The Red Arrow - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Starbreeze · 03-29-2002, 03:45 PM

I'm not sure if I understand the symbolism of The Red Arrow that was presented to The Riders of Rohan to call them to war. What does it mean, and why should it change Theoden's mind from riding East to fight? [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

***The Barrow-Wight*** · 03-29-2002, 03:59 PM

I don't believe the Red Arrow was symbolic in any way. It was simply the 'code' for letting Rohan know their aid was needed. A black arrow or a green spear would have been equally as effective. It just happened that Gondor and Rohan chose a red arrow.

Mirkgirl · 03-29-2002, 04:43 PM

The good think of literature is that you can always think of a symbol anywhere... just go to any symbol dictionary/encyclopedia

I think that it was chosen for being somehow threatening well that's an arrow in red what are the first thoughts that come to your head?!?

VanimaEdhel · 03-29-2002, 06:09 PM

If Mirkgirl was too vague: red = blood (just in case you came on here drunk and couldn't figure it out). Red arrow = arrow with blood, which is usually made when someone shoots an arrow (that is in case you were COMPLETELY intoxicated).

I agree with that idea too (I mean, that's the best symbolic translation I can think of). Not the most pleasant, warm, cozy symbol, but, then again, that isn't the most pleasant, warm, cozy message!

Gorin Icearms · 03-29-2002, 06:19 PM

I agree. And besides, it would sound stupid as "The Purple Arrow"

(Ok I could've picked any color but this was funny. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img])

Mirkgirl · 03-29-2002, 06:48 PM

Quote:

If Mirkgirl was too vague: red = blood

I meant to be vague and red=passion/threat/anger/whatever_you_name_it was what I meant.

Birdland · 03-29-2002, 07:30 PM

Maybe the Stewards of Gondor used the Red Arrow because they figured those hayseeds in Rohan couldn't read.

"OK, see? Red Arrow means 'come and fight'. No, don't worry about the details. We'll fill you in when you get here. Just remember - 'Red Arrow' equals 'fight'. Simple, right?"

Kuruharan · 03-29-2002, 08:25 PM

They might want to be a wee bit more specific than that otherwise you might end up with...

Riders of Rohan: "Hayseeds! You callin' us a bunch of ignorant hayseeds?! Oh, we're gonna come fight alright! Hayseed this you snit!"
[*Broadsword upside the head*]
[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Kuruharan ]

Kalimac · 03-30-2002, 12:18 AM

Funny, the first thing I thought of was the Moscow-St. Petersburg express train (also called the Red Arrow, though not for similar reasons, one would hope).

Isn't red just usually considered a symbol of danger or threat? In which case the meaning of a red arrow would be pretty obvious; also it's a much more dramatic symbol to flourish at your assembled troops than a piece of paper which they couldn't read from more than two feet away anyhow.

Does anyone know, BTW, how red became a symbol of potential danger (or is it just because it's the same color as blood?) Stop signs are red, of course, but there probably weren't too many of those in Rohan [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img].

[ March 30, 2002: Message edited by: Kalimac ]

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-30-2002, 02:32 AM

Scientifically, red is the color that can be seen farthest and soonest, even when there is not much light. If I remember rightly, that's because it is the color with the longest wavelength. So choosing red to warn is logical for traffic signs and warning symbols, such as the red arrow.

Aralaithiel · 03-30-2002, 10:09 AM

How about chartreuse with purple polka-dots arrows?
Red is an attention getting color, especially if you're driving a red car. The cops seem to gravitate & pull over red cars more frequently.

Nevfeniel · 03-30-2002, 12:28 PM

Maybe they couldn't find an arrow in a different color. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Starbreeze · 03-30-2002, 03:13 PM

Ok, that helps, thanks you guys! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

VanimaEdhel · 03-30-2002, 05:25 PM

chartreuse with purple? but that may blend in to the forest (green in the light, purplish in the shade). Now, I admit, they WEREN'T in the shade, but still...I'm just being picky because...well...that's me... [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] !

And I doubt, after all those years, they would misinterperate the arrow color. I mean, if one were to give ME any weapon that was painted red, I would get a hint...now if they gave me a chartreuse arrow with purple polka dots...I may just worry about the person's sanity...or I might not understand the color. Red everybody understands.

Merendis · 03-30-2002, 05:31 PM

IF they sent a green or a pink arrow, it wouldn't be quite as urgent sounding. WOuld you stop at a green stop sign?

http://www.colormatters.com/accident.html

Aragost · 07-15-2002, 10:02 AM

A black featherad arrow barbed with steel with a red tip sent from gondor to rohan when the former neededaid

03-29-2002, 03:45 PM	#1
Starbreeze Ghost of a Smile Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mirkwood - Middle Earth Posts: 389	The Red Arrow I'm not sure if I understand the symbolism of The Red Arrow that was presented to The Riders of Rohan to call them to war. What does it mean, and why should it change Theoden's mind from riding East to fight? [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img] __________________ Do not tamper with the affairs of wizards, they are not all that subtle - Terry Pratchett To write is to make dreams, to make dreams is to awaken the fantasy of the mind, to awaken the mind is to be a master.

03-29-2002, 03:59 PM	#2
*The Barrow-Wight* Night In Wight Satin Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 4,043	I don't believe the Red Arrow was symbolic in any way. It was simply the 'code' for letting Rohan know their aid was needed. A black arrow or a green spear would have been equally as effective. It just happened that Gondor and Rohan chose a red arrow. __________________ The Barrow-Wight

03-29-2002, 04:43 PM	#3
Mirkgirl Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 84	The good think of literature is that you can always think of a symbol anywhere... just go to any symbol dictionary/encyclopedia I think that it was chosen for being somehow threatening well that's an arrow in red what are the first thoughts that come to your head?!? __________________ "Hobbits! Well, what next? I have heard of strange doings in this land, but I have seldom heard of a hobbit sleeping out of doors under a tree. Three of them! There's something mighty queer behind this."

