The Rings of Power: Durin – the problem with the dwarven name

• Both father and son are called Durin by the dwarves in “The Rings of Power”.
• What significance does the name have for the rulers of Khazad-dum?
• Can there be only one or several Durins?

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For the dwarves, Durin is an enormously important and historic name. Only certain dwarves destined for greatness can bear the name of Durin. In “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” there are two. Durin III. and his son Durin IV. How does this fit with the legend of the first Durin and progenitor of the dwarves?

Durin the Immortal

After creating the dwarves, the Vala of Earth and Blacksmithing Aule put them to sleep in pairs under the mountains. Nur Durin, the only one of the dwarf fathers, slept alone. Upon awakening, he traversed the wilderness of Middle-earth until he discovered the Mirror Lake in the Misty Mountains.

There his destiny to become the founder and ruler of the dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dum was revealed to him. He then founded the dwarf house of Durin and is still considered the most important of the dwarf progenitors and ancestor of the royal house of the dwarves of Erebor.

Durin lived extremely long, even for a dwarf. So long that he still bore the title “the immortal” or “the sleepy one” during his lifetime. He finally died towards the end of the First Age.

According to legend, Durin I is always reborn in the body of eminent dwarves. However, this is only possible six times. Therefore there is no other king of this name after Durin VII. Then why are there 2 dwarves in “The Rings of Power”, a king and his son and successor, named Durin?

The two Durins under the mountain

During the Second Age, Durin III reigns. about the flourishing dwarven kingdom of Khazad-Dum. As the direct successor of his father Durin II, he was also considered a reincarnation of Durin I because of his appearance. His son and heir also bears the name Durin and is to become the next ruler as Durin IV. A dialogue between father and son in the 7th episode of “The Rings of Power” tells us more why the son is called Durin.

Durin III. tells his son the story of his birth. He was so ill that his father had to warm him up by the fireplace for days. But when, after a period of worry and grief, he looked again into the boy’s face, he saw before him a magnificent dwarf beard and a strong face. The father apparently took this as a sign that it must be a (re)incarnation of the very first Durin.

Crucial to the legend of Durin’s recurring rebirth is that a dwarf bore his traits and embodied the progenitor’s strength and wisdom from birth. For the dwarves, it was no mere title to be earned or inherited.

It was considered a “divine” sign when their ancestor was reborn in the new body. According to legend, the spirit of the first Durin “sleeps” and then returns to Middle-earth in a new body forged by Aule.

A durin in two bodies?

This belief clashes with the simultaneous appearance of two Durins in the series. Because in order to be reborn, the “old reincarnation” of Durin actually has to die first. But since the dwarfs are very long-lived, this fact can be explained as follows.

If at birth a dwarf prince bears the traits and inner fires of Durin, he is “chosen” as his next reincarnation, even if the current Durin, ie his father, is still alive. After the death of the father, Durin is then transferred as the next reincarnation into the new body of the child who has already been born. This brings together the lineage of the Durin and its royalty in such a way that the two are inextricably linked.

Like all kings from Durin II onwards, the dwarves regard Durin IV as a reincarnation of Durin I with the same name. A bit confusing, but basically the dwarves make it very easy for themselves here and always project the new “Durin versions” onto the next heir of the current king.

Since the dwarves tend to be more practical and pragmatic in nature, it would be quite fitting for them not to completely rewrite their beliefs and legends and adapt them to “reality” a bit. With Durin VI. is to end this tradition and the devastation of Moria by the Balrog. To this day, the dwarves are waiting for the last reincarnation of Durin as if for a prophet who will help them regain their old glory days and new glory.

On October 14, 2022, the finale of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” season 1 awaits us in the Amazon Prime Video news program. But don’t worry, supplies have already been taken care of: “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” season 2 is already being filmed!