Editing Balrog (section)

== Characteristics ==

[[File:Gandalf fighting the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-dûm.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gandalf]] fighting the Balrog on the [[bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. [[Scraperboard]] illustration by [[Alexander Korotich]], 1981 ]]

Tolkien's conception of Balrogs changed over time. In all his early writing, they are numerous. A host of a thousand is mentioned in the ''[[The Silmarillion#Quenta Silmarillion|Quenta Silmarillion]]'',<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1987}}, p. 312, "there came Balrogs one thousand".</ref> while at the storming of [[Gondolin]] Balrogs in the hundreds ride on the backs of the [[Dragons (Middle-earth)|Dragons]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1984b}}, p. 170.</ref> They are roughly of twice<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1984b}}, p. 194: "... it pierced the Balrog's belly nigh his own face (for that demon was double his stature) ...". For comparison, other Maiar are of human size: Olórin ([[Gandalf]]), [[Melian (Middle-earth)|Melian]]. In {{harvnb|Tolkien|1993}}, p.69, a note by Tolkien states: "The Valar.... most often used shapes of 'human' form, though taller (''not'' gigantic) and more magnificent."</ref> human size,<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1989}}, p. 197.</ref> and were rarely killed in battle.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1984b}}, p.179 "the number of Balrogs that perished was a marvel and a dread to the hosts of Melkor, for ere that day never had any of the Balrogs been slain by the hand of Elves or Men."</ref>  They were fierce demons, associated with fire, armed with fiery whips of many thongs and claws like steel, and Morgoth delighted in using them to torture his captives.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1984b}}, p. 169.</ref>

In the published version of ''The Lord of the Rings'', however, Balrogs became altogether more sinister and more powerful. [[Christopher Tolkien]] notes the difference, saying that in earlier versions they were "less terrible and certainly more destructible". He quotes a very late marginal note<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1993}}, p.80.</ref> that was not incorporated into the text saying "at most seven" ever existed;<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1984b}}, "The Fall of Gondolin", pp. 212–213.</ref> though in the ''[[Annals of Aman]]'', written as late as 1958, Melkor still commands "a host of Balrogs".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1993}}, pp. 75, 79</ref> In later writings they ceased to be creatures, but are instead [[Maia (Middle-earth)|Maiar]], lesser [[Ainur (Middle-earth)|Ainur]] like Gandalf or [[Sauron]], spirits of fire whom Melkor had corrupted before the creation of the World.<ref name="The Silmarillion p. 31" group=T/> Power of the order of Gandalf's was necessary to destroy them, as when Gandalf at the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]] tells the others "This is a foe beyond any of you."<ref name="Bridge of Khazad-dûm" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 2, ch. 5 "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"</ref>

As Maiar, only the physical form of a Balrog could be destroyed. Tolkien says of the Valar and the Maiar that they can change their shape at will, and move ''unclad in the raiment of the world'', meaning invisible and without form.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "[[Ainulindalë]]", p. 21.</ref> But it seems that Morgoth, Sauron, and their associated Maiar could lose this ability: Morgoth, for example, was unable to heal his burns from the [[Silmaril]]s or wounds from [[Fingolfin]] and the eagle Thorondor;<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}} ch. 18 "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"</ref> and Sauron lost his ability to assume a fair-seeming form after his physical body was destroyed in the downfall of [[Númenor]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Appendix A, Part I, Section (i).</ref>

Tolkien does not address this specifically for Balrogs, though in his later conception, as at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, the Balrog appears "like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater". Though previously the Balrog had entered the "large square chamber" of Mazarbul, at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm it "drew itself to a great height, and its wings spread from wall to wall" in the vast hall.<ref name="Bridge of Khazad-dûm" group=T/>
The Balrog's size and shape, therefore, are not given precisely. When Gandalf threw it from the peak of [[Zirakzigil]], the Balrog "broke the mountain-side where he smote it in his ruin".<ref name="White Rider" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954}}, book 3, ch. 5 "The White Rider"</ref> 
Whether Balrogs had wings (and if so, whether they could fly) is unclear.<ref name="Abbott 1989"/> This is due both to Tolkien's changing conception of Balrogs, and to the [[Tolkien's ambiguity|imprecise but suggestive and possibly figurative]] description of the Balrog that confronted Gandalf.<ref name="Bridge of Khazad-dûm" group=T/>

The Balrog of Moria used a [[flaming sword (mythology)|flaming sword]] ("From out of the shadow a red sword leapt flaming") and a many-thonged whip that "whined and cracked" in its battle with Gandalf. In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', they also used black axes and maces.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "Of the Fifth Battle", pp. 193-4.</ref> Earlier writings also speak of steel claws and iron mail.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1984b}}, pp. 169, 181, 194.</ref>

In earlier drafts of ''The Lord of the Rings'', some further indications of Tolkien's evolving conceptions appear, as when

{{blockquote|A figure strode to the fissure, no more than man-high yet terror seemed to go before it. They could see the furnace-fire of its eyes from afar; its arms were very long; it had a red [?tongue].<ref name="Treason Bridge" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1989}}, "The Bridge", pp. 197-198</ref>}}

At this writing Tolkien contemplated an edict of the Valar concerning Balrogs, having Gandalf challenge the Balrog by saying "It is forbidden for any Balrog to come beneath the sky since Fionwë{{efn|Eönwë in later versions}} son of Manwë overthrew [[Thangorodrim]]."<ref name="Treason Bridge" group=T/>