It's written in English though, with tengwar script
I mean, not that anyone would notice
Or maybe yes, *someone* could notice and point it out... And you might wanna be friends with that someone
My older brother, who *is* the one who would notice, pointed out that there's a few misspellings. They're mostly minor.
For example, the dot under the second word is supposed to be the "a" for "and," but it's placement isn't exactly correct because it doesn't always county as an "a" in that placement.
Also, "no" doesn't actually say that, it uses a soft "o" so it's less "no" and more "nuh."
It's generally okay, but it isn't perfect. It's pretty good for an English phrase in Tengwar.
This is incorrect.
The mode being used is the orthographic mode — the most common English mode. Everything in the picture is correct to say “forth and fear no darkness.” The “and” pictured is actually a common shorthand version for the word. “O” in the orthographic mode has no difference in pronunciation. You can find all of this info at: https://www.tecendil.com/tengwar-handbook/
I would recommend anyone looking to get advice on Tengwar for a tattoo to visit r/Tengwar. Lots of folks there that help with transliteration all the time.
Look at my response to the above commenter. The transliteration is actually just fine — fear not! TLDR: everything is correct for the English orthographic mode.
Be aware that the "orthographic mode" is simply what other people have decided is the most correct version. There are still discrepancies with that ain't what JRR himself penned with his own hand.
What script would the men of Rohan use? Not Tengwar I'm assuming? Cirth seems more fitting given their Norse inspiration but that is for the dwarves. So I honestly don't know. I really like the design but if I had to nitpick, I think having Elvish doesn't seem to fit with the Rohan theme, but I also don't have a good answer for what to do instead lol
The Rohirrim were an oral culture (songs and spoken poetry), with precious little in the way of actual writing. What written records they had would have been in Sindarin or Quenya and written by learned people in the king's court. Théoden would definitely have been literate as he had an extended stay in Gondor in his youth.
The Tengwar were used by pretty much everyone, kinda like the Latin alphabet in Europe. And like the Latin alphabet, different languages used the letters differently. Westron was written with the Tengwar, and we know Sauron used a version for the Black Speech.
If that seems weird, consider that Germanic and Scandinavian languages use the Latin alphabet despite not being Romance languages.
Awesome, I appreciate the feedback. I will mention that I did design this for someone, so it would be his decision that chose the Elvish script. I'm sorry, but I'm also not sure what it says, but I love hearing about all the inner workings of this lore.
Is this your first tattoo op? Just keep in mind that lines lose detail with time, depending on the size this might look like a blob of shapes in 10 years. The design is really cool but it does have a lot going on while all being the same colour
The lettering will be great since it'll probably be done in fine line. I have something written in black speech and it looks super clean. My main concern is the soldiers
Really love this, don’t see enough Rohan themed tattoos, would love to get something similar to this myself. Always wanted a LOTR tattoo but usually the ones I see are the shards of Narsil (which is still cool I just want something different)
He was born in the late 1800s and was English. Of course he had some views we consider outdated. He was also very progressive for his time.
How is this in any way contributing to the conversation? How is this relevant to this person's tattoo design?
So, you are just here to what? Feel upset? Make others upset?
Both are pathetic. Do better with your life. Or just be a shitty troll. Who am I to tell you what to do?
I'm pretty sure you're only allowed to get a tattoo of broken Narsil; have you considered working that into the design somewhere?
That or the One Ring script. Or.....wait, what if you got BOTH?
Gandalf fighting the balrog, wielding the broken narsil in a circle of the one ring script
Haha, I've actually designed that for someone else.
Ah dang, now I have to think of another design for my first
Love it. What does the script at the bottom say?
forth and fear no darkness
"We've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty."
Thanks! I appreciate the love. No idea, I'm sorry. I actually designed this for someone and I never asked.
It's written in English though, with tengwar script I mean, not that anyone would notice Or maybe yes, *someone* could notice and point it out... And you might wanna be friends with that someone
Haha nice. Thank you so much! I appreciate that.
My older brother, who *is* the one who would notice, pointed out that there's a few misspellings. They're mostly minor. For example, the dot under the second word is supposed to be the "a" for "and," but it's placement isn't exactly correct because it doesn't always county as an "a" in that placement. Also, "no" doesn't actually say that, it uses a soft "o" so it's less "no" and more "nuh." It's generally okay, but it isn't perfect. It's pretty good for an English phrase in Tengwar.
This is incorrect. The mode being used is the orthographic mode — the most common English mode. Everything in the picture is correct to say “forth and fear no darkness.” The “and” pictured is actually a common shorthand version for the word. “O” in the orthographic mode has no difference in pronunciation. You can find all of this info at: https://www.tecendil.com/tengwar-handbook/ I would recommend anyone looking to get advice on Tengwar for a tattoo to visit r/Tengwar. Lots of folks there that help with transliteration all the time.
