The 'You Shall Not Pass' meme originates from the 2001 film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. In this pivotal scene, the wizard Gandalf stands his ground against the demonic Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm to save his companions. While the original text in Tolkien's novel reads 'You cannot pass,' actor Ian McKellen's cinematic delivery became the version that conquered the internet. The meme is universally used to signal an immovable object, a strict refusal, or a dramatic standoff in both serious and humorous contexts, making it one of the most enduring templates in digital culture.