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One smaller point that also lends credence to symbolism in the story, is the use of numbers in the Lord of the Rings.
1, 3, 7 and 9 [3x3] are often employed by Tolkien to denote something of importance from a good and divine perspective; or possibly evil point.
Tolkien mentioned he didn't like any type of meaning hunting in his story;
So in mentioning numbers, this is not trying to explain how the quantities represent something but show that the use of these particular numbers is important because they are of biblical and philosophical origins. And they are used repeatedly throughout the story.
Tolkien was a great admirer of the philosophy of Dante. He once said,
" I would not dream of being compared with the supreme poet Dante. " [M&M p.100].
At the beginning of the novel, the Ring verse introduces the first use of the numbers 3, 7, 9 and 1
" Three Rings
for the Elven-kings under the sky, |
Seven for the Dwarf-lords
in their halls of stone, |
nine for Mortal Men
doomed to die, |
One for the Dark Lord
on his dark throne |
In the land of Mordor
where shadows lie. |
One Ring to rule them
all, One Ring to find them, |
One Ring to bring them
all and in the darkness bind them |
In the land of Mordor
where shadows lie. " |
This is also specifically shown in the old lore and rythme of Gondor quoted by Gandalf:
" Tall ships and
tall Kings |
Three times three, |
What brought they from
the foundered land |
Over the flowing sea? |
Seven stars and seven
stones |
And one white tree.
" |
Once again, 3, 7, 1 and 9 are dominant quantities in Middle-earth. There were Nine ships that escaped from Númenor before its destruction [three times three].
Below is a list of the use of these numbers:
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This last number and age of Frodo is very indicative of Tolkien's thoughts as it is the age of Christ when He undegoes His Passion and dies on the Cross. When receiving the ring Frodo begins his long passion and suffering which will finally be accomplished with him leaving for the Undying Lands.
Part of Dante's philosophical description of Hell has 9 levels [ref]. If is interesting that Tolkien's evil Riders are of the order of Nine and possibly reflect this philosophical belief [Dante].
Also of note are the Nine Ships [three times three] that escaped from the destruction of Númenor and the subsequent appearance there after of the Nine Númenorean Kings who were seduced by Sauron and eventually became the Nine Riders. It is almost as if Tolkien is saying that upon each ship there was one who betrayed them.
