What is an Istar? I'm glad you asked. You may know your Hobbits from your Harfoots, but one of the more fantastical races currently in Middle-earth is the Istar.
Flash back to the The Rings of Power's season 1 finale and you may have heard something about the 'Istar', a word we've technically not heard in the screen adaptations of J. R. R. Tolkien's works before, despite it being associated with several major characters who exist within that world.
Since then, The Rings of Power season 2 has the Dark Wizard chasing the 'Istar', who we know only as The Stranger.
But what does 'Istar' mean, and who are they? Well, we get into it below. Spoilers are within, so only venture below if you've caught up to The Rings of Power season 2, episode 4.
What is an Istar?
Simply put, 'Istar' is an Elvish – more specifically, a Quenyan – term for 'wizard', a fact that The Stranger explains plainly to Harfoot pal Eleanor 'Nori' Brandyfoot after the Mystics deem him one in the Rings of Power season 1 finale. (He also points out to her that 'Istar' means 'wise one' in her language).
After mistaking him for Sauron, pledging their allegiance to him, and urging he return with them to Rhûn, the Dweller, the Nomad and the Ascetic wind up fighting The Stranger after the Harfoots come to his aid. During the battle, The Stranger's otherworldly abilities are exposed in all their glory, and the trio realize that they're not dealing with Sauron, but a magic wielder instead.
That group is involved with the hunt for The Stranger, with Ciaran Hinds' Dark Wizard making explicit reference to the "Istar", suggesting he either knows who the wizard is or is at least aware of the presence of more of his kind in Middle-earth.
In J. R. R. Tolkien's original works, the Istari, also known as Maiar, are powerful angel-like beings sent down to Middle-earth by the one god Eru Ilúvatar to help the Free Peoples – Elves, Dwarves, Men, you get the idea – in their fight against the dark lord Sauron. So it's safe to say that The Stranger is going to be a big deal as The Rings of Power continues.
Despite their aging appearances, they are known to be physically strong and highly intelligent. Each of them carry a staff, were associated with a color, and possessed a rank within their Order.
Who are the Istar?
There are only five known Istari in the Lord of the Rings franchise; Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, and the Blue Wizards, Alatar and Pallando. While the latter don't really feature in Tolkien's works, it is believed that they journeyed far into the east after their arrival in Middle-earth and served as missionaries in enemy-occupied lands. What happened to them after that is unknown.
Always on the move, wanderer Gandalf is a close friend of Bilbo Baggins and the Hobbits of the Shire. While he possesses great power, he'd rather guide the peoples of Middle-earth through encouragement and persuasion. Over time, Gandalf actually becomes the owner of Narya, the Ring of Fire, but given the fact that the Rings of Power is set thousands of years before the events of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies, we needn't worry ourselves with that just yet.
Elsewhere, Saruman is leader of the Istari and of the White Council, a group of Elves and wizards formed by Galadriel to fight Sauron. A bit of a bad dude in the end, he ends up being corrupted by his desire for knowledge and order, and obsession with finding the One Ring – but that storyline is a long way off yet. Early fan theories believe that Saruman and the Dark Wizard are one and the same.
Radagast is merely mentioned in the original texts, but his role was expanded in Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy. Shaman-like, he is often seen conversating with animals and flexing his herb-related skills.
Less is known about the Blue Wizards, other than they were sent to the south and east in Middle-earth to help quell the rise of Sauron.
Tolkien, in his 'Last Writings', say the Blue Wizards arrived in Middle-earth during the Second Age, before even the likes of Gandalf and Saruman.
For more, check out The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule. If fantasy's not your thing, then check out our guide to the best shows on Amazon Prime for some viewing inspiration.
