So Do Balrogs Have Wings or Not? — Lord of the Rings’ Oldest Debate Explained

"You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dûm. Shadow and Flame." Those words, spoken by Saruman the White, are the first mention of the demonic Balrog named Durin's Bane in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. And when the Fellowship finally arrives at the mines of Moria, they end up coming face to face with the Balrog, which is depicted as a massive figure composed of flames and darkness with two massive wings. But those wings have been the subject of much debate amongThe Lord of the Ringsfans, as some believe that Balrogs actually possess wings while others think it's just a figure of speech.