One of the most celebrated symbols from J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories has finally appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2. In Episode 5, the famous Doors of Durin make their debut. These doors are a special result of the friendship and teamwork between Elves and Dwarves during the Second Age.
Narvi the Dwarf (played by Kevin Eldon) reveals these doors to those who worked on them, and they look just like how Tolkien imagined them. This is a significant piece of craftsmanship that will influence the future of Middle-earth.
How Do the Doors of Durin Work?
Anyone who has watched The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring remembers the scene where Gandalf (played by Ian McKellen) tries to find the password to open a beautiful door made of light, carved into the Misty Mountains.
These are the Doors of Durin. In The Rings of Power, the doors look the same as they do in Peter Jackson’s movie. This is not due to design choices but because Tolkien himself drew many of the elements in his stories.
The doors are made of stone with Dwarven skills and are decorated with ithildin, a magical silver that is only visible when starlight or moonlight shines on it. When closed, the doors look almost invisible and blend perfectly with the rock. The symbols on the doors include references to the partnership between Elves and Dwarves.
They include the sigil of Khazad-dûm (a crown and stars) and a hammer-and-anvil representing Dwarven craftsmanship. Below, the Star of Fëanor refers to Celebrimbor’s heritage as Fëanor’s grandson. There are Sindarin letters C, N, and D, referring to Celebrimbor, Narvi, and Durin. Trees by the door’s pillars symbolize the two Trees of Valinor.
The most famous symbol on the Doors of Durin is the inscription on the top arch. It reads in Sindarin: “Ennyn Durin Aran Moria: Pedo mellon a minno.” This translates to: “The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria: Speak, friend, and enter.” This is a riddle. Instead of a secret password, the inscription itself provides the answer.
In The Fellowship of the Ring novel, it is mentioned that intonation matters. The correct interpretation is: “Speak ‘friend’ and enter.” The Sindarin word for “friend” is “Mellon.” When spoken, the Doors of Durin open.
The Doors of Durin Have Only Been Opened a Few Times
In Season 2, Narvi the Dwarf plays a key role in the Khazad-dûm storyline. The revealing of the Doors of Durin in Eregion is the first time he appears outside the mountain.
As the Delve-master (responsible for coordinating tunnel digging), he has advised King Durin III (played by Peter Mullan) and shown loyalty to Prince Durin IV (played by Owain Arthur) and his wife, Disa (played by Sophia Nomvete).
The revealing of the doors is hinted at in Episode 2, “Where the Stars are Strange,” when Celebrimbor shows his assistant, Mirdania (played by Amelia Kenworthy), his first work with ithildin. Although important, the Doors of Durin have only been opened a few times in Middle-earth’s history.
In the early Second Age, when Elves and Dwarves were cooperating, Celebrimbor set up Eregion (known as Hollin in the books) near the Misty Mountains. This increased trade and improved relations between the two races. Thus, King Durin III decided to open a new entrance to the mountain, also known as the west gate of Khazad-dûm.
The doors are known to have opened only twice in history. While they likely opened many times during Eregion’s peak, they were shut indefinitely after the Sacking of Eregion. They were opened again by the Fellowship of the Ring when crossing the Misty Mountains through the Mines of Moria.
Gandalf managed to open them once, and the Dwarf Óin also did when Balin (played by Ken Stott) failed to reclaim Khazad-dûm from the Orcs. Unfortunately, Óin was killed by the Watcher in the Water (the monster in the lake just outside the Doors of Durin).
The Revealing of the Doors of Durin Is Adjusted to Fit ‘The Rings of Power’ Timeline
In The Rings of Power, Celebrimbor and Narvi celebrate the Doors of Durin during the same time as the forging of the Rings of Power. Sauron (played by Charlie Vickers) appears at their revealing in his Annatar disguise.
The books do not give a specific timeline for when the doors are completed, but this happens in the early Second Age, with Eregion established only in the year 750. Celebrimbor and Annatar start forging the rings in the year 1500 of the Second Age, so there is a gap of about 500 years between these events.
Annatar’s presence at the revealing of the Doors of Durin is significant. He shows coldness towards Celebrimbor and uses this event to try to convince him to forge the Nine Rings for Men.
While the friendship between Elves and Dwarves is important, Annatar sees it as a distraction from something more powerful. In the end, Celebrimbor refuses but lets Annatar use his forge. Later, Celebrimbor joins the ongoing forging of the Nine Rings.
Season 2 of The Rings of Power is available for streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes released weekly on Thursdays.
