Secret Fire
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In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional mythology, the Secret Fire and Flame Imperishable, and possibly the Flame of Anor, are references to a mysterious power. Tolkien described it as similar to the Christian Holy Spirit[1], and Gandalf is called a servant of it.[2][3]
The Secret Fire, or Flame Imperishable, seems to refer to the creative aspect of Eru Ilúvatar. It was with Ilúvatar at the beginning. Melkor, desiring power equal to Ilúvatar, sought for it in vain. Melkor's desire for the Secret Fire led to his rebellion against Ilúvatar (reminiscent of the fall of Satan in Paradise Lost). Later Ilúvatar set the Secret Fire (or an aspect of it) at the heart of Eä.
Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä.
– "Valaquenta", The Silmarillion
The Secret Fire is also part of all Fëar: it is that Gift which makes sentient beings capable of independent thought. Without it, new beings cannot be created. Speaking of Orcs, Frodo explains this to Sam:
"The Shadow that bred them can only mock, it cannot make: not real new things of its own."
– The Return of the King VI 1: "The Tower of Cirith Ungol"
Gandalf the Grey refers to both the Secret Fire and the Flame of Anor when facing Durin's Bane at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm:
"You cannot pass," he said. … "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you here, flame of Udûn. You cannot pass."
– The Fellowship of the Ring II 5: "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"
Some[citation needed] see this reference as equating the "flame of Anor" with the "Secret Fire"; others[citation needed] argue that the "flame of Anor" here refers rather to Narya, the Elven Ring that Gandalf wears.
