Q: How Did Gandalf Become A White Wizard?
ANSWER: Tolkien attached little significance to the colors associated with the wizards in The Lord of the Rings, except that Saruman the White was deemed the chief of the Order of the Istari, and that when Gandalf was restored to life he became Gandalf the White. Hence, white is used to denote authority. There are several examples in the story of how J.R.R. Tolkien uses white in this way.
For example, when Frodo joins Aragorn at the base of Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien, he “beheld things as they once had been in this same place. For the grim years were removed from the face of Aragorn, and he seemed clothed in white, a young lord tall and fair; and he spoke words in the Elvish tongue to one whom Frodo could not see. Arwen vanimelda, namarië!” This event appears to be one of Frodo’s several “spiritual visions”, where he beholds things on a different level from what other people see.
As the Company of the Ring approach the tree where Celeborn and Galadriel await them, they see Elven guards wearing white cloaks.
When the Fellowship are presented to Celeborn and Galadriel, both he and she are “clad wholly in white”. As the Lord and Lady of the Galadrim and as members of the White Council they are among the chief leaders of the Eldar. The White Council is named for the color that represents authority as well.
When Gandalf is reunited with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli he bears a white staff.
On the other hand, Tolkien also uses white to denote purity of spirit. Eowyn is dressed in white when Gandalf and his companions first see her as she tends Theoden. She is also dressed in white on other occasions, as when she receives Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli just before they seek the Paths of the Dead; and as when she and Faramir begin to spend time together. There are several occasions where Frodo or Sam see with “other vision” and they behold figures in white, too.
But white may also be associated with death, as when the Barrow-wight attempts to sacrifice Frodo and his companions, dressing them in white rags; and as when Frodo sees the Nazgul in their “true” forms. In short, one must be careful about associating the colors in the story with anything in particular. Although some symbolism is inherent, the colors Tolkien mentions are not monosymbolic.
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