Mirkwood

Mirkwood is a vast, dark forest in J.R.R.

Tolkien's Middle-earth, home to giant spiders, wood-elves, and an encroaching evil.

The name combines *mirk* (an archaic word for darkness or gloom) with *wood*.

In broader fantasy usage, Mirkwood has become shorthand for any ancient, dangerous forest where light barely penetrates: The hiking trail led into a stretch of old-growth that felt like Mirkwood.

Tolkien

forest

Tree-dense ecosystem

BilboSlim dueling sword
elvesMythical small beings
spidersWeb-spinning eight-legged creatures

Thranduil · Smaug · Middle-earth · enchanted · dark · path · Legolas · barrels · feast · lost

setting

darkness

Total absence of light

ancientVery old indeed
forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
canopyOverhead protective covering

gloom · twisted · oppressive · haunted · labyrinthine · cursed · sunless · tangled · ominous · atmospheric

creatures

squirrels

Bushy-tailed nut gatherers

black mothsDark-winged nocturnal insects
batsFlying nocturnal mammals
butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness

Shelob · webs · nests · venomous · prey · cocoon · lurking · swarm · chittering · eyes

Mirkwood

forest

darkness

squirrels

Mirkwood

Opposites

Categories

Family