There are many weapons used throughout theLord of the Ringstrilogy. From battleaxes, maces, and spears, to bows and arrows and swords, they each held a certain significance to, not only their wielder, but to the people in which the wielder belonged.
Many weapons were given names, especially when given to or forged for people of royalty, such as the sword Orcrist, a name meaning “Goblin-cleaver” and given to the Dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield. Weapons given a name usually are meant to serve a purpose for an unforetold circumstance. The same goes for the Elven lady Arwen. InLord of the Rings, she ends up with the mighty sword who’s familial history helped fight off great enemies and make its way into the possession of Arwen so that she may do the same.
What Is Arwen’s Sword Called?
Arwen’s sword, like many others, is given a name in which describes what it is capable of doing. For example, the knife Angrist, which in Sindarin translates to “iron-cutter”, was stolen by the Edain warrior Beren, who used the weapon to cut through theIron Crown worn by Morgoth. The names of weapons, in a way, have a power to tell the future in which the weapon will be utilized.
The name of Arwen’s sword is no exception: Hadhafang. Hadhafang translates in Sindarin to “throng-cleaver”. In this instance, a “throng” is referring to a hoard of warriors in which this sword “cleaves”, or destroys. As the name states, it did in fact contribute to the cleaving of many throngs, dating back to the First Age, again in the Second Age, and alast time in the Third Age, wielded by Arwen herself.
Interestingly, the sword is not mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories, rather, the concept of it was created by Peter Jackson, the director of theLord of the Ringsfilms from the early 2000s. Still, the sword was given a rich history which allowed it to make its way into Arwen’s possession and used to take down great enemies while simultaneously protecting people and things that would bring peace back to Middle-earth.
Why Is Arwen’s Sword Significant?
Hadhafang plays a crucial role in the story because it was used in various dire times involving the Elven people throughout their lengthy history. It was first given to the Elven princess Idril. After she wed a man and bore a child, Eärendil, it was given to him. Eärendil was then the father to Elrond who, many fans know, isthe father of Arwen.
The sword was designed for horseback combat, with its shape continuous to its handle, allowing for swift, but heavy strikes. It was first used by Elrond in the Second Age during the War of the Last Alliance, which saw the fall of Sauron by the hands of Elves and Man. It makes sense because Elrond fought off Sauron’s great army – a throng, if you will – with Hadhafang in what proved to be a battle that would end a great war. However, an interesting thing to note is that the sword was never meant to be wielded by Elrond. In fact, some could argue that the sword was only ever supposed to be wielded by Arwen herself.
Hadhafang has an inscription written on the blade. The inscription roughly translates to: “This blade is called Hadhafang, a noble defense against the enemy throng for a noble lady.” Not only is it meant for a “noble lady”, but Arwen’s name literally translates to the same, “noble lady”. And although Arwen isn’t seen using her sword skills much in the films (or at all in the books), she uses Hadhafang when saving Frodo from the Ringwraiths. The group of Sauron’s servants could also be referred to as a “throng”. Meaning, although the sword was used throughout three Ages, it was always destined to be there to save Frodo, the carrier of the One Ring, even thoughArwen doesn’t use the sword at all!
What Are Some of the Other Elven Swords?
The Elven people used a variety of swords when in combat, depending on both their martial ranking and of which Elven community they belonged to. Perhaps the most popular Elven sword was the Lhang. The Lhang is a shortsword used primarily by High Elves. Its shape allows for swift motion, particularly a sweeping motion, that immobilizes their enemies and allows for a downward attack once they are ground-ridden.
The Elven Lord Sabre was onereserved for Elves of high martial rankingsin theLord of the Ringslore, as the name implies. The sword is technically what Hadhafang is, a curved blade with a short handle typically used on horseback because of its great weight and mobility.
The Wood-elven sabre is unique because it is much longer than most other swords and is either wielded two-handed or from behind a shield. While behind a shield, it’s utilized as more of a spear, working most effectively in stabbing and slashing movements to keep charging enemies at a greater distance.
