Irmo

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Irmo
Vala
Angel Falto - Lorien.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesLórien
Family
SiblingsMandos and Nienna.
SpouseEstë.
Physical Description
GenderMale.
GalleryImages of Irmo

Irmo (Quenya, pronounced [ˈirmo]) was the true name of the Vala who was usually named Lórien ([ˈloːri.en]), which is rightly the place of his dwelling. He was the husband of Estë and the brother of Námo (more commonly known as Mandos) and Nienna.

History

Irmo and Námo were the Fëanturi, masters of spirits. Irmo, the younger, was the master of visions and dreams. His gardens in the land of the Valar at Lórien, where he dwelled with Estë the Gentle.[1]

When the Sun and Moon were originally set in their paths "Varda purposed that the two vessels should journey in Ilmen and ever be aloft". It was largely due to the prayers of Irmo and Estë, "who said that sleep and rest had been banished from the Earth", that Varda changed her council and allowed a time of night.[2]

After the birth of Fëanor, his mother Míriel languished and Manwë delivered her to the care of Irmo.[3]

Etymology

Irmo means Desirer or Master of Desire. His common name Lórien (in Quenya) means Land of Dreams, so he is also given the title Master of Dreams.

In early versions of the legendarium, this Vala (variously spelt Lorien and Lôrien) was given many different surnames: Qenya Olofantur (the element fantur, a derivative of the root FANA, refers to "visions, dreams, falling asleep")[4], Qenya Fulmur (probably from the root FUMU, "sleep"), and Gnomish Losfan (consisting of oloth "a dream, apparition, vision" + ending -fan, thus (o)loth-fan > Losfan). A Gnomish rendering of his first name was Glurim (containing the element lûr "slumber").[5]

References

Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar