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Doors of Durin

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Password Into Moria by Ted Nasmith.
"Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen."
(Gate of the Elves, open now for me)

The Doors of Durin, also known as the West-gate or West-door of Moria, were built into the Walls of Moria in the dark cliffs of the Silvertine, and formed the western entrance to the great Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm.



The entrance to Khazad-dûm was the Great Gates in Dimrill Dale, east of the Misty Mountains. During the Second Age, it was decided to open a way to the west side of the Silvetine, which would facilitate contact and cooperation with the Elven Kingdom of Hollin.[1]

The Doors were constructed in cooperation of Dwarves and Elves, sometime between S.A. 750 and 1500.[2] It was the two greatest craftsmen of the Second Age, the Elf-lord Celebrimbor and the dwarf Narvi, built the Doors.[1]



In T.A. 2845 Gandalf visited Moria and exited through the Doors from the inside.

In T.A. 2994, Balin's Colony was attacked by an onslaught of orcs. Óin led a group west, hoping to escape through the Doors of Durin, but the Watcher in the Water killed him. The Dwarves were locked in until wiped out.


The Company of the Ring entered Moria through the Doors, but Gandalf could not find out the password to open them. Merry Brandybuck unknowingly gave Gandalf the answer by asking, "What does it mean by speak, friend, and enter?" When Gandalf realized that "Mellon", which means "friend" in Sindarin, would open the door he sprang up, laughed, and spoke the word. Shortly thereafter, the Watcher in the Water attacked the Fellowship and shut the Doors behind them.[1]




When visible, the fine silver-like inlay showed a hammer and anvil (the emblems of Durin), a crown and Seven Stars (probably Durin's Crown), two trees surmounted by crescent moons, and a single star (the emblem of the House of Feanor). On the top left and right corners there were the tengwar Calma (C) and Óre (N) standing for Celebrimbor and Narvi.

The inscription on the archivolt read:


The inscription was stating the password that would cause the Doors to swing open.

An Inconsistency


