Have you ever wondered where Gandalf the Grey and his later form, Gandalf the White, got their iconic staffs, and whether these staffs gave wizards in The Lord of the Rings their power?
While Tolkien’s world may revolve around the humble Hobbits and their adventures, Gandalf is the real guiding force behind the key events of Middle-earth. Even Aragorn, the future king, suggests that Gandalf was the true mastermind behind Sauron’s downfall, deserving the highest praise for defeating the Dark Lord. As we read through the stories, it becomes clear that Gandalf’s influence is ever-present.
But fans have long been curious—where does Gandalf’s power come from, and what role does his staff play in that power? Here’s everything we know about the significance of Gandalf’s staff.
How did Gandalf get his staff in The Lord of the Rings?
It’s a bit of a mystery where Gandalf got his first staff. The brown wooden staff he carries in The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring serves as more than just a walking stick. It’s a symbol of his authority as a wizard, and it channels his magical power. When that staff is destroyed in his epic battle against the Balrog in The Two Towers, Gandalf is reborn as Gandalf the White. He later receives a new white staff from Lady Galadriel in Lothlórien.
In Tolkien’s world, a wizard’s staff isn’t just a magical tool—it’s a key marker of their role and power in Middle-earth. When Saruman’s betrayal is uncovered, and Gandalf returns as the leader of the order of wizards, his power visibly grows. During the confrontation at Isengard after the Battle of Helm’s Deep, Saruman tries to control the group with his voice, but Gandalf easily resists. With a commanding gesture and words, Gandalf breaks Saruman’s staff, symbolically stripping him of his power.
“He raised his hand, and spoke slowly in a clear cold voice. ‘Saruman, your staff is broken.’ There was a crack, and the staff split asunder in Saruman’s hand, and the head of it fell down at Gandalf’s feet. ‘Go!’ said Gandalf.” — The Two Towers, Chapter 10, “The Voice of Saruman”
When Saruman reappears later in The Return of the King, he’s powerless, confirming that a wizard’s staff is more than just a conduit for magic—it represents their very standing and authority. The Maiar (the powerful beings wizards are part of) may be strong, but their power can be stripped if they stray from their purpose.
Interestingly, Gandalf’s name itself hints at the importance of his staff. Tolkien drew inspiration from Old Norse mythology, where “Gandálfr” means “staff-elf,” further emphasizing how central the staff is to the identity and power of Gandalf and his fellow wizards, the Istari.