Order of Wizards

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The Five Wizards, also known as Istari, were five Maiar spirits in human form sent to aid the Free Peoples of Middle-earth against the threat of Sauron.

History

In the Undying Lands around TA 1000, Manwë became aware that the spirit of Morgoth's most dedicated lieutenant Sauron was rising in power again, and summoned a council of the Valar to send three messengers to Middle-earth to protect the free peoples and assure them the Valar had not forgotten them. Two Maiar came, Curumo (later known as Saruman) sent by Aulë, and (Morinehtar) Alatar, sent by Oromë. Manwë asked where Olórin was, and he came, after returning from a journey. Manwë asked Olórin (Gandalf) if he would go as the third messenger. Olórin said that he was too weak, and he was afraid of Sauron. Manwë said that that was all the more reason to go, and that he commanded Olórin to go as the third. Then Varda said "Not as the third." Yavanna begged Curumo to take (Radagast) Aiwendil, and Alatar took (Rómestámo), Pallando as a friend. They were forbidden to dominate the free peoples of Middle-earth or to match Sauron's power with power. When Saruman, the greatest of the Wizards, disobeyed this injunction, he was cast from the order and banished from Valinor.

Gandalf&Radagast — Gandalf the Grey With Radagast the Brown

The Wizards were known by various names, and were arrayed in different colours. Of those who came to Middle-earth, sent by the Valar, five are known, the Heren Istarion (Order of Wizards). After arriving in Middle-earth, the two Blue Wizards apparently went east before the War of the Ring; whether they played a part in the events of that war is currently unknown. (According to Tolkien's letters they may have formed cults for magic worship and practice among the Easterlings.) Radagast the Brown concerned himself mainly with plants and animals, and lived in Mirkwood for many years. Curumo (or Curunir, also known as Saruman) and Olórin spent time with the Free Peoples, the Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Curunir was wise and respected and became head of the White Council in TA 2463. However, he became prideful and jealous of the potential and purity of spirit of Gandalf, who would eventually surpass him in power. Saruman slowly came to betray the original purpose of the Wizards , and sought power for himself. During the War of the Ring he was overthrown, and he was finally killed within sight of Bag End, by his tormented servant Grima Wormtongue, who slit his neck after a failed attempt to rule the Shire. Saruman's spirit looked to the West, but was blown away.

At the end of the Third Age, the Wizards passed from sight, with the fall of Sauron their work was done. Gandalf passed over Sea with the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings. The fate of the other Wizards is unknown.^{[citation needed]}

Appearance

The Istari bore the forms of old Men, although they were vigorous and seemed to age very slowly if at all. They possessed great skill of body and mind; their powers were focused through their staffs. Each of the Istari had his own colour and grade within the Order. Saruman the White was the eldest and Gandalf the Grey second. The other Istari were Radagast the Brown and the two Blue Wizards, who dwelt far in the east.

Named wizards

The Wizards
Middle-earth name	Colour	Maia name	Belongs to
Saruman	White (later of Many Colors)	Curumo	Aulë
Gandalf	Grey (later White)	Olórin	Manwë and Varda
Radagast	Brown	Aiwendil	Yavanna
Morinehtar	Blue	Alatar	Oromë
Rómestámo	Blue	Pallando	Oromë

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Gandalf and Saruman

Curumo, the white wizard, was more commonly known as Saruman. He later claimed the title "Saruman of the Many Colours", after he was seduced by the evil power of Sauron.

Olórin, the grey wizard, was more commonly known as Gandalf the Grey. However, after dying at the hands of a balrog, Gandalf was reborn as Gandalf the White.

Aiwendil, the brown wizard, was more commonly known as Radagast. Radagast was a lover of nature and so did not play any major part in the War of the Ring except for announcing to the Great Eagles that Gandalf was at the Orthanc with Saruman.

Alatar and Pallando, the Blue Wizards. (Note: Later in his life, Tolkien wrote a note, suggesting that the names of the Blue Wizards were Morinehtar and Rómestámo. It is not clear whether these names were intended to replace the names Alatar and Pallando, or whether Morinehtar and Rómestámo were alternate names for the Blue Wizards, possibly those given to them by the peoples of Middle-Earth.) According to the videogame Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, the two blue wizards are presumably dead. In the game, an artifact can be found which displays the remnants of at least 1 of the staves from 1 of the wizards, if investigated the staff gives more information that it was left behind by the bigger of the two when they departed.

Saruman (human form) was killed by Gríma following the Battle of Bywater, and Gandalf returned to the Undying Lands in TA 3021. However, the fates of the three other Istari are relatively unknown. Alatar and Pallando disappeared in the east, while Radagast stayed in Middle-earth at least until TA 3018.