What are The Ten Rings?
Updated: Aug 28, 2021
In the upcoming Marvel film, Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, we fans are finally introduced to the real Ten Rings after being duped by "The Mandarin" in Iron Man 3. Although it seems as if the MCU's version of the rings may be a little different. Let's dive in to what the Ten Rings really are.
In the comics, the Ten Rings are also known as "The Power Rings" or "The Ten Rings of Power". They were found by The Mandarin in China's "Valley of Spirits". It is said that the rings get their power from the dragon-like race, the Axonn-Karr. Although, to this day the rings' powers can not be explained by modern Earth science. The Mandarin uses the rings for his own personal use, and can control them over large distances. Each ring has it's own unique power - illustrated in this picture:
We can assume that the rings' origin may be the same or similar in Shang-Chi, but we do know for sure that the rings are worn and made differently in the MCU.
The rings are worn 5 on each arm like bands. They're all the same style, look, and color. They also seem to emit the same type of energy and work collectively rather than individually. As demonstrated in this picture, the rings can also be controlled while not being worn, and could even be thrown and used as a weapon on its own. Instead of the Mandarin, the rings are worn by Shang-Chi's father in the trailer. In Iron Man 3, we were introduced to The Ten Rings as a terrorist organization led by the Mandarin - but maybe the organization is really just the one that Shang-Chi seems to have run away from and led by his father.
In this Marvel One Shot video that takes place after Iron Man 3, we learn that there is a real Mandarin - and Slattery had no idea. This real Mandarin could potentially appear in Shang-Chi. You can watch the full version of the short here.
*The Marvel One Shot was also recently added to Disney+
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We won't know the true powers of the MCU's Ten Rings (terrorist group or ancient weapon) until Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings arrives only in theaters on September 3rd. Until then, read up about Shang-Chi on Marvel Unlimited and experience his top 10 titular stories in preparation for his MCU debut!
What are you most excited to see from the film, and do you think we will see the Mandarin?
