What is an Istar in Lord of the Rings, explained
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power follows Middle-earth peoples we've met on screen before; Men, Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs, to name a few. It also introduces us to a new group in the Harfoots – and those aren't the only races featured in the prequel series...
In the Prime Video show's season 1 finale, we're briefly told 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. But what does 'Istar' mean, and who are they? Well, we get into it below. Spoilers feature in the breakdown, of course, so if you've not yet caught up with The Rings of Power, it's probably best to save this article for another time...
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 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.
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
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