What's the difference between a Maia and a member of the Istari?

Question

I've visited many sites searching this, but haven't found any clear answers. Can somebody please explain what's the difference between a Maia and an Istari? And also, what's the singular form of Istari? Is it Istar?

Does this answer your question? Are the Maiar more powerful than the Istari? — Mithoron, Nov 15 '20 at 20:51

score 9 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 17 '20 at 13:25

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I think you've made a category error.

The Istari are Maiar, as discussed in Part Four, chapter I, "The Istari" in Unfinished Tales. They are five individual members of that group who were given a specific task and sent to Middle-earth.

And yes, the singular is "Istar".

edited Nov 17 '20 at 13:25

chepner

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answered Nov 15 '20 at 18:08

Daniel Roseman

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Can you provide some textual confirmation of this? – Valorum Nov 15 '20 at 18:25
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The answer would be greatly improved if the limitations faced by the Maiar who have accepted to be Istari were explained a little more. – Ginasius Nov 15 '20 at 19:31
@Ginasius https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/217996 – OrangeDog Nov 15 '20 at 20:00

What's the difference between a Maia and a member of the Istari?

1 Answers1