Star of Eärendil

The name Eärendil refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Eärendil (disambiguation).

Star of Eärendil
Star
"Eärendil and Elwing" by Roger Garland
Other names	Silmaril, Venus
Location	Circling the heavens
Owner	Eärendil
Appearance	Radiant star in the heavens
Creator	Fëanor/Eärendil F.A. 542
Notable for	Defeating Ancalagon

The Star of Eärendil was the shining light of the Silmaril that was rescued from Angband by Beren and Lúthien, which their descendant Elwing later gave to Eärendil to be carried into the skies aboard his vessel Vingilot. As it first rose in the West, it was recognised by the Elf-lord Maedhros as the jewel of his father that he had sought for so long, now placed out of his reach beyond the Circles of the World.

It was Eärendil and the light of his star that led the Edain to Númenor in the early Second Age, and at that time the light of the Star was so brilliant that it hid all the other stars in the sky. From its guiding light came the Númenóreans' name for their land, Elenna, meaning "Starwards".

The light of Eärendil's Star played a crucial role much later in history as well. It was light from this star that was gathered in Frodo's phial, his gift from Galadriel, which helped him survive his journey into Mordor. Even today the star still shines — the story of Eärendil and his Silmaril was the Elvish account of the "star" we know today as the planet Venus.