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'''Cosmology''' is the structure of the universe, its creation, and divinities.  
'''Cosmology''' is the structure of the universe, its creation, and divinities.  
[[File:Pascal Yung - Blind to the West.jpg|thumb|left|125px|Pascal Yung - ''Blind to the West'']]
[[File:Pascal Yung - Blind to the West.jpg|thumb|left|125px|Pascal Yung - ''Blind to the West'']]
[[Eä]] was created by [[Eru Ilúvatar]] and the [[Valar]] in the [[Ainulindalë]]. Within it, there is [[Arda]], the world, with its geography and such physical features as the layers of the atmosphere, the [[Vista]], and above it, [[Ilmen]] and [[Vaiya]]. Above, it was [[Menel]] with the [[stars]] and [[constellations]].
[[Eä]] was created by [[Eru Ilúvatar]] and the [[Valar]] in the [[Ainulindalë]]. Within Eä there is [[Arda]], the earth.  


The landmasses of Arda were encircled by [[Ekkaia]] the Outer Sea, and the [[Walls of Night]].
It is told that in its beginning, Arda was a flat earth surrounded by air and water. Above all the lands of Arda was [[Vista]], the lowermost airs where the birds fly. None could pass beyond Vista save for the servants of Manwë and those to whom he grants this ability. Surrounding Vista were the airs of [[Ilmen]], the upper airs where the [[Stars|stars]] were set. The air in [[Valinor]] consisted of Ilmen's airs. Beyond Ilmen was [[Ekkaia]], the globed Encircling Sea which surrounds Arda on all its sides. It is said that the waters of Ekkaia were more alike to air in the regions farthest above the earth, and alike to water beneath the earth. Only [[Ulmo]] and his servants could traverse these waters. Beyond the Encircling Sea there is naught but the [[Void|Outer Void]].<ref>{{SM|Ambar}} p. 235-240</ref>


The [[Ainur]] govern the world under [[Ilúvatar|Eru]]'s mandate.
The [[Ainur]] govern the world under [[Ilúvatar|Eru]]'s mandate.
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Arda was first brought into existence with the [[Music of the Ainur]], for the purpose of creating a home for the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]. Ilúvatar appointed the [[Valar]] as its masters, and was built mainly by [[Manwe]], [[Aule]] and [[Ulmo]]. They invented its geography, for at the time it was largely without feature and gave it symmetry and form. But then [[Morgoth|Melkor]] wanted Arda for himself, and the two sides engaged in the titanic [[First War]] where [[Arda Marred|Arda was marred]] and its plan was altered.<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref>
Arda was first brought into existence with the [[Music of the Ainur]], for the purpose of creating a home for the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]. Ilúvatar appointed the [[Valar]] as its masters, and was built mainly by [[Manwe]], [[Aule]] and [[Ulmo]]. They invented its geography, for at the time it was largely without feature and gave it symmetry and form. But then [[Morgoth|Melkor]] wanted Arda for himself, and the two sides engaged in the titanic [[First War]] where [[Arda Marred|Arda was marred]] and its plan was altered.<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref>


As for light source, the Valar decided upon [[Two Lamps|two lamps]]. One, a blue light, was placed at the north, and it was called [[Illuin]]. The other, a golden light, was placed at the very southernmost point, and was called [[Ormal]]. [[Aulë]], craftsman of the Valar, forged two towers: [[Helcar]] and [[Ringil (tower)|Ringil]], placed at the north and south  respectively. The Valar chose as their own home the green isle [[Almaren]].
As for light source, the Valar decided upon [[Two Lamps|two lamps]]. One, a blue light, was placed at the north, and it was called [[Illuin]]. The other, a golden light, was placed at the very southernmost point, and was called [[Ormal]]. [[Aulë]], craftsman of the Valar, forged two towers: [[Helcar]] and [[Ringil (tower)|Ringil]], placed at the north and south  respectively. The Valar chose as their own home the green isle [[Almaren]] in the center of Arda between the two towers.


