Nine Rings of Power were given to the race of Men in The Lord of the Rings films. Sauron distributed these rings to powerful human rulers, who gained long life and influence before eventually falling under the One Ring’s domination.
The nine human bearers became the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths, Sauron’s terrifying servants. Their transformation illustrates one of the central dangers of the Rings of Power: gifts that appear to grant strength or status ultimately become instruments of control.
The number is often confused with the other principal groups of rings. Seven were given to the Dwarves, three to the Elves, and one—the One Ring—was secretly forged by Sauron for domination. Together these numbers are remembered in the famous ring-giving scheme: three, seven, nine, and one.