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'''Menel''' was an [[Elvish]] name for the regions of air above [[Arda]], a name which is generally translated into English as "heaven" or "the heavens". Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies. Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including [[Meneltarma]] (the "Pillar of Heaven"), [[Meneldil]], [[Tar-Meneldur]], [[Armenelos]], and so on. 
'''Menel''' was an [[Elvish]] (both [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]) name for the regions of air above [[Arda]], a name which is generally meant as "firmament, heaven" or "the heavens". Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies.  


The word is the same in [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]].  In translating the word as "heaven" it should be noted that this does not have the connotation of Christian "Heaven" (''Paradise'').  Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars. The word itself is a compound of ''men'' "direction, road" and ''[[elen|êl]]'', "star", meaning "the Direction of the Stars".<ref name="RGEO">{{RGEO|7}}, p. 72</ref>
Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars.
==Etymology==
The word is understood as ''[[men (Elvish)|men]]'' "towards" + ''[[el]]'' "star" meaning "the Direction of the Stars".<ref name="RGEO">{{RGEO|7}}, p. 72</ref>
==Examples==
Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including [[Meneltarma]] (the "Pillar of Heaven"), [[Meneldil]], [[Tar-Meneldur]], [[Armenelos]]. 


In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', "menel" is used in the two [[Sindarin]] hymns to [[Varda|Elbereth]].  It appears first in a song in the Hall of Fire: "''o menel aglar elenath''" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven") ([[Many Meetings]]).  Later, [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] uses it in his parallel invocation from [[Cirith Ungol]]: "''o menel palan-diriel''" ("from heaven gazing afar") ([[The Choices of Master Samwise]]).
It also appears in ''[[A Elbereth Gilthoniel]]'' "''o menel aglar elenath''" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven")<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>


Though it is apparently a Quenya invention, it already existed in Avarin, and survived as such in [[Adûnaic]] ''minal''.  
[[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] used it in his invocation from [[Cirith Ungol]]: "''o menel palan-diriel''" ("from heaven gazing afar")<ref>{{TT|IV10}}</ref>
==Derivatives==
It already existed in [[Avarin]]{{fact}}, and survived as such in [[Adûnaic]] ''[[minal]]''.  
{{cosmology}}
{{cosmology}}
{{references}}
{{references}}

Revision as of 01:07, 15 October 2010

Menel was an Elvish (both Quenya and Sindarin) name for the regions of air above Arda, a name which is generally meant as "firmament, heaven" or "the heavens". Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies.

Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars.

Etymology

The word is understood as men "towards" + el "star" meaning "the Direction of the Stars".[1]

Examples

Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including Meneltarma (the "Pillar of Heaven"), Meneldil, Tar-Meneldur, Armenelos.

It also appears in A Elbereth Gilthoniel "o menel aglar elenath" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven")[2]

Sam used it in his invocation from Cirith Ungol: "o menel palan-diriel" ("from heaven gazing afar")[3]

Derivatives

It already existed in Avarin[source?], and survived as such in Adûnaic minal.

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

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Donald Swann, The Road Goes Ever On, "A Elbereth Gilthoniel", p. 72
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Choices of Master Samwise"
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