8 Interesting Facts About Galadriel: Rings of Power to LOTR

Did you know that the highly intelligent and brave Lady Galadriel was once tempted by the One Ring? Or that she owns one of the Rings of Power? Or even that her hair is so majestic that it was sought by different races? So, in this article, here are eight facts about Galadriel that you may, or may not, know. 

Galadriel: The Lord of the Rings

Galadriel is among the greatest elves in Middle Earth, and is noted for her beauty, knowledge, and power. In Rings of Power, she was depicted as a female warrior that led the Northern Armies, all the while searching for a way to end Sauron. She is one of my favourite LotR characters, mainly because she proves that she can, and will, help when she is needed, like in Middle Earth, when she marched in to save the humans. Time and time again, she proved her bravery to those around her throughout the series. Most of these facts, to me, enhance my liking of her character, so enjoy!

1. She owned one of the Elf-rings. 

When Sauron oversaw the creation of the Rings of Power, he secretly forged the One Ring. However, without his knowledge, Celebrimbor created three more rings, the Elven Rings. Because Sauron did not know of their existence, he could not control them and so no evil touched the rings. The ring, Nenya, was  gifted to Galadriel; Nenya was also known as the White Ring, Ring of Adamant, and Ring of Water. Nenya’s power was preservation and concealment from evil. Galadriel used it to create and protect Lothlórien, one of the fairest elf lands that resides in Middle-Earth. When Sauron and the One Ring were defeated, Nenya’s, along with the other Rings of Power, magic faded. 

2. She has a few really cool powers. 

The majority of Galadriel’s powers come from Nenya, the Ring of Water. She only used them for good purposes, like protecting Lothlórien. As shown in Lord of the Rings, Galadriel can speak to others with her mind, a power called ósanwe. For example, after the One Ring was destroyed, she communicated telepathically with Gandalf and Elrond on their return from Minas Tirith. In addition, she possessed the Mirror of Galadriel, a basin of water that could show the past, present, and possible future. It is unknown whether this power came from the ring or became more visible because of it. 

3. She was Commander of the Northern Armies. 

In Rings of Power, Galadriel was named many times as being the Commander of the Northern Armies. She is known throughout the elf race as being a strong warrior. Even Arondir, an elf that was protecting Tirharad, knew who she was on sight. In addition to the really cool title, she proved herself worthy when she charged into Middle Earth with the Numenor army to save the humans that were being slaughtered by orcs. 

4. Elrond became her son-in-law, and Arwen became her granddaughter. 

In the Rings of Power, Elrond was good friends with Galadriel. However, in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it is shown that Elrond married Galadriel’s and Celeborn’s daughter, Celebrían, with whom he had three children: Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen. To me, this is pretty funny as Elrond went from being friends with Galadriel to becoming her son-in-law. When I watched Rings of Power and saw that they were once friends, I found it really funny. 

5. Her uncle begged three times for a strand of her hair. 

Galadriel’s hair was described as golden, with a bit of silver, and seemed to shine with the light of the Two Trees of Valinor. Though not shown in the books, Galadriel’s uncle, Fëanor, the most important elf of the Second Age, asked her three times for a strand of her hair. She refused because she saw the greed in his heart that would never fade. However, in the Fellowship of the Ring, she gave Gimli the dwarf three strands of her hair, though he only asked for one, because she had seen the good in the dwarf. This forged a bond between the dwarves and the elves. 

6. She was born and raised in Valinor. 

Galadriel, originally named Artanis, was a royal elf of the Noldor and the Teleri. Her father was a prince of the Noldor, and her mother was the daughter of the King of the Teleri. When she sought revenge against Sauron for the murder of her brother, she left Valinor. However, when she went to Lindon after her quest was “finished”, the Elven High King, Gil-galad gave her and her team a return to Valinor. She was banned from Valinor, but she was granted passage once more. Later, when Sauron was defeated, she went back to her homeland for good. 

7. She refused the One Ring. 

In The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo offered Galadriel the One Ring. At first, she was tempted because of her innermost wish to use the One Ring and take down Sauron. However, she was shown a vision of herself if she accepted the Ring: she would have been the replacement of Sauron, filled with evil and darkness. With the One Ring in her possession, along with Nenya and her powers, she would be unstoppable, and stronger than Sauron. This vision was what gave her the strength to refuse the Ring, and she passed the test that was given. 

8. Sauron is scared of Galadriel, and was once defeated by her in The Hobbit.  

Sauron saw Galadriel as his equal, and he was afraid of what she might and could do to him. Galadriel was the one that defeated Sauron through a battle of minds. She mocked him, calling him nameless, faceless, and formless. Eventually, she broke into his mind and commanded him to retreat. Sauron, who couldn’t resist her for any longer, flees with the Nine Riders.