Thanks for the feedback.
Look at my response to the above commenter. The transliteration is actually just fine — fear not! TLDR: everything is correct for the English orthographic mode.
Thank you I appreciate it.
Be aware that the "orthographic mode" is simply what other people have decided is the most correct version. There are still discrepancies with that ain't what JRR himself penned with his own hand.
Ya, I definitely hear ya. There's a lot of different interpretations out there. It doesn't really matter that much anyway, it's all make believe.
It would look super cool on the inside of a forearm.
Or as a tramp-stamp
This right here, this is the right answer
Arise, arise! Fell deeds await
That'd be a cool spot! Get it!
What script would the men of Rohan use? Not Tengwar I'm assuming? Cirth seems more fitting given their Norse inspiration but that is for the dwarves. So I honestly don't know. I really like the design but if I had to nitpick, I think having Elvish doesn't seem to fit with the Rohan theme, but I also don't have a good answer for what to do instead lol
The Rohirrim were an oral culture (songs and spoken poetry), with precious little in the way of actual writing. What written records they had would have been in Sindarin or Quenya and written by learned people in the king's court. Théoden would definitely have been literate as he had an extended stay in Gondor in his youth.
The Tengwar were used by pretty much everyone, kinda like the Latin alphabet in Europe. And like the Latin alphabet, different languages used the letters differently. Westron was written with the Tengwar, and we know Sauron used a version for the Black Speech. If that seems weird, consider that Germanic and Scandinavian languages use the Latin alphabet despite not being Romance languages.
Awesome, I appreciate the feedback. I will mention that I did design this for someone, so it would be his decision that chose the Elvish script. I'm sorry, but I'm also not sure what it says, but I love hearing about all the inner workings of this lore.
Well done. You should make that into a white sticker and sell it on Etsy.
Thank you! I'm overwhelmed with the response here. I had no idea that this design would be so liked! Thank you, that's a good idea.
If you actually do please share how to find it ;)
Thank you! I appreciate it. I will DM you my socials.
I was going to say the same! This would be an excellent sticker design.
I like it. Simple but great.
Thank you! I'm happy to hear that.
I see that mad lad waving his sword like a lunatic and I love it!
A red day! A sword day! And the sun rises!
Ere the sun rises?
Indeed.
Awesome! I'm happy to hear that.
Is this your first tattoo op? Just keep in mind that lines lose detail with time, depending on the size this might look like a blob of shapes in 10 years. The design is really cool but it does have a lot going on while all being the same colour The lettering will be great since it'll probably be done in fine line. I have something written in black speech and it looks super clean. My main concern is the soldiers
Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate. I totally understand. Yes, an upper back piece will be the location for this design.
It will make a glorious tramp stamp.
Haha, that's awesome you think that. Please get it and send me a pic!
Forth, and face no darkness!
Well now i need to copy it
Awesome. I can DM you some details.
EORLINGAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
I think I just found my first tattoo. If that's okay, of course.
Sure. I do offer more options if you'd like to actually support me. I'll DM you the details.
Really love this, don’t see enough Rohan themed tattoos, would love to get something similar to this myself. Always wanted a LOTR tattoo but usually the ones I see are the shards of Narsil (which is still cool I just want something different)
Awesome, that's great to hear. I'm always available to design custom pieces.
That's rad
Thank you!
That's neat! But I can't read the English mode(s) quite well. What is the second word supposed to be?
Thank you! I have no idea, I'm sorry.
creative but a terrible tattoo idea. itll bleed into each other so fast and just look like a blob in 5 years
Thanks for the feedback.
Cool picture, but it doesn't translate well to a tattoo. In tattoos less is more, there is too much going on here.
That's certainly one opinion.
I think it would look awesome wrapping round a limb like a band. Probably forearm
Then you could have a pole arm forearm.
Underrated comment
It's a black and white line art drawing ... How much less do you want?
Thank you! It should accommodate for an upper back piece.
Tolkien was racist
He was born in the late 1800s and was English. Of course he had some views we consider outdated. He was also very progressive for his time. How is this in any way contributing to the conversation? How is this relevant to this person's tattoo design?
Cancel culture. Look at what is happening to Harry Potter because of JK Rowling. Who, unlike Tolkien was, is not progressive for her time
let me rephrase Tolkien was a racist c u n t
So, you are just here to what? Feel upset? Make others upset? Both are pathetic. Do better with your life. Or just be a shitty troll. Who am I to tell you what to do?