It was at that time that [[Morgoth|Melkor]] made his first attempt, spreading chaos across Arda. He destroyed the Lamps and the Towers, ruining the symmetry of the world. Continents formed: especially [[Aman]], [[Endor]], the [[Dark Land]], the [[Hither Lands]], and the [[Uttermost East|Land of the Sun]]. So Arda was created.
It was at that time that [[Morgoth|Melkor]] made his first attempt, spreading chaos across Arda. He destroyed the Lamps and the Towers, ruining the symmetry of the world. At this time, the continents of [[Aman]], [[Endor]], and the [[Uttermost East|Land of the Sun]] were formed. In the midst of Endor where the Two Lamps fell into ruin, the [[Sea of Helcar]] and the [[Sea of Ringil]] formed.


==Geography==
==Geography==
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===Before the Shifting===
===Before the Shifting===
[[File:Sage - Almaren.png|thumb|Original symmetric shape of Arda with [[Almaren]] in the middle. The [[Iron Mountains]] can be seen on the North, created by [[Morgoth|Melkor]] to protect himself from the Valar.]]
[[File:Sage - Almaren.png|thumb|Original symmetric shape of Arda with [[Almaren]] in the middle. The [[Iron Mountains]] can be seen on the North, created by [[Morgoth|Melkor]] to protect himself from the Valar.]]
Arda was originally flat, like a plate. Encircling the continents was [[Ekkaia]], the Encircling Sea. Farthest to the West was the great continent of [[Aman]], composed primarily of two geographical features: the [[Plain of Valinor]], and the [[Pelóri]] Mountains. [[Taniquetil]] was the highest mountain in this range, and in the world. To the east was the great sea of [[Belegaer]].
Arda was originally flat, like a plate. Encircling the continents was [[Ekkaia]], the Encircling Sea. Farthest to the West was the great continent of [[Aman]], composed primarily of two geographical features: the Plain of [[Valinor]], and the [[Pelóri]] Mountains. [[Taniquetil]] was the highest mountain in this range, and in the world. Separating Aman from the lands to the east was the great sea of [[Belegaer]].


Across Belegaer, to the north, was [[Endor]], or [[Middle-earth]]. The west side of this land mass was called [[Beleriand]], the north [[Dor Daidelos]], and the east [[Palisor]]. According to [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s earlier maps, it was in Palisor that there was the great inland [[Sea of Helcar]], and the shores of [[Cuiviénen]]. Middle-earth was dominated by many mountain ranges and forests.
Across Belegaer was [[Middle-earth]], known also as [[Endor]] or the [[Hither Lands]]. The west side of this land mass was called [[Beleriand]], the north [[Dor Daedeloth]], and the east [[Palisor]]. According to [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s earlier maps, it was in Palisor that there was the great inland [[Sea of Helcar]], and the shores of [[Cuiviénen]].  


To the south of Endor, connected by the [[Straits of the World]], was the [[Hither Lands]] according to Tolkien's earlier maps.
Middle-earth was dominated by many mountain ranges and forests. Separating Beleriand from the inner lands of Middle-earth were the [[Blue Mountains]]. To the far east there were the [[Orocarni]], the Red Mountains. In the far south of Middle-earth were the [[Grey Mountains (ancient)|Grey Mountains]], and in the southeast there were the [[Yellow Mountains]]. In the far east between the Orocarni in the north and the Yellow Mountains in the south there lay the [[Mountains of the Wind]]. However, when the Valar went to war against Melkor in the [[War for the Sake of the Elves]], much of Arda was changed again. The Yellow Mountains and the Mountains of the Wind were lost, and the [[Great Gulf]] formed between Beleriand and the lands to the far south. To the east, the [[East Sea]] and the [[Sea of Ringil]] joined together, dividing Middle-earth from a new continent known only as the [[Dark Lands]] or the South Lands. Out of this East Sea, the [[Straits of the World]] began to climb northwest through the southern lands of Middle-earth.<ref>{{SM|Ambar}} p. 250-251</ref>
 
Across the great [[East Sea]] was the [[Dark Land]], also known as the South Land.


To the farthest east possible was the [[Uttermost East]], with a great curved mountain range called the [[Wall of the Sun]].  In the ''[[Ambarkanta]]'' it is called the “''Dark Land of the Sun''”. Corresponding to Taniquetil was the mountain [[Kalormë]].
To the farthest east possible was the [[Uttermost East]], with a great curved mountain range called the [[Wall of the Sun]].  In the ''[[Ambarkanta]]'' it is called the “''Dark Land of the Sun''”. Corresponding to Taniquetil was the mountain [[Kalormë]].


