Istari is the generic term for the five wizards in The Rings of Power. Two are already well known to fans, while the rest are in the shadows.
Istari in “The Rings of Power”: Saruman and Gandalf as supreme wizards
“Istari” is a term from the Tolkien universe. It stands for the five magicians and is therefore the plural of “Istar” (the magician). While three of the five Istari are relatively unknown, two have made it to the top of the fans' popularity list – especially from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
- Curunír, the Man of Knowledge or the White One, is the first of the five sorcerers. He is better known by his name Saruman. He first came to Middle-earth to support the Elves and Men in the fight against Sauron. But he failed and switched sides.
- Saruman is described as a cunning and versatile wizard in many different guises. He lusts for power himself and wants to bring Middle-earth under his control. He wants to oust Sauron, but is not powerful enough. To gain this power, he plans to seize one of the master rings.
- Along with Saruman, Mithrandir, the Gray Pilgrim, is the highest of the order. Many fans will be known as the magician Gandalf be more common. Gandalf is a wise and good man who always has the well-being of simple creatures in mind. He wears gray, long hair, gray robes and a staff. He looked older than Saruman.
- Gandalf sees himself as a mediator between elves and humans as well as their protector. In the War of the Ring, Gandalf is one of the driving forces within the community of the Ring. He asks Frodo to take the ring to Rivendell.
- Gandalf supposedly dies in the mines of Moria, but later returns as Gandalf the White. His once gray hair is now snow white, as are his robes.
Radagast, Alatar and Pallando: Istari in the shadow of the two highest
Less known than Saruman and Gandalf from “Rings of Power”. Radagast. The wizard looked after the birds, animals and plants of Middle-earth and can also communicate with them.
- Radagast is nicknamed “the Brown One” and is described as a crotchety old man with brown hair and a beard and brown robes. Saruman once called the wizard a fool and simple. In the Hobbit trilogy, Radagast lives in a small wooden house not far from the abandoned fortress of Dol Guldur. His love for nature is clear in the films.
- Little is known about the last two Istari, Alatar and Pallando. Both worked in secret as missionaries to the enemy-occupied lands in Middle-earth.
- Alatar the Blue goes to the east of Middle-earth with Saruman the White and Pallando the Blue. But only Saruman returned from there. Nothing is known about the whereabouts of the other two magicians. Alatar also bore the name Morinehtar, meaning darkness slayer.
- Pallando Like Alatar, he is called a blue wizard based on the color of his robes. Both wizards are friends with each other.
- The Istari pledged to travel to Middle-earth in human form. They were not allowed to reveal their true identities. They appeared as older men in simple clothing. They were not allowed to use violence and their power was only to be used in emergencies.
- All Istari mastered numerous intellectual and technical skills. The Istari first appeared in Middle-earth around the year 1000 AD. Manwë, the Highest of the Valar, sent three messengers (Maiar) to Middle-earth to confront Sauron. These three messengers were Saruman, Gandalf and Alatar.