Sprites: Difference between revisions

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(The "later legendarium" section was based on a misreading of the Valaquenta; there is no reference to "lesser Maiar", rather, the Maiar themselves are the "servants and helpers")
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{{noncanon}}
[[File:Ron Miller - Lindion.jpg|thumb|[[Ron Miller]] - ''Lindion'']]
[[Image:Lindion.jpg|thumb|''Lindion'', a mountain fay in ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game|MECCG]]'']]
'''Sprites''', or '''fays''', were creatures only mentioned fleetingly in the earliest versions of the tales of [[Arda]] and linguistic writings of the [[Eldar]].<ref name=LT1-66>{{LT1|III}}, p. 66</ref><ref name=PE11>{{PE|11}}</ref>
'''Sprites''', or '''fays''', were creatures only mentioned fleetingly in the earliest versions of the tales of [[Arda]] and linguistic writings of the [[Eldar]].<ref name=LT1-66>{{LT1|III}}, p. 66</ref><ref name=PE11>{{PE|11}}</ref>


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
{{stub}}


The sprites and fays were part of what apparently was a three-fold division of the lesser [[Ainur|Ainu]] spirits: [[sylphs]] (spirits of the air), sprites (spirits of the earth), and [[mermaids|water spirits]].<ref name=LT1-66/>
The sprites and fays were part of what apparently was a three-fold division of the lesser [[Ainur|Ainu]] spirits: [[sylphs]] (spirits of the air), sprites (spirits of the earth), and [[mermaids|water spirits]].<ref name=LT1-66/>
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"''About them fared a great host who are the sprites of trees and woods, of dale and forest and mountain-side, or those that sing amid the grass at morning and chant among the standing corn at eve.''"<ref name=LT1-66/>
"''About them fared a great host who are the sprites of trees and woods, of dale and forest and mountain-side, or those that sing amid the grass at morning and chant among the standing corn at eve.''"<ref name=LT1-66/>


"''...their number is very great: yet must they not be confused with the Eldar, for they were born befoxe the world and are older than its oldest, and are not of it, but laugh at it much, for had they not somewhat to do with its making, so that it is for the most part a play for them''"<ref name=LT1-66/>
"''...their number is very great: yet must they not be confused with the Eldar, for they were born before the world and are older than its oldest, and are not of it, but laugh at it much, for had they not somewhat to do with its making, so that it is for the most part a play for them''"<ref name=LT1-66/>


==Names and divisions==
==Names and divisions==
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#'''''Nermir''''': "fays of the meads";<ref name=LT1-66/><ref name=LT1Index/> [[Gnomish]] ''nermil'': "a fay that haunts meadows and riverbanks"<ref name=PE11/>
#'''''Nermir''''': "fays of the meads";<ref name=LT1-66/><ref name=LT1Index/> [[Gnomish]] ''nermil'': "a fay that haunts meadows and riverbanks"<ref name=PE11/>
#'''''Tavari''''': "sprites of trees and woods",<ref name=LT1-66/> or "fays of the woods";<ref name=LT1Index/> [[Gnomish]] ''tavor'': "a wood fay"<ref name=PE11/> ([[Qenya]] ''tavar'', ''tavarni'' "dale-sprites", [[Sundocarme|root]] [[TAW|TAVA]])<ref>{{PE|12}}</ref><ref name=LT1App>{{LT1|Appendix}}</ref>
#'''''Tavari''''': "sprites of trees and woods",<ref name=LT1-66/> or "fays of the woods";<ref name=LT1Index/> [[Gnomish]] ''tavor'': "a wood fay"<ref name=PE11/> ([[Qenya]] ''tavar'', ''tavarni'' "dale-sprites", [[Sundocarme|root]] [[TAW|TAVA]];<ref>{{PE|12}}</ref><ref name=LT1App>{{LT1|Appendix}}</ref> the plural noun ''tavárin'', nominative of ''tavārin'' "fay(s) of the woods"<ref name=PE16>{{PE|16}}, p. 80</ref><ref>{{PE|14}}, p. 10</ref>)
#'''''Nandini''''': "fays of the valleys";<ref name=LT1-66/><ref name=LT1Index/> [[Gnomish]] ''nandir'': fay of the country" ([[Qenya]] ''nandin'')<ref name=PE11/>
#'''''Nandini''''': "fays of the valleys";<ref name=LT1-66/><ref name=LT1Index/> [[Gnomish]] ''nandir'': fay of the country" ([[Qenya]] ''nandin'')<ref name=PE11/>
#'''''Orossi''''': "fays of the mountains"<ref name=LT1-66/><ref name=LT1Index>{{LT1|Index}}</ref>
#'''''Orossi''''': "fays of the mountains"<ref name=LT1-66/><ref name=LT1Index>{{LT1|Index}}</ref>
In a poem appear the ''oromandi'', "wood-spirits".<ref>{{MC|Secret}}, pp. 215-6</ref>


Some other mentions of fays seem rather to be referring to individuals:
Some other mentions of fays seem rather to be referring to individuals:
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*''Tethil'': "a flower fay who dwelt in a poppy"<ref name=PE11/>
*''Tethil'': "a flower fay who dwelt in a poppy"<ref name=PE11/>
*''Tinfing'' or ''Tinfang'' the fluter (surnamed ''Gwarbilin'', Birdward) a fay<ref name=PE11/>
*''Tinfing'' or ''Tinfang'' the fluter (surnamed ''Gwarbilin'', Birdward) a fay<ref name=PE11/>
==Commentary==
Based on etymological information, linguists have suggested that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] intended "the wood-fays to 'use' the forest as their home", and that such forests were watched or guarded by the fays.<ref name=PE16/>


