Mental picture of the balrogs?

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When I first read about them I always though of the pink deamons from Doom, that had hug mouths and two legs. How about the rest of you?

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[galpsi]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I thought of them as being conventionally demonic forms like those, for example, in Luca Signorelli's Last Judgement.

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[bmilder]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

Very large... kind of greyish-blue. The face is almost like a hippopotamus, but with sharp teeth. Oh, and huge wings <img src=tongue.gif ALT=":b">

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[Gwaihir the Windlord]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/wight.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I have always pictured a Balrog as being a dark spirit with a very large head (like an owl), veiled in shadow. Two arms and legs, bulging with muscles, a hairy back and huge bat-like wings. His oily, straight black hair is combed back from his face. <img src=devil.gif ALT=":evil">

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[burrahobbit]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/wight.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

Third and fourth pictures. http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Stat...ason3/314.htmlwww.geocities.com/Area51/...3/314.html</a>

What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?</p>

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Wow

COOl

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I am not so sure that I saw them as Pink demons. Ok now bare with me here i am going to go into detail.
When I was readin about the Balrogs I pictured them in my head as these dark blackish creatures with huge wings and fire in the middle of their eyes. They had claws of steel on hand and foot and could shred anything that got in its way. It had 2 huge teeth jutting out of each side of the mouth with curves at the end. The Balrog had a boney back. you could see the vertebrae and it ended in an awesome tail that writhed and twisted with evey movement. The Balrog was a magnifacent creature with massive muscles used for running down any foe and completely demolishing it. These creatures were defantely something that your Mother didn't want you to play with. So there you go. Lemme know what you think.


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[noldo]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/nenya.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

Giant, black creatures with huge bat-wings, horns and whips of fire.

<HR>"Their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them, and ever snatch away the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue."

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[Grand Admiral Reese]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/onering.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I picture Balrogs like a creature from an episode of Babylon 5. It was large and devil-looking. The only thing that throws the comparison off is the fact that that creature was invisible. But when it was partly visible, it was how I picture Balrogs.


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[Taimar]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/onering.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I think the creature from the `Predator` films could have looked a bit like a Balrog. Around eight feet tall, long flowing hair, far stronger than any human and pretty fearsome to behold.

Look into the http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/library/classiccourt/77/Mirror of Desire.</a> </p>

[gamegie]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

For me the Balrog is simply an evil being, the Balrog is not so much a monster or a troll/like monster but an entity close to an evil spirit which takes a shadow and fiery appearance to be seen by humans and other mortals.

In the LOTR in the Moria, even the YRCH ( sorry Orcs ) were afraid by the coming of the Balrog. As opposed to Trolls who are directly under the influence of Sauron's or Saruman's power, I believe the Balrog is more indipendant and too powerful ( evil ).


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[Samwise of the shire]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re:Ooooohhhhhhhhh I'm gonna have some fun

Hmmmmmm......Well was'nt the Balrog supposed to be the size of a man?Or was it just man shaped?Well any way I picture it with a human like head that almost reaches to the great roof,cloaked in shadow like great wings that spread from wall to wall,the only thing you can see of it's face would be the fiery red eyes that burn with a cruel malice to any one who dare challenge it,not much meat on it's ribs or back-sorta like a skeleton-but it still has strength,and the whip burns with a fire that would burn all that it touched and a sword that blazed red,but stronger still was the sword that blazed white in answer to it's challenge.Okay someone stop me before I go on a writing spree
Samwise of the shire
Ps good point Gamegie,very evil so evil it's an almost subtle evil.

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[Aldaron]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs

Back in the early 70s at a science fiction convention in California, attendees were treated to an exhibition of forty-plus paintings by Tim Kirk based on LotR. Tim was awarded a Master Degree in Fine Arts for those paintings, as they were the equivalent of his thesis. A couple of those paintings have shown up on Barrowdowns home page in the last couple of weeks. I was delighted to see them. As I recall there was one painting of Gandalf vs. the balrog in the Mines of Moria. The balrog towered over Gandalf, dwarfing him. I always carried that image in my mind when I read that part of the book; the immense size in comparison with Gandalf, who seemed ever so mortal in comparison. Samwise mentions great wings and red eyes and that was a part of the balrog's portrait.

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[Telchar]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Balrogwings

Have you guys ever har a discussion of Balrogs with wings vs Balrogs without wings?

I for one vote wings - too many things in LOTR surggest Wings...

I've followed this topic on another discussion board, where its a really big thing to most people. I for one enjoy Tolkiens works also because he lets us make our on images in our heads!

Cheers Telchar

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[enep]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Balrogwings

Billions of them, Telchar <img src=wink.gif ALT="">

Just check through the Books (there's 13 pages of topics, you can get to the other pages at the bottom) they were all listed in the Moria theme.

