Nature is everywhere lit up with gold. Golden light appears through trees, shimmers on leaves and picks out the elves themselves. The lady herself wears a crown of gold. Gold is a reference to spirituality. The presence of Gold painted onto nature tells of another aspect, a spiritual play within and behind the scenes. We can see that there is something deep in the woods. The elves connect nature and spirit. They live in the golden light, somewhere between the material and spiritual dimension.

The film has only a short period of time to portray Lothlorien as a spiritual place and so it draws a wide range of reference to make the point without labouring it. There is no time for any character to give a lengthy exposition of Elvish lore. Quick imagery is used to press the point. Apart from the golden light Jackson paints the scene with bridges. Bridges between the ground and higher levels and bridges over the waters. Here we learn that the Elves are a bridge between nature and spirit.

We can draw the conclusions about the spirit of Lothlorien because we have a heritage of recognising some of the devices Jackson is using. One striking parallel is with some of high renaissance painting. Take a look at Botticelli’s venus.

In this famous painting we can see nature lit up by golden hues and the central figure of the Venus seems to radiate a Golden essence.

As does Galadriel

Bridges and golden light both convey that Lothlorien is a haven of nature and a spiritual ground. Though it is a place of great stillness it is also a spiritually busy place,a bridge point to the world beyond. At its centre is the Lady of the Wood. Galadriel radiates golden light from within, the source of the spirit in the nature around her. The realisation of Galadriel is possibly the finest achievement of Jackson’s film.