The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Guarded by the Black Gate of the Morannon after Sauron's occupation of Mordor, c. II 1000
Location
The northwestern extent of Mordor, at the point where the ranges of Ephel Dúath and Ered Lithui came together
Settlements
Guarded by the Towers of the Teeth, Narchost and Carchost, on either side of the pass
Pronunciation
ki'rith go'rrgorr ('rr' indicates that the 'r' sounds in the word Gorgor should be distinctly pronounced)
Meaning
Translated as 'Haunted Pass'1
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 8 June 2019
  • Updates planned: 1

Cirith Gorgor

The Haunted Pass

Map of Cirith Gorgor

Called the Haunted Pass, the point where the mountain ranges of Ered Lithui and Ephel Dúath met, to the northwest of Mordor. It was sealed by the Black Gate of the Morannon, and guarded by the Towers of the Teeth.


Notes

1

The Elvish name Cirith Gorgor is universally translated as the 'Haunted Pass', but this is not the name's strictly literal meaning. Gorgor derives from gor, 'dread, horror', here duplicated for emphasis. So, absolutely literally the name means 'Pass of Dread-dread', or more colloquially 'Pass of Great Dread'. The derivation of the name must surely connect it to the Plateau of Gorgoroth, the wasteland of Mordor behind the mountains, to which the pass of Cirith Gorgor led.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 8 June 2019
  • Updates planned: 1

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