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14 Signs We May Actually Live In Middle-Earth

Are we all just hobbits on this unexpected journey called life? Get your own piece of (definitely real) Middle-earth with New Zealand Post.

New Zealand Post
by New Zealand Post

Brand Publisher

1. Majestic beards are everywhere.

iulia Pironea (CC BY-ND http://2.0) / Via Flickr: iulia-pironea

Dwarven-like facial hair is suspiciously popular.

2. And these bearded men smoke from wooden pipes.

Courtesy of the-alternatist.tumblr.com

A popular Nicotiana among hobbits, pipe-weed is also popular here. Definitely a sign.

3. Going barefoot is a way of life for many on "Normal-earth."

maira.gall (CC BY-ND http://2.0) / Via Flickr: mairag

Just like in Middle-earth.

4. We have second breakfast and elevenses.

Warner Bros. / Via spacecadet.tumblr.com

It's called "brunch."

5. You can live in a small, grassy house if you want to.

CGP Grey (CC BY http://2.0) / Via CGPGrey.com / Flickr: cgpgrey

Or even a tree house.

6. Sometimes, unlikely alliances are formed.

cheezburger.com

Though why anyone would make an alliance with a dragon is a true mystery.

7. Some among us have woolly toes.

whatleydude (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: whatleydude

(Neatly brushed.)

8. The lucky ones among us are protected by small shirts of mail.

istolethetv (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: istolethetv

The beauty of Pug's mithril shall not tarnish or grow dim.

9. Fireworks are an infinite source of joy.

nat123-blog.tumblr.com

A party is not a party until Gandalf's whizzpoppers start.

10. And wizards are definitely among us.

Jocelyn Kinghorn (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: joceykinghorn

See?! This is the Christchurch Wizard and his apprentice, and he is very real.

11. Skin-changers are real too, probably.

Discovery Channel / Via headlikeanorange.tumblr.com

That you, Beorn?

12. We're obsessed with home-brewed ale.

Photo © 2009 J. Ronald Lee (CC BY http://2.0) / jronaldlee.com / Flickr: jronaldlee

Home-brewed ale is everything. And everywhere.

13. And we're obsessed with rings.

whatshouldwecallme.tumblr.com

And gold, and diamonds, and other precious treasures.

14. See? We told you. Middle-earth is real, and we are in it.

Thinkstock / Florian Bugiel (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: bugie

To celebrate the final of Sir Peter Jackson's epic trilogy of films The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, New Zealand Post has issued an official Bag End stamp, and a legal tender commemorative coin that features an actual piece of Middle-earth!