“There on a sudden did my heart perceive
That they who sang about the Eve,
Who answered the bright-shining stars
With gleaming music of their strange guitars,
These were His wandering happy sons
Encamped upon those aery leas
Where Gods’ unsullied garment runs
In glory down to his mighty knees.”
– J.R.R Tolkien, from Habbanan beneath the Stars
Sometime in the beleaguered days of 1915, J.R.R. Tolkien sought refuge from military movements, and likely pining for aery leas, he penned the words above. This poem gives us an early glimpse of the artist laying down the supporting stones for his vast legendarium. While the canvas is still largely bare, we can see the foundational elements being mixed together; faith and fairyland, hope and hidden fire.
It is generally agreed upon by scholars and fans that Tolkien’s sub-creative imagination was fired by his faith; indeed Tolkien himself said that “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work…” While Tolkien disliked direct allegory or art that attempted to preach, he was very fond of using tried and precious stones in the foundation of his mosaic that might seem obvious to those who have eyes to see them individually. These old stones that were so essential to Tolkien’s inspiration were laid and even hidden within the tale so as not to obscure or become stumbling blocks to the greater story.
While Tolkien enjoyed embedding his faith within the tale itself, too often today, we see the total sand blasting and intentional removal of faith from modern interpretations of classic literature. Some of the modern film interpretations of Beowulf for instance, are a clear example of this removal of the foundation stones. Political correctness and plain old fear have robbed us of enjoying these classics in their original context, when they could be celebrated by the magic of modern media.
With the removal of the foundations of faith (of all kinds) so prominent in our society today, I was more than heartened and surprised to find a hidden gem within Lord of the Rings Online. Could it be that one producer got it right, and like Tolkien himself, hid a foundation stone within the secondary world; this one through modern media magic? Is there a subtle and heartfelt personal nod to the Author in the virtual Eriador? Watch the video below and judge for yourself:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5mXNz87k10?rel=0]
There on the foundation stones of the bridge spanning the river Lhûn are unmistakable and clear “Chi Rho” symbols inscribed. The Chi Rho, a symbol for Christ is one of the oldest Christograms. It is comprised of the superimposed Greek letters chi (Χ) and rho (Ρ), which are the first two letters of Christ in Greek.
- Reconstruction of Chi-Rho fresco from Roman villa at Lullingstone, including Alpha and Omega.
The Chi Rho in LOTRO, is a later version, like the ancient one above, which even includes the Alpha & Omega symbols; a reference to Revelation 1:8,
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
The fact that an unknown Dwarven stone artisan put this seal on the foundation stones of the bridge leading to Duillond immediately calls to mind another famous verse;
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11
How does this seemingly out of place “real life” symbol play into the story of Lord of the Rings? One will have to use their sub-creative imagination to fill in the gaps. Perhaps it is a hidden allusion to the prophecy discussed in the debate of Finrod and Andreth; the author entering Arda Himself to heal it’s hurts? Whatever the reason (even accidental) for the Chi Rho appearing in LOTRO, it is a fitting tribute to the author and his view of Creator and sub-creator.
You could easily pass over these stones and simply enjoy the tale in its telling, or you could stop and enjoy each facet and finish. What Tolkien heartily denounced was taking any one stone out of the building of the story and making it the sole focus, and thereby collapsing the tower and losing the vista which it provided.
“He is such an odd fellow! Imagine using these old stones just to build a nonsensical tower! Why did not he restore the old house? he had no sense of proportion.’ But from the top of that tower the man had been able to look out upon the sea.” J.R.R. Tolkien, Beowulf and the Critics
There is value in appreciating each stone, but only as it supports the whole. Of course, as Tolkien would agree, some of those stones are foundational support stones, you mustn’t remove them for fear of wrecking them all.
“If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?” – Psalm 11:3
The Chi Rho appears in at least two locations in LOTRO; let us leave the explorer of Eriador to find the second and perhaps other hidden gems. For now we stand upon the high bridge of Duillond, gazing out over the clear waters of the Lhûn, wondering to what grey harbour and bejewelled shore this river will take us.
-Article written by John Di Bartolo, one of the Founders of Middle-earth Network and the songwriter/musician behind the Lonely Mountain Band