===Second Age and Beyond===
===Second Age and Beyond===
During the tumultuous [[War of Wrath]], the Valar broke and reshaped much of the world. The most prominent change was the drowning of Beleriand. Also [[Ossë]] raised [[Andor]] – a large, star-shaped isle – out of Belegaer.
During the tumultuous [[War of Wrath]], the Valar broke and reshaped much of the world. The most prominent change was the drowning of Beleriand, changing the western coasts of Middle-earth forever. After this catastrophic conflict, [[Ossë]] raised [[Elenna]] – a large, star-shaped isle – out of Belegaer.


[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Fall of Numenor.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Darrell Sweet]] - ''The Fall of Númenor'']]The second great change was the [[Akallabêth|Drowning of Númenor]]. The world was stretched and made into the shape of a sphere. The continents shifted. At that time Aman and the island of [[Tol Eressëa]] were removed from the [[Circles of the World]], and became inaccessible save by the [[Straight Road|Straight Way]].
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Fall of Numenor.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Darrell Sweet]] - ''The Fall of Númenor'']]The second great change was the [[Akallabêth|Drowning of Númenor]]. In this cataclysm, the world was stretched and made into the shape of a sphere. At that time Aman and the island of [[Tol Eressëa]] were removed from the [[Circles of the World]], and became inaccessible save by the [[Straight Road|Straight Way]]. It is said that new continents were made in place of the Undying Lands. Once again, the western coasts of Middle-earth changed, retreating in some places and advancing in others. It is unknown if the Uttermost East survived the Fall of Númenor.


==Eschatology==
==Eschatology==
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Arda first appears in a later version of the ''[[Ainulindalë]]'' from [[1951]], where the term "Ea" also appears, with Arda now being just a small part in the vast regions of Creation<ref>{{MR|P1e}}</ref> and not equated with it.
Arda first appears in a later version of the ''[[Ainulindalë]]'' from [[1951]], where the term "Ea" also appears, with Arda now being just a small part in the vast regions of Creation<ref>{{MR|P1e}}</ref> and not equated with it.


In the later [[Round World version of the Silmarillion]], there is the consideration that there are other worlds in Ea beside Arda where the innumerable Ainur labored, but Arda is of central importance in the Great Tale of Eä, as it is the stage of the conflict between the Great Enemy and the [[Eruhini]]. The distant worlds, and the Ainur who shaped them, are beyond the thought of Elves and Men.<ref>{{MR|P5II}}</ref>
In the later [[Round World version of the Silmarillion]], there is the consideration that there are other worlds in Eä beside Arda where the innumerable Ainur labored, but Arda is of central importance in the Great Tale of Eä, as it is the stage of the conflict between the Great Enemy and the [[Eruhini]]. The distant worlds, and the Ainur who shaped them, are beyond the thought of Elves and Men.<ref>{{MR|P5II}}</ref>


==See Also==
==See Also==

Revision as of 06:48, 28 April 2016

This article is about the mythological world created by Tolkien. For the annual published by Arda-sällskapet/Forodrim, see Arda (annual).
Arda
World
J.R.R. Tolkien - Ambarkanta Map (colorized).gif
General Information
LocationEä
TypeWorld
DescriptionThe World
RegionsKingdom of Manwe
InhabitantsValar, Maiar, Elves, Men, Dwarves, etc.
GalleryImages of Arda

Arda (Q: "Realm", pronounced [ˈarda]) was the Quenya name for the world as a whole. Arda was created within Eä by Eru Ilúvatar. It was then shaped by the Valar, with continental masses such as Middle-earth and Aman, and oceans, like Belegaer.

Arda was the home of Elves, Men, Dwarves and other races as well as the kelvar and olvar.

Cosmology

Cosmology is the structure of the universe, its creation, and divinities.

Pascal Yung - Blind to the West

Eä was created by Eru Ilúvatar and the Valar in the Ainulindalë. Within Eä there is Arda, the earth.