^edit: There are 19 PAGES! 13 was last time I checked...how this forum has grown! <img src=tongue.gif ALT=":b">

- enep</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000041>enep</A> at: 4/21/01 6:17:57 am

[Zoe]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Balrogwings

We have had plenty of balrog-wing discussions. <img src=smile.gif ALT="">
Dig through the archives if you want to read them. Perhaps (if I can be bothered) I'll try and find some and link 'em.

"This sig is proudly quote-free." -Me.
(Also known as eoz, and now has a non-Tolkien forum, called http://pub57.ezboard.com/beverythingelse45161everything else</a>.) </p>

[enep]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Balrogwings

I beat you to it, Z <img src=smile.gif ALT="">

http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/u...c&f=1&t=000549BALROG POLL</a>
http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/u...c&f=1&t=000383WERE BALROGS WINGED?</a>
http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/u...c&f=1&t=000009 DO BALROGS HAVE WINGS</a>
http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/u...c&f=1&t=000471OF BOMBADILLOS AND BALROGS</a>
http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/u...c&f=1&t=000360BALROGS vs. DRAGONS</a>
http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/u...c&f=1&t=000074ARIEN, BALROGS AND WINGS</a>

And be sure to check out BW's Article on the Balrogs...http://www.barrowdowns.com/Articles_Balrogs.asp?Size= Did Balrogs Have Wings?</a>

I might have missed some, however...be sure to scrounge through the archives yourself <img src=wink.gif ALT="">

PS. Something to do with EzCodes and the conversion to HTML, but you may see grins (<img src=grin.gif ALT=">D"> ) in between the D's in the links...

- enep</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000041>enep</A> at: 4/21/01 6:41:43 am

[Telchar]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Thanks

Thank you guys :-)))


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[Samwise of the shire]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re:Now wait a minute.....

I said that the shadow was LIKE wings,I did not say that the Balrog had wings-I vote for no wings,Tolkien says himself that the darkness was like wings not really wings.-I mean even in FOTR it says that the shadow streached like wings but where not wings.
Sam


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[Orald]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Re:Now wait a minute.....

Balrogs, to me are like the Minotaur, but instead of a bull head something more like a horses head. More demonic looking than a horses head, red glowing eyes and all, sharp teeth/fangs even. A huge beast with a V shaped torso. Long bulky arms. Extremly muscular. Shadowy, dark fiends and unable to see them real well. A really short mane that sticks up in the air like a mohawk, starting from right above the brow, ending right at the base of the neck, with the last hairs growing into a pony tail or something. No tale, no wings, no horns. Encircled by shadows.

I doubt anyone sees a Balrog the same way as me. But let's see.

Thus even as Eru spoke to us shall beauty not before conceived be brought into Eä, and evil be good to have been.</p>

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Balrog features.....

For me a Balrog is basically a man shape but covered with fire (don't ask me why). I think it says somewhere that Balrogs were connected with fire and I sorta made the link.

And I vote for no wings cos I think they sorta jump about. If they had wings they'de be too much like the Nazgul....ahhhhhhh.

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[KayQy]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Balrog features.....

I don't have a mental picture of the balrogs. (<img src=eek.gif ALT=":eek"> ) For some reason I never got a clear picture when I was reading that section, and by now I've read so many differing opinions that I don't know what I would have originally come up with. I've got about three basic things: 1. Dark and shadowy. 2. Wings (shadow or bat, I don't care). 3. NOT like Bakshi's Balrog.

I do not know that we can have a heaven here on earth, but I am sure we need not have a hell here either. --Rich Mullins</p>

[Iulbahar]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: The Balrog wings debate (yet again)

Has anyone read the E-Text of LOTR on &quot;The Tolkien Sarcasm Page&quot;?
In &quot;The Bridge of Kringle Dum&quot;, Book II, Chapter 5, Aragon and Lego-lass(sic) have the debate while Gandalf is actually battling the balrog.
I have to say that I found the whole work absolutely hilarious. Highly recommended!
http://www.speakeasy.org/~ohh/book/.www.speakeasy.org/~ohh/book/.</a>

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000220>Iulbahar </A> at: 4/26/01 1:45:00 pm

[Orald]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: The Balrog wings debate (yet again)

I agree, it is a great site. Although some people on this board don't seem to think so.

