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In Tolkien's book Return of the King there is a moment when the orcs start to put white moons on their helmets as the heroes begin to win decisive victories. Saruman had white hands on his orcs helmets. Is the white moon a change in allegiance to the new white wizard, Gandalf the White? Because they fear him more than Sauron at that point?

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    No, those orcs are from Minas Morgul, which used to be Minas Ithil (or "Tower of the Moon").
    – Spencer
    Oct 31, 2016 at 21:02
  • @spencer You should write an answer. Oct 31, 2016 at 21:09
  • By this point all Saruman's orcs had been killed by the Ents, the Rohirrim or the Huorns. Oct 31, 2016 at 21:09
  • Not sure if I have to read a book or watch a movie to nail down the exact timing.
    – Spencer
    Oct 31, 2016 at 22:20

1 Answer 1

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The moon & skull is a symbol of Minas Morgul.

I believe this is only described once in LOTR (Book IV Ch. 8, The Stairs of Cirith Ungol):

Two liveries Sam noticed, one marked by the Red Eye, the other by a Moon disfigured with a ghastly face of death; but he did not stop to look more closely.

This is one artist's rendition:

Minas Morgul symbol

The moon is a reference to Minas Ithil, which means "Tower of the Moon," which was taken over by the Ringwraiths from the people of Gondor. The orcs stationed at Minas Morgul would have been using this symbol for many years. There was no change in orc loyalty during the events of LOTR.

The symbol is barely seen in the movie. This is the best shot I could find:

Minas Morgul banner

It can be seen when the armies of Minas Morgul are leaving the fortress. I'm not sure if it appears later in the movie.

Edit: The original cover of The Two Towers, drawn by Tolkien, sheds some light on what the symbol looks like. Minas Morgul is depicted:

Minas Morgul

However the symbol beneath it features a moon, but no "ghastly face of death". Perhaps this was the symbol of Minas Ithil that was modified when Sauron took it over. In any case, I think that it's a good basis for assuming that the moon on Morgul's symbol was indeed white, in Tolkien's mind.

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