This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
“Mordor” has both a primary and a figurative modern meaning in the Ukrainian context, which is directly related to the definition of this word. The first is a fictional country from the world of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, the author of the cult fantasy “The Lord of the Rings.” The second is a modern figurative meaning that has particularly spread since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war. In this case, “Mordor” is ironically or disparagingly used to refer to Russia, drawing parallels between the aggressor state and the dark realm from Tolkien's books.
Mordor in Tolkien's Works
In the legendarium of John Tolkien, Mordor is a country in the east of Middle-earth, where the fortress of the Dark Lord Sauron is located.
It is here that Mount Orodruin (the Mountain of Doom, or Mount Doom) is situated, in the fires of which the One Ring was forged. Only in this very place could it be destroyed, which is why Mordor becomes the final destination of Frodo Baggins and Sam's journey.
Mordor is described as a harsh, almost lifeless land. Its landscapes consist of volcanic plains, ash, black rocks, and thick smoke. The sun is almost invisible through the clouds of ash, and most of the territory is under the control of Sauron and his army.
The most famous places in Mordor are:
- Bara-dûr — the main fortress of Sauron, also known as the Dark Tower.
- Orodruin (Mount Doom) — a volcano, in the crater of which Sauron forged the One Ring and where it was later destroyed.
- Moran-non — the Black Gate of Mordor, the main fortified entrance to the country.
- Minas Morgul — the former fortress of Gondor, which was captured by the Nazgûl and turned into one of the main strongholds of Sauron's forces.
Due to its grim image, Mordor has become one of the most recognized symbols of absolute evil in global popular culture.
The Origin of the Name “Mordor”
The name Mordor was created by Tolkien himself. It comes from the fictional Elvish language Sindarin:
- mor — “dark,” “black”;
- dor — “land,” “country.”
Thus, literally Mordor means “Black Land” or “Dark Land”.
This name very accurately conveys the atmosphere of the place — grim, scorched, and almost uninhabitable.
Why Russia is Called Mordor
After the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the word “Mordor” acquired a new figurative meaning.
In journalism, social media, memes, and even everyday speech, many Ukrainians began to refer to Russia as Mordor, drawing an analogy with Tolkien's world.
This comparison did not arise by chance. In Tolkien's novels, Mordor is a state that:
- conducts aggressive wars;
- seeks to conquer neighboring peoples;
- uses fear and violence as the main tool of power;
- devalues human life for the sake of achieving its own goals.
These very traits many people saw in the modern politics of Russia after the start of the war against Ukraine, especially after the full-scale invasion in 2022.
At the same time, it is important to understand that such use of the word is a political metaphor, not an official name or a widely recognized geographical term.
Why Russians are Called Orcs
Alongside the name “Mordor”, another comparison has emerged — Russian soldiers, and sometimes Russians in general, have begun to be called orcs.
In Tolkien's works, orcs are the brutal warriors of the Dark Lord, who unquestioningly follow orders, wage aggressive wars, destroy cities, and do not value human life. They are the main military force of Mordor and symbolize thoughtless violence, cruelty, and blind submission to authority.
It is due to these associations that after the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the word “orcs” became widely used as a derogatory nickname for Russian soldiers. Over time, this image became entrenched in Ukrainian media, social networks, memes, and everyday speech, and along with it, the comparison of Russia to Mordor spread.
This usage is metaphorical and reflects the emotional and symbolic perception of the war, rather than relating to the literal meaning of the word “orc” in fantasy. It is one of the most well-known examples of how images from literature transition into political and social vocabulary.