It is told that in its beginning, Arda was a flat earth surrounded by air and water. Above all the lands of Arda was Vista, the lowermost airs where the birds fly. None could pass beyond Vista save for the servants of Manwë and those to whom he grants this ability. Surrounding Vista were the airs of Ilmen, the upper airs where the stars were set. The air in Valinor consisted of Ilmen's airs. Beyond Ilmen was Ekkaia, the globed Encircling Sea which surrounds Arda on all its sides. It is said that the waters of Ekkaia were more alike to air in the regions farthest above the earth, and alike to water beneath the earth. Only Ulmo and his servants could traverse these waters. Beyond the Encircling Sea there is naught but the Outer Void.[1]

The Ainur govern the world under Eru's mandate.

Beginnings

Main article: Years of the Lamps
Jacek Kopalski - Creation of Arda

Arda was first brought into existence with the Music of the Ainur, for the purpose of creating a home for the Children of Ilúvatar. Ilúvatar appointed the Valar as its masters, and was built mainly by Manwe, Aule and Ulmo. They invented its geography, for at the time it was largely without feature and gave it symmetry and form. But then Melkor wanted Arda for himself, and the two sides engaged in the titanic First War where Arda was marred and its plan was altered.[2]

As for light source, the Valar decided upon two lamps. One, a blue light, was placed at the north, and it was called Illuin. The other, a golden light, was placed at the very southernmost point, and was called Ormal. Aulë, craftsman of the Valar, forged two towers: Helcar and Ringil, placed at the north and south respectively. The Valar chose as their own home the green isle Almaren in the center of Arda between the two towers.

It was at that time that Melkor made his first attempt, spreading chaos across Arda. He destroyed the Lamps and the Towers, ruining the symmetry of the world. At this time, the continents of Aman, Endor, and the Land of the Sun were formed. In the midst of Endor where the Two Lamps fell into ruin, the Sea of Helcar and the Sea of Ringil formed.

Geography

Before the Shifting

Original symmetric shape of Arda with Almaren in the middle. The Iron Mountains can be seen on the North, created by Melkor to protect himself from the Valar.

Arda was originally flat, like a plate. Encircling the continents was Ekkaia, the Encircling Sea. Farthest to the West was the great continent of Aman, composed primarily of two geographical features: the Plain of Valinor, and the Pelóri Mountains. Taniquetil was the highest mountain in this range, and in the world. Separating Aman from the lands to the east was the great sea of Belegaer.

Across Belegaer was Middle-earth, known also as Endor or the Hither Lands. The west side of this land mass was called Beleriand, the north Dor Daedeloth, and the east Palisor. According to Tolkien's earlier maps, it was in Palisor that there was the great inland Sea of Helcar, and the shores of Cuiviénen.

Middle-earth was dominated by many mountain ranges and forests. Separating Beleriand from the inner lands of Middle-earth were the Blue Mountains. To the far east there were the Orocarni, the Red Mountains. In the far south of Middle-earth were the Grey Mountains, and in the southeast there were the Yellow Mountains. In the far east between the Orocarni in the north and the Yellow Mountains in the south there lay the Mountains of the Wind. However, when the Valar went to war against Melkor in the War for the Sake of the Elves, much of Arda was changed again. The Yellow Mountains and the Mountains of the Wind were lost, and the Great Gulf formed between Beleriand and the lands to the far south. To the east, the East Sea and the Sea of Ringil joined together, dividing Middle-earth from a new continent known only as the Dark Lands or the South Lands. Out of this East Sea, the Straits of the World began to climb northwest through the southern lands of Middle-earth.[3]

To the farthest east possible was the Uttermost East, with a great curved mountain range called the Wall of the Sun. In the Ambarkanta it is called the “Dark Land of the Sun”. Corresponding to Taniquetil was the mountain Kalormë.

Second Age and Beyond

During the tumultuous War of Wrath, the Valar broke and reshaped much of the world. The most prominent change was the drowning of Beleriand, changing the western coasts of Middle-earth forever. After this catastrophic conflict, Ossë raised Elenna – a large, star-shaped isle – out of Belegaer.

Darrell Sweet - The Fall of Númenor

The second great change was the Drowning of Númenor. In this cataclysm, the world was stretched and made into the shape of a sphere. At that time Aman and the island of Tol Eressëa were removed from the Circles of the World, and became inaccessible save by the Straight Way. It is said that new continents were made in place of the Undying Lands. Once again, the western coasts of Middle-earth changed, retreating in some places and advancing in others. It is unknown if the Uttermost East survived the Fall of Númenor.

