Tolkien doesn't do religion. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

03-09-2009, 09:07 PM	#4
eothain of fenland Pile O'Bones Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11	k thanks, just curious

09-01-2011, 08:23 PM	#5
sassyfriend Wight Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 165	Its a sign of respect