Do Balrogs have wings?

[Haldir]

This has been discussed in almost every forum I have been in and I think it would make a very interesting discussion... so ... do Balrogs have wings?

[Boromir]

Balrog- red devil living in Moria if I am not wrong- as I saw in the movie had huge wings. But I do not know if Tolkien said the contrary.

[Eyalan]

Isn't it so that Maiar can change shapes? Uhm.. yeah whatever, back ontopic, Eyalan!

I think it could be so that the Balrog had wings. Perhaps he was so shocked he forgot about them ;D I mean, we all have legs, but sometimes we just crash to the ground nonetheless.

[alexei]

From The Bridge of Khazad-Dum, FOTR: "[The Balrog] stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall..."

There's an argument for winged Balrogs.

But, just before that, we have this line: "[The Balrog] halted again, facing him. and the shadow about it reached out like like two vast wings."

So that would be a counter argument. One could say that the second mention of wings (which was my first quotation : was just carrying on the simile Tolkien used before.

But really, that's stupid. Personally, I'd say that Balrogs didn't have wings that were actually used to fly and were attached to their backs. However, in that case the Balrog probably used the shadow to "create" wings to look more intimidating.

My two cents.

[Eyalan]

*exalt* on the two cents

Perhaps my contribution to this topic about changing shapes wasn't all that bad when I read your reply, Alexei ;D

[Miluiel Greenleaf]

I always imagined them as a dragon-like figure that was incredibly terrifiying. I suppose that was my two cents. I don't really have an educated two cents. It was just two cents. I'll shut up now. *shuts up*

[Eyalan]

miluielgreenleaf said:

I always imagined them as a dragon-like figure that was incredibly terrifiying. I suppose that was my two cents. I don't really have an educated two cents. It was just two cents. I'll shut up now. *shuts up*

Wings, I assume? ;D

[Boromir]

Why we discuss?? PJ showed to us it has wings attached to it.

[alexei]

I wouldn't just take PJ's version as Tolkien's. He had to make some changes to be able to create a movie in the first place, and more to make it an understandable movie for those who never read the books. He got rid of things (Tom Bombadil) and added things (elves at Helms Deep), so PJ's version and Tolkien's version are different.

[Eyalan]

Yes that is true. So you are convinced that the Balrog didn't actually have wings, but created wings for a lack of having them? Based on Tolkiens version of the Balrog ofcourse.. *snort* sorry
You have to give me more of where that came from. ;D (Exalt you for making my day!)

[Miluiel Greenleaf]

I am too confused to continue thinking about Balrogs and wings.

[alexei]

I'm not even saying it created wings. I'm just saying it created wing looking things in that instance. In certainly didn't have actual wings with it all the time. I think this whole argument came about mainly through the inclusion of wings in the film. The only proof for wings (in the writing, of course!) in the book is the quote that takes place after the shadow simile.

[Haldir]

Well I personally don't really see why Balrogs would need wings ... they lived deep beneath the ground, so do they really need to fly? I think not. So I don't think that they would have wings if they don't use or need them ... every part of a living creature's body is supposed to serve a purpose, right? Wings on Balrogs don't.

[Miluiel Greenleaf]

A good point but perhaps that was not always their habitat?

[Haldir]

Okay then ... what can you tell me about where they resided before they were in the Pits of Utumno? All that was said about them was that they had whips of flame and black maces ... nothing about them being winged creatures. I don't think they even need wings if they live down there.