Editing Gandalf (section)

=== Valinor ===

In [[Valinor]], Gandalf, a [[Maiar|Maia]], was named ''Olórin'',<ref name="Istari" group=T/> one of the people of the Vala [[Manwë (Middle-earth)|Manwë]], and the wisest of the Maiar. He was closely associated with two other Valar: Irmo, in whose gardens he lived, and [[Nienna]], the patron of mercy, who gave him tutelage. When the Valar decided to send the [[Wizard (Middle-earth)|Wizards (Istari)]] across the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] to [[Middle-earth]] to assist those who opposed [[Sauron]], Manwë proposed Olórin. Olórin initially begged to be excused, declaring he was too weak and feared Sauron; Manwë replied that that was all the more reason for him to go.<ref name="Istari" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980|loc=part 4, ch. 2, "The Istari"}}</ref>

As a Maia, Gandalf was an angelic being in human form, in service to the Creator ([[Eru Ilúvatar]]) and the Creator's '[[Secret Fire]]'. He took on the specific form of an old man as a sign of his [[humility]]. His role was to advise but never to attempt to match Sauron's strength. It might be, too, that the lords of Middle-earth would be more receptive to the advice of a humble old man.<ref name="Istari" group=T/>