A Balrog is a fictional creature from J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, particularly known from the works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. These beings are described as powerful and malevolent, often associated with fire and shadow. Balrogs were originally Maiar, lesser divine spirits, who were corrupted by Morgoth, the first Dark Lord.
The most famous Balrog is known as Durin's Bane, which dwells in the depths of the Moria mines. It confronts the Fellowship of the Ring, showcasing its immense strength and fiery whip. Balrogs symbolize the destructive power of corruption and the struggle between good and evil in Tolkien's narratives.