Eschatology

The Elves held to the concept of Arda Marred. In the beginning, at the time of the Music of the Ainur, was Arda Unmarred. According to the idea of Arda Unmarred, the world was originally “unstained” by evil. It became Arda Marred after Melkor entered and introduced chaos. They also clung to the idea that one day the world would become Arda Healed. According to this belief, Arda Healed will not come about until the Dagor Dagorath, the Last Battle.

Tengwa

Arda (tengwa).gif

Arda is also the name in Quenya of the twenty-sixth letter of the Tengwar alphabet.[4] It is a modification of Rómen (letter 25). In written Quenya Arda is used for RD. In other modes this letter represents voiceless R (or RH).[5] The Westron name for this letter is Rhó.[6]


Etymology

Arda derives from the Primitive Quendian word gardā meaning "bounded or defined place, region".[7]

Other names

Arda is the Quenya name of the World, with its atmosphere and the celestial objects. The term Ambar is roughly equivalent and it probably refers to Earth without the celestial objects. It was also called Kingdom of Earth/Arda/Manwë and Little Kingdom.

In Adûnaic the words kamât "earth"[8] and dāira "Earth"[9] are given at different points. Another possible word is Abat-, seen in the royal name Abattârik (Quenya: Ardamin).[10]

The Valarin name, from which Quenya Arda derived, was Aþāraphelūn ("appointed dwelling").[11]

Theories

According to the measurements of Karen Wynn Fonstad, flat Arda's diameter was probably about 6,800 miles.[12]

Other versions of the Legendarium

I Vene Kemen

In the early Book of Lost Tales, the Qenya name for the Earth was kemi as well as mar.[13] An early schematic map of that era, displays the flat earth like a ship floating in the ocean of Vai.

In the next phase of the legendarium, as described in The Ambarkanta, the world has the Qenya names Ilu (being the wholeness of existence, the world, with its sky and air, equivalent to Arda of the later Legendarium) or Ambar (being the "earthy", concrete part of Ilu) suspended in the Void.[14]

Arda first appears in a later version of the Ainulindalë from 1951, where the term "Ea" also appears, with Arda now being just a small part in the vast regions of Creation[15] and not equated with it.

In the later Round World version of the Silmarillion, there is the consideration that there are other worlds in Eä beside Arda where the innumerable Ainur labored, but Arda is of central importance in the Great Tale of Eä, as it is the stage of the conflict between the Great Enemy and the Eruhini. The distant worlds, and the Ainur who shaped them, are beyond the thought of Elves and Men.[16]

See Also

External links

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta" p. 235-240
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Ainulindalë: The Music of the Ainur"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta" p. 250-251
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix E, "Writing", "The Fëanorian Letters", Note, The names of the letters
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix E, "Writing", "The Fëanorian Letters", Note, The additional letters
  6. ↑ See Westron Tengwar
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", pp. 402, 413
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part Two: The Notion Club Papers: Major Divergences in Earlier Versions of Part Two, (iii) The earlier versions of Lowdham's 'Fragments' in Adunaic (Night 67)", p. 311
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part Two: The Notion Club Papers Part Two: Night 67", p. 247
  10. ↑ Helge Fauskanger, "Adûnaic", Ardalambion (accessed 19 April 2024)
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", p. 401
  12. ↑ Karen Wynn Fonstad (1991), The Atlas of Middle-earth
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part II"
  14. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Diagram I"
  15. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part One. Ainulindalë: Commentary on the Ainulindalë text D"
  16. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] II"
Middle-earth Cosmology
 Constellations  Anarríma · Durin's Crown · Menelmacar · Remmirath · Soronúmë · Telumendil · Valacirca · Wilwarin
Stars  Alcarinquë · Borgil · Carnil · Elemmírë · Helluin · Luinil · Lumbar · Morwinyon · Nénar · Star of Eärendil · Til 
The Airs  Aiwenórë · Fanyamar · Ilmen · Menel · Vaiya · Veil of Arda · Vista
Narsilion  Arien · Moon (Isil, Ithil, Rána) · Sun (Anar, Anor, Vása) · Tilion
See also  Abyss · Arda · Circles of the World · Eä · Timeless Halls · Two Lamps · Two Trees · Void

fa:آردا

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