==The later legendarium==
==The later legendarium==


As the sprites and fays are not mentioned in later versions of the [[legendarium]], it might be that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] envisioned these creatures as the "''servants and helpers''" of the [[Maiar]] (mentioned in later versions of [[Elves|Elven]] chronicles)<ref>{{S|IIc}}</ref> — lesser spirits that would have remained in [[Middle-earth]] (and would thus perhaps be equivalent to the [[Faeries]]). As Tolkien never cared to elaborate much on these "lesser Maiar" in the texts used by his son [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher]] when preparing the published ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', one could speculate on how much Tolkien would have retained or rejected of this earlier conception.
Sprites and fays are not mentioned in the later versions of the [[legendarium]]. Many of the classes of beings references in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' were superseded by the concept of the [[Maiar]], which were not introduced until the reworking of the [[Annals of Valinor]] into the [[Annals of Aman]].<ref name="MRP2b">{{MR|P2b}}</ref>


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
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*'''[[Mermaids]]'''
*'''[[Mermaids]]'''
*'''[[Sylphs]]'''
*'''[[Sylphs]]'''
*[[Dryads]]
*[[Fairies]]
*[[Fairies]]
*[[Tinfang Warble]]
*[[Tinfang Warble]]
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{{references}}
{{references}}
{{legend}}
{{legend}}
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Spirits]]

Revision as of 19:53, 1 June 2016

Ron Miller - Lindion

Sprites, or fays, were creatures only mentioned fleetingly in the earliest versions of the tales of Arda and linguistic writings of the Eldar.[1][2]

Characteristics

The sprites and fays were part of what apparently was a three-fold division of the lesser Ainu spirits: sylphs (spirits of the air), sprites (spirits of the earth), and water spirits.[1]

"About them fared a great host who are the sprites of trees and woods, of dale and forest and mountain-side, or those that sing amid the grass at morning and chant among the standing corn at eve."[1]

"...their number is very great: yet must they not be confused with the Eldar, for they were born before the world and are older than its oldest, and are not of it, but laugh at it much, for had they not somewhat to do with its making, so that it is for the most part a play for them"[1]

Names and divisions

While "sprites" and "fays" seem to have been the most common names for these creatures, other names were also used: brownies, pixies, and leprawns.[1]

A basic division of four groups of sprites and fays, with their Elvish names, are given as follow:

  1. Nermir: "fays of the meads";[1][3] Gnomish nermil: "a fay that haunts meadows and riverbanks"[2]
  2. Tavari: "sprites of trees and woods",[1] or "fays of the woods";[3] Gnomish tavor: "a wood fay"[2] (Qenya tavar, tavarni "dale-sprites", root TAVA;[4][5] the plural noun tavárin, nominative of tavārin "fay(s) of the woods"[6][7])
  3. Nandini: "fays of the valleys";[1][3] Gnomish nandir: fay of the country" (Qenya nandin)[2]
  4. Orossi: "fays of the mountains"[1][3]

In a poem appear the oromandi, "wood-spirits".[8]

Some other mentions of fays seem rather to be referring to individuals:

  • Sacha "the fire-fay" (Qenya Sāya)[2]
  • Tethil: "a flower fay who dwelt in a poppy"[2]
  • Tinfing or Tinfang the fluter (surnamed Gwarbilin, Birdward) a fay[2]

Commentary

Based on etymological information, linguists have suggested that Tolkien intended "the wood-fays to 'use' the forest as their home", and that such forests were watched or guarded by the fays.[6]

The later legendarium

Sprites and fays are not mentioned in the later versions of the legendarium. Many of the classes of beings references in The Book of Lost Tales were superseded by the concept of the Maiar, which were not introduced until the reworking of the Annals of Valinor into the Annals of Aman.[9]

Portrayal in adaptations

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

The Warrior Ally card "Lindion the Oronín", portraying a unique character, is given the following description: "The fays of the mountains pipe melodies that harmonize with wind and weather, pleasing to the ears of all creatures aloft on wings", apparently inspired by the Orossi (see above). Lindion is playable at the site Stone-circle in the region Old Pûkel Gap.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "III. The Coming of the Valar and the Building of Valinor", p. 66
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Index
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Qenyaqetsa: The Qenya Phonology and Lexicon", in Parma Eldalamberon XII (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne)
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Early Elvish Poetry and Pre-Fëanorian Alphabets", in Parma Eldalamberon XVI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, Carl F. Hostetter and Bill Welden), p. 80
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Early Qenya and The Valmaric Script", in Parma Eldalamberon XIV (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), p. 10
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays, "A Secret Vice", pp. 215-6
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Notes [on Section 1]"
Legendary races of Arda
 Animals:  Dumbledors · Gorcrows · Hummerhorns · Pards · Swans of Gorbelgod · Turtle-fish
Dragon-kind:  Sea-serpents · Spark-dragons · Were-worms
Evil Races:  Ettens · Giants · Half-trolls · Hobgoblins · Ogres · Snow-trolls · Two-headed Trolls
Other:  Badger-folk · Great beasts · Lintips · Mewlips · Nameless things · Spectres
Individuals:  Talking Gurthang · Talking purse · The Hunter · Lady of the Sun · Lonely Troll · Man in the Moon · The Rider · River-woman · Tarlang · Tim · Tom · White cow
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