Butterflies: Difference between revisions

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==History==
==History==
Although mentioned several times in the written records of [[Arda]], they are only actually seen on one occasion, when [[Bilbo Baggins]] finds them fluttering above the treetops of [[Mirkwood]]. Like other creatures that lived in that dark wood, its butterflies had turned completely black in colour, and so that variety is referred to as the 'black emperor'.<ref>{{H|8}}</ref>
A legend says that all kinds of butterflies appeared in the [[Nan-tathren|Land of Willows]].<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 154</ref>


==Other versions of the legendarium==
In [[Mirkwood]], like other creatures, some butterflies were infected by the [[Shadow]] of [[Dol Guldur]], and turned completely black in color. [[Bilbo Baggins]] found some at the treetops and he imagined them as 'black emperors'.<ref>{{H|8}}</ref><ref group=note>This is a pun on the [[Wikipedia:purple emperor|purple emperor]] type of butterfly.</ref>
Where the River [[Narog]] flowed into [[Sirion]], there was a lush valley filled with willow trees, a place understandably known as the [[Nan-tathren|Land of Willows]]. According to the legends of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', this was the place where butterflies of all kinds came into the world, and they remained common there during the [[First Age]].<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 154</ref>
 
Some of [[Gandalf]]'s fireworks fluttered like butterflies.<ref>{{FR|Party|50}}, p. 27</ref>
 
In [[Quenya]], the buttefly is ''[[Wilwarin]]'', which is also a name the [[Elves]] gave to a [[constellation]] of stars.<ref group=note>[[Christopher Tolkien]] associates it with [[Wikipedia:Cassiopeia (constellation)|Cassiopeia]]</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
In [[Quenya]], the word for "butterfly" is ''[[wilwarin]]'' (pl. ''wilwarindi''). Cognates of the same meaning are [[Telerin]] ''vilverin'', [[Noldorin]] ''gwilwileth'', and [[Ilkorin]] ''gwilwering''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 398 (root [[WIL|WIL-]])</ref>


In [[Quenya]], the word for "butterfly" is ''[[wilwarin]]'' (pl. ''wilwarindi'').<ref group="note">''Wilwarin'' was a name the [[Elves]] also gave to a constellation of stars. Cf. article [[Wilwarin]].</ref> Cognates of the same meaning are [[Telerin]] ''vilverin'', [[Noldorin]] ''gwilwileth'', and [[Ilkorin]] ''gwilwering''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 398 (root [[WIL|WIL-]])</ref>
''Wilwarin'' also appears in earlier [[Qenya]], and also the word ''wilwarindon'' ("like a butterfly").<ref>{{PE|16}}, p. 63</ref>
 
In [[Gnomish]], "butterfly" is ''gwilbrin'' (or ''-vrin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 45</ref>  
In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, "butterfly" is ''gwilbrin'' (or ''-vrin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 45</ref> [[Qenya]] has ''wilwarindon'' ("like a butterfly") and ''wilwarin'' ("butterfly").<ref>{{PE|16}}, p. 63</ref>


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[[Category:Butterflies]]
[[Category:Butterflies]]

Revision as of 07:50, 6 March 2021

Ted Nasmith - Hundreds of Butterflies

Butterflies were insects with large wings, often colorful.

History

A legend says that all kinds of butterflies appeared in the Land of Willows.[1]

In Mirkwood, like other creatures, some butterflies were infected by the Shadow of Dol Guldur, and turned completely black in color. Bilbo Baggins found some at the treetops and he imagined them as 'black emperors'.[2][note 1]

Some of Gandalf's fireworks fluttered like butterflies.[3]

In Quenya, the buttefly is Wilwarin, which is also a name the Elves gave to a constellation of stars.[note 2]

Etymology

In Quenya, the word for "butterfly" is wilwarin (pl. wilwarindi). Cognates of the same meaning are Telerin vilverin, Noldorin gwilwileth, and Ilkorin gwilwering.[4]

Wilwarin also appears in earlier Qenya, and also the word wilwarindon ("like a butterfly").[5] In Gnomish, "butterfly" is gwilbrin (or -vrin).[6]

Notes

  1. This is a pun on the purple emperor type of butterfly.
  2. Christopher Tolkien associates it with Cassiopeia

References