Do Balrogs Have Wings: A Comprehensive Analysis

In J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, Balrogs are often described as shadowy, fiery beings whose exact physical appearance can be somewhat ambiguous. While Tolkien left some aspects of the Balrogs open to interpretation, popular adaptations like Peter Jackson's film trilogy portray them in varying ways. The age-old debate over whether Balrogs have wings continues to engage scholars and enthusiasts alike. Let's delve into this fascinating topic.

The Evidence from Tolkien's Writings

The most debated passages in Tolkien's legendarium often revolve around the Balrogs and their wings. One of the most contentious phrases can be found in The Fellowship of the Ring when Gandalf and the Balrog face each other on the bridge of Khazad-d?m:

‘It stepped forward slowly onto the bridge and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height and its wings were spread from wall to wall,

but still Gandalf could be seen glimmering in the gloom: he seemed small and altogether alone: grey and bent like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm.’

While the first description is unclear and nebulous, the second one is more declarative: 'its wings were spread from wall to wall.' This suggests the presence of some appendage, possibly in wing-form, attached to the Balrog.

The Writer's Perspective and Contextual Clues

To understand Tolkien's intentions, it is crucial to consider the order and nature of these sentences within his narrative. The first phrase mentions something 'like' two vast wings, while the second is more declarative about 'its wings.' There is a moment of 'reveal,' 'dread,' and then horrifying 'clarity' in the Balrog's emergence from the passage:

1st reference: ‘His enemy halted again facing him and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings.’

2nd reference: ‘Suddenly it drew itself up to a great height and its wings were spread from wall to wall...

These 'dueling passages' from The Silmarillion also add to the debate:

‘The cry of Morgoth in that hour was the greatest and most dreadful that was ever heard in the northern world the mountains shook and the earth trembled and rocks were riven asunder… Deep in forgotten places that cry was heard. Far beneath the ramparts of Angband in vaults to which the Valar in the haste of their assault had not descended Balrogs lurked still awaiting ever the return of their Lord and now swiftly they arose and passing over Hithlum they came to Lammoth as a tempest of fire.’

Note the lack of 'winged speed' in this version, but it still emphasizes their swift movement as a 'tempest of fire.'

The Evidence for Winged-Speed

When considering the Balrogs' speed, it's important to analyze the context of their rapid response to Morgoth's cry. The distance between Lammoth and Angband is approximately 175 miles, and if we assume a speed of sound and the timeframe given, it would have taken them under 10 minutes to reach their Lord. This speed indicates that the Balrogs are indeed able to move with 'winged-speed,' similar to 'Maia-speed' (the speed of powerful Maia).

No Evidence for Flight

Passages describing Glorfindel and the Balrog falling to their deaths from mountain passes do not support the idea that Balrogs can fly in a literal sense. Such falls may be attributed to injuries or other circumstances rather than the ability to control their descent with wings. Additionally, the idea of Balrogs riding dragons further complicates the matter, as it might suggest a choice rather than necessity for flight.

The Conclusion

My stance is that Balrogs do have wings, but not in the conventional sense of being an appendage for flight. The Balrogs have an appendage that appears in wing-form and is attached to them, likely as a visage in semi-physical form. This aligns with Tolkien's portrayal of the Balrogs as powerful Maia, capable of manifesting in various forms, including those suggestive of wings.

"All we are sure of and where I hang my lore-hat is there is something there in wing-form and it’s attached to them. The preponderance of canon passages support this conclusion." - LMHS