The Rings of Power Explained: What Does Udûn Mean?

Orcs constantly repeated the word “Udûn” in the latest The Rings of Power episode, but the story didn’t explain what it meant.

Interestingly, the name of The Rings of Power Episode 6 itself was “Udûn” and featured some exciting developments in Middle-earth. Let’s get a closer look at that peculiar word and what it means for Galadriel and the others. Unless you possess some knowledge of the universe invented by J.R.R. Tolkien, do not keep reading further if you don’t wish to come across some big spoilers.

What Does Udûn Mean?

Udûn is a word that literally means “Hell” in Sindarin, the fictional elvish language. It stands for different things in the Lord of the Rings universe. The Elves invented the word to refer to Morgoth’s stronghold before the First Age, also known as Utumno. The fallen Ainur built the fortress following his first arrival in Arda. It quickly became home to legions of demons, including the fearsome Balrogs. The Elves promptly learned to fear that place where many of their kind were held as prisoners. Morgoth also corrupted some of the prisoners and transformed them into the first Orcs. Ultimately, the stronghold was destroyed by the Valar when they waged war on Morgoth, who ended up chained and was brought to Valinor.

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Once Sauron took over the Southlands, he renamed a valley in the northwest of Mordor as Udûn. The story doesn’t clearly say it, but the latest The Rings of Power installment showed how Mordor became the dark land. The valley was pivotal due to its geographical position. Considering its importance, Sauron built the main entrance into the land of Mordor there. Its name in Sindarin is Morannon, but common people know it as the Black Gate. Everyone who wanted to get into Mordor had to pass through the iron gate. The Black Gate appeared several times in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, ranging from Frodo and Sam’s first attempt to get past it to Aragorn calling out Sauron in front of it. The upcoming The Rings of Power episodes will likely show how Sauron built it at first.

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Jackson’s trilogy mentions Udûn during the epic battle between Gandalf and the Balrog in Moria. Right before he clashed with Durin’s Bane, the wizard referred to the creature as flame of Udûn. What Gandalf meant was to indicate the Balrog’s ancient home in Morgoth’s stronghold.

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