03-29-2002, 06:09 PM	#4
VanimaEdhel Etheral Enchantress Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wellesley College! Posts: 1,461	If Mirkgirl was too vague: red = blood (just in case you came on here drunk and couldn't figure it out). Red arrow = arrow with blood, which is usually made when someone shoots an arrow (that is in case you were COMPLETELY intoxicated). I agree with that idea too (I mean, that's the best symbolic translation I can think of). Not the most pleasant, warm, cozy symbol, but, then again, that isn't the most pleasant, warm, cozy message! __________________ "I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each others dreams, we can be together all the time." - Hobbes of Calvin and Hobbes

03-29-2002, 06:19 PM	#5
Gorin Icearms Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 67	I agree. And besides, it would sound stupid as "The Purple Arrow" (Ok I could've picked any color but this was funny. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]) __________________ The Moon is Rising! Oh hey, I'm a wight now. WORSHIP ME IN ALL MY WIGHTNESS!!! MUAHAHAHA!!

03-29-2002, 07:30 PM	#7
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	Maybe the Stewards of Gondor used the Red Arrow because they figured those hayseeds in Rohan couldn't read. "OK, see? Red Arrow means 'come and fight'. No, don't worry about the details. We'll fill you in when you get here. Just remember - 'Red Arrow' equals 'fight'. Simple, right?"

03-29-2002, 08:25 PM	#8
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	They might want to be a wee bit more specific than that otherwise you might end up with... Riders of Rohan: "Hayseeds! You callin' us a bunch of ignorant hayseeds?! Oh, we're gonna come fight alright! Hayseed this you snit!" [Broadsword upside the head] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Kuruharan ] __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

03-30-2002, 12:18 AM	#9
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	Funny, the first thing I thought of was the Moscow-St. Petersburg express train (also called the Red Arrow, though not for similar reasons, one would hope). Isn't red just usually considered a symbol of danger or threat? In which case the meaning of a red arrow would be pretty obvious; also it's a much more dramatic symbol to flourish at your assembled troops than a piece of paper which they couldn't read from more than two feet away anyhow. Does anyone know, BTW, how red became a symbol of potential danger (or is it just because it's the same color as blood?) Stop signs are red, of course, but there probably weren't too many of those in Rohan [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. [ March 30, 2002: Message edited by: Kalimac ] __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.

03-30-2002, 02:32 AM	#10
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Scientifically, red is the color that can be seen farthest and soonest, even when there is not much light. If I remember rightly, that's because it is the color with the longest wavelength. So choosing red to warn is logical for traffic signs and warning symbols, such as the red arrow. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

03-30-2002, 10:09 AM	#11
Aralaithiel Ghost Eldaran Queen Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A remote mountain in Valinor Posts: 353	How about chartreuse with purple polka-dots arrows? Red is an attention getting color, especially if you're driving a red car. The cops seem to gravitate & pull over red cars more frequently. __________________ A lelyat, wen! (Quenya Elvish for "You go, girl!"

03-30-2002, 12:28 PM	#12
Nevfeniel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mithlond Posts: 783	Maybe they couldn't find an arrow in a different color. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Consider the purr a variety of audible tranquilizer. [. . .] For a few of us, there is one more purr, a secret purr. When we combine our secret purrs, we produce the Purr of Power. And that is simply the amplified amity we feel as furred and purred beings.

03-30-2002, 03:13 PM	#13
Starbreeze Ghost of a Smile Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mirkwood - Middle Earth Posts: 389	Ok, that helps, thanks you guys! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ Do not tamper with the affairs of wizards, they are not all that subtle - Terry Pratchett To write is to make dreams, to make dreams is to awaken the fantasy of the mind, to awaken the mind is to be a master.

03-30-2002, 05:25 PM	#14
VanimaEdhel Etheral Enchantress Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wellesley College! Posts: 1,461	chartreuse with purple? but that may blend in to the forest (green in the light, purplish in the shade). Now, I admit, they WEREN'T in the shade, but still...I'm just being picky because...well...that's me... [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] ! And I doubt, after all those years, they would misinterperate the arrow color. I mean, if one were to give ME any weapon that was painted red, I would get a hint...now if they gave me a chartreuse arrow with purple polka dots...I may just worry about the person's sanity...or I might not understand the color. Red everybody understands. __________________ "I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each others dreams, we can be together all the time." - Hobbes of Calvin and Hobbes

03-30-2002, 05:31 PM	#15
Merendis Animated Skeleton Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: An hour from Eden and the Stairway to Hell Posts: 45	IF they sent a green or a pink arrow, it wouldn't be quite as urgent sounding. WOuld you stop at a green stop sign? http://www.colormatters.com/accident.html __________________ Merendis Mthe Mmariner's Mwife Riding one day in the forest of the Westlands he saw a woman, whose dark hair flowed in the wind, and about her was a green cloak...and he knew her for Erendis...then suddenly he knew in himself the love that he bore her, and he felt the emptiness of his days.

07-15-2002, 10:02 AM	#16
Aragost Wight Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Arthedain Posts: 137	A black featherad arrow barbed with steel with a red tip sent from gondor to rohan when the former neededaid __________________ Where there's a whip there's a will