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[Mithrandir]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: The Balrog wings debate (yet again)

lulbahr, that is the funniest thing that i have read today. i couldnt stop laughing!!! why dont people like it? a few laughs never hurt anyone, especially if they are just for fun. <img src=rolleyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes">

The Road goes ever on and on </p>

[Telchar]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: The Balrog wings debate (yet again)

Iulbahar! Are you insane? Posting that kind of irelevant gibberish on a serious site like this?? You should know we have better things to do with our time ...
...
...
hhmm - well OK it killed me too - still giggeling! Bless you Iulbahar.
let it keep comming :-)))))




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[Eldar14]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/nenya.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I never imagined the Balrogs to actually be a physical being with a defined shape, but I imagined them more ethereal. When I read FOTR I thought of a living black smoke glowing with an inner fire attacking Gandalf, and Gandalf causes it to fall with magic, not gravity. Well, maybe I'm just crazy.

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[GandaIf The White]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

It it hard to explain how I see them, but I think that if I could draw it just about everyone would agree. To me, the balrog is more of a dark shadow with fire inside than a beast with skin.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr> &quot;What it was could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it&quot;<hr></blockquote>
<blockquote>Quote:<hr> &quot;Its streaming mane kindeled, and blazed behind it.&quot;<hr></blockquote>
<blockquote>Quote:<hr> &quot;The dark figure streaming with fire raced towards them... and the fiery shadow halted.&quot;<hr></blockquote>

That is why it is hard to see it as a man or beast except for its general shape.

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends."</p>

[Telchar]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I see a mannish shape 8-12 feet tall with a troll like face though more evil - strong legs and arms - and wings!!! Dark skinned, with a mane like that of a horse, starting at the head and ending somewhat before the TAIL!!!
But this is only the picture that has stuck with me since childhood - those pictures are hard to change!

- Personally I dont see how a Shadow or a cloud can yield a sword or a whip!

Anar kaluva tielyanna!</p>

[GandaIf The White]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr> &quot;In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire.&quot;<hr></blockquote>

Seems to be more than just a plain sword.. <img src=smile.gif ALT="">

And, Telchar, only 8-12 feet? I more imagined 25 or 30.. This is a Maiar we are talking about. Though, I think, if Melkor had been alive and his spirit was in him, he would probably have been much stronger and bigger.

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends."</p>

[The Watcher in the Water]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I must say that my mental picture of a Balrog has been of Ted Nasmith's interpretation ever since I saw it. I definately reccomend a viewing of this pic (unfortunately I dont know of one online)

P.S. All of Nasmiths Tolkien art rocks!!

<img src=smile.gif ALT="">

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[Maglor68]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bluepal.jpg" align=absmiddle> Balrogs

I always sort of pictured them looking like a smaller version of that giant evil thing at the end of 'Fantasia'. Actually, that's also how I pictured the form Morgoth took when he first descended into Middle Earth.

- Maglor

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/onering.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Mental picture of the balrogs?

I always pictured Balrogs as beings of red smoke. Like a minotaur that is solid, but is like smoke and can float and fly.

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/bloody.jpg" align=absmiddle> Mental picture of the balrogs?

I always pictured the Balrogs as beings of man shape only of gigantic size and strength, just a dark smokey form with a blank face wielding a sword alive with fire and the whip, NO WINGS! Then they would be surrounded by shadow and smoke, and when it wanted to it could form the shadow to appear as great, dark, bat-like wings, surrounded by flame. Then having flaming eyes and nostrils with a long flowing mane from the head part of the way down the back. If anyone agrees or sees them similar to that please post it, I'd like to know.

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My mental picture...

I picture it as True Ogre from the video game Tekken 3.

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Re: My mental picture...

I always thought of balrogs being in the shape of a huge dark shadowy bird of prey with fire in its eyes and mouth and human like legs. O and by the way the bird like part would include vast smokey black wings.

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[onewhitetree]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 145</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: My mental picture...

I agree that I think it would look somewhat like the creature at the end of Fantasia...but NO wings.

<p align=center>Every leaf a miracle ~ The woods are lovely, dark, and deep
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[Gilthalion]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hobbitus Emeritus
Posts: 596</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: My mental picture...

Got to admit that the demon at the end of FANTASIA does it for me, too. (With wings! Not real wings, but like a swirling cape of darkness!)

I suppose it is possible that the balrogs were winged...

Like the dodo, or the moa, or the ostrich, or the emu, it could not use its wings to fly out of the chasm. Perhaps it only used them to fan itself...

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[Telchar]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Stonehearted Dwarf Smith
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Re: My mental picture...

I see balrogs as fallen angles! Dark demonic man shapes with wings of naked dark/black skin - firedemons, that could selfkindle ... just to look cool and scare the hell out of an enemy, pretty effective too <img src=laugh.gif ALT=":lol">

<marquee>It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes!!! ... Anar kaluva tielyanna!</marquee></p>

[Sauron]

I had this picture in my mind when I first read it, it wasn't till much later when I found this picture.
http://www.tlotr.com/tolkien_art/khazadpic_large.jpg