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''[[ea (verb)|Eä]]'' is the [[Quenya]] verb "to be", and was the word spoken by Eru Ilúvatar by which he created the universe. | ''[[ea (verb)|Eä]]'' is the [[Quenya]] verb "to be", and was the word spoken by Eru Ilúvatar by which he created the universe. | ||
==Other versions of the Legendarium== | ==Other versions of the Legendarium== | ||
In earlier works the [[Qenya]] word ''Ilu'' | In earlier works, the [[Qenya]] word ''Ilu'' is translated as "world"<ref>{{SM|5d}}</ref> in the sense of the "universe", from the [[root]] ILU "all, the whole".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry [[IL]]</ref> | ||
In the [[Ambarkanta]], the World is described as a globe of air enclosed in [[Vaiya]] and the [[Ilurambar]], the Walls of the World that separate Vaiya from nothingness and the [[Void]].<ref>{{SM|5b}}</ref> The [[Ambarkanta | In the 1930s [[Ambarkanta]], the World is described as a globe of air enclosed in [[Vaiya]] and the [[Ilurambar]], the Walls of the World that separate Vaiya from nothingness and the [[Void]].<ref>{{SM|5b}}</ref> The [[Ambarkanta maps]] schematics are labelled as "ILU".<ref>{{SM|A1}}</ref><ref>{{SM|A2}}</ref> | ||
As the word Ilu doesn't make a distinction between the concepts of "Arda" and "Eä" of the later ''[[Silmarillion]]'', therefore the two are mostly equated; all universe (at least in that context) consists only of [[Ambar]] and the airs around it. | |||
{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
{{cosmology}} | {{cosmology}} |
Revision as of 11:38, 28 September 2014
Eä (pronounced [ˈe.a]), the Created World,[1] is the Quenya name for the universe, as a realization of the vision of the Ainur. Thus, Eä is the World that Is, as distinguished from the Timeless Halls of Ilúvatar and the Void, that have no material form.
Ea was conceived in the Music of the Ainur and then visualized in the beautiful Vision that Ilúvatar showed to the Ainur to see for themselves what they sang. The Vision showed a World sustained inside the Void, but without being part of it, and developing life on its own. The Ainur desired all this was real, and Ilúvatar brought this into actuality by saying Eä and He sent His Flame Imperishable into the Void to burn at the heart of the World.
From the Timeless Halls, Ea is described as being of "vast halls and spaces" burning with "wheeling fires" and histories unfolding amidst the "Deeps of Time", such as the waking of the Children of Ilúvatar and the Dominion of Men.[2] However its shape, duration, extent and size are not described. Of all Ea, only Arda, the world inhabited by the Children, is known.
Ea is separated from the Void by the Walls of the World.[3] At the end of the First Age, the Valar threw Melkor to the Void through the Door of Night.[4]
Etymology
Eä is the Quenya verb "to be", and was the word spoken by Eru Ilúvatar by which he created the universe.
Other versions of the Legendarium
In earlier works, the Qenya word Ilu is translated as "world"[5] in the sense of the "universe", from the root ILU "all, the whole".[6]
In the 1930s Ambarkanta, the World is described as a globe of air enclosed in Vaiya and the Ilurambar, the Walls of the World that separate Vaiya from nothingness and the Void.[7] The Ambarkanta maps schematics are labelled as "ILU".[8][9]
As the word Ilu doesn't make a distinction between the concepts of "Arda" and "Eä" of the later Silmarillion, therefore the two are mostly equated; all universe (at least in that context) consists only of Ambar and the airs around it.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Qenya Noun Structure", in Parma Eldalamberon XXI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Patrick H. Wynne and Arden R. Smith), p. 85
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Ainulindalë: The Music of the Ainur"
- ↑ Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, entry "Walls of the World"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: [List of cosmological words]"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entry IL
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Of the Fashion of the World"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Diagram I"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Diagram 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 |