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above: spiral forms in Lothlorien, Rivendell, on the crown of Galadriel, on the bow of Legolas, the sword of Arwen at Bruinen. Circle forms in the one ring and the Eye.
Keynotes: spirals Signify interconnection, rising aspirations, spiritual ascendency, openness (the spiral is an opened circle), seeking beyond, heroism, sanctuary (Lothlorien and Rivendell are sanctuarys of the spiral).
Above all the spiral is opposed to the circle. It is not closed bu it open, rising. It suggests progress, ascendency and furthering of the quest. The hero encounters spirals when healing is needed or the quest has gone off track. An encounter with the spiral (such as standing before the crown of Galadriel) reestablishes connections (with courage, spirit, resolve) and reopens the path beyond the restrictions imposed by evil. You will find spirals near water in Fellowship (Lothlorien and Rivendell) and in the spiralling waters of the Bruinen as they swamp the Nazgul. The spiral form is closely aligned to the spiralling currents of water.
The spiral also signifies hidden powers. We see the spiral on the brow of Galadriel but we don't know how she sees inside our real intentions.
Signify, closed form, encirclement, no possibility of release, absorption, control and containement. The ring and the eye are of the same form. The circle would trap us, hold us with no possibility of escape or ascension. We would go round and round. Boromir is tempted by the ring but he is also trapped, condemned to replay again and again the obsession. The Nazgul encircle the fellowship at weathertop. The Nazgul again encircle the beds in Bree before stabbing them. The circle refers to the oraboros or serpent swallowing it's tail. The circle form in Fellowship signifies also evil trying to consume itself to become more potent. The ring snakes it's way over midle earth to be reconsumed by the eye, to close the circle.
Scene example: Frodo lifts Sam from the Anduin
In a climactic scene Frodo lifts Sam from the river Anduin and allows his servant to join his quest.
Sam links with Frodo hand to wrist not hand to hand. Frodo's hand twists to Sams wrist making a reference to the spiral. This is going to be a special connection which is going to lead both on a higher path. Their quest will interlink both an inner and an outer ordeal for the pair
Fellowship of the Ring is full of battles between circles and spirals.
Places you can see the theme of spirals v circles on this site: |
