Éowyn
Éowyn is a character in J.R.R.
Tolkien's *The Lord of the Rings*, a noblewoman of Rohan who disguises herself as a male warrior to fight in battle.
She famously slays the Witch-king of Angmar after declaring I am no man—exploiting a prophecy that no man could kill him.
The name has become shorthand for women defying gender restrictions in combat or other male-dominated spheres.
Female Norse combatant
- RohanMeans "ascending" (Sanskrit)
- MerryName suggesting gladness
- nieceSibling's female offspring
- ladyCourteous term for woman
Théoden · Faramir · princess · Tolkien · Middle-earth · daughter · disguise · golden
Spectral tyrant, ringwraith chief
- swordHilted fighting blade
- battleArmed military engagement
- courageFortitude facing danger
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
armor · helm · shield · slayer · Nazgûl · fearless · blade · horseback
Open resistance to authority
- cagedConfined by bars
- gloryExalted honor and praise
- agencyPower to act
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
restriction · rebellion · empowerment · gender · expectations · valor · strength · equality
shieldmaiden
Female Norse combatant
Théoden · Faramir · lady · princess · Tolkien · Middle-earth · daughter · disguise · golden · fair
Witch-king
Spectral tyrant, ringwraith chief
defiance · armor · helm · shield · slayer · Nazgûl · fearless · blade · horseback · war
defiance
Open resistance to authority
patriarchy · restriction · rebellion · empowerment · gender · expectations · valor · strength · equality · bravery
Faramir
renewal · recovery · marriage · hope · transformation · growth · nurturing · steward · happiness · wholeness