Stars: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (Broken link)
m (Bot: changed heading on "Names" to "Other names")
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Stars''' play a prominent role in Tolkien's mythology.  According to ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', the stars were created by the Vala [[Varda]] (thus her names [[Tintalle]] = Q. Kindler, [[Elentari]] = Q. Star-queen, [[Elbereth]] = S. Star-queen).  She created them in two phases: first, in the earliest ages of the creation of [[Arda]], and second, prior to the awakening of the Elves.  She made the second group using collected light from the Silver Tree, [[Telperion]]. These were the brighter of the stars that we see.  This group included many of the prominent [[constellations]], including [[Menelmacar]] (Orion) and the [[Valacirca]] (the Sickle of the Valar, the Big Dipper). 
{{cleanup}}
[[File:Douglas Chaffee - Stars.jpg|thumb|250px|''Stars'' by [[:Category:Images by Douglas Chaffee|Douglas Chaffee]]]]
The '''stars''' are lights created and set by the [[Valie]] [[Varda]], upon [[Ilmen]] (the upper airs) long before the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]].<ref>{{S|Sun}}</ref>


Also created in the second group appear to be many of what we would consider planets rather than stars.  These are named Carnil, Luinil, Nenar, Lumbar, Alcarinque, and Elemmire. In his introduction to the Index of ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', [[Christopher Tolkien]] identifies these, respectively, with the planets Mars, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercury.  Most of these identifications appear to be fairly certain, although there are astronomical problems with the identifications of Neptune and Uranus in the context of the mythology.  Note that Venus is not included on this list, as in the mythology, it is not a star (or planet), but rather a [[Silmaril]] (see below).
The stars are associated with the [[Elves]], who revere the stars and Varda. They give her the names ''[[Tintallë]]'' ("Kindler") or ''[[Elentári]]''/''Elbereth'' ("Star-queen").<ref>{{S|IIb}}</ref>


Note that in the standard mythology of the published ''Silmarillion'', the stars of both groups were created long before the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]].  They thus contain the unsullied light of creation, and are therefore particularly sacred to the Elves.
While the evil of [[Morgoth]] [[Arda Marred|corrupted]] the whole of [[Arda]] the ancient stars contain the unsullied light of creation.<ref>{{ER|R2}}, p. 152</ref>


The Elves first awoke under the stars (the Sun and Moon did not exist), and the stars were the first thing they saw. The earliest words spoken by the Elves are associated with the stars. According to the Appendix of ''The Silmarillion'', "according to Elvish legend, ''ele'' was a primitive exclamation 'behold!' made by the Elves when they first saw the stars.  From this origin derived the ancient words ''el'' and ''elen'', meaning 'star'."  Moreover, when [[Orom&euml;]] first met the Elves, he too associated them with the stars and named them the [[Eldar]], the People of the Stars. So important was this identification of the Elves with the stars to Tolkien that when he considered revising his creation myths so that the Sun and Moon existed from an earlier time (see ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]''), he still insisted that the Elves must have awoken under the stars.
==History==
Varda created the first stars in the earliest ages of the creation of [[Arda]].<ref>{{S|1}}</ref>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Stargazing.jpeg|250px|thumb|right|''Stargazing'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
Ages later, prior to the [[awakening of the Elves]] Varda grouped together many of the ancient stars into [[constellations]], including [[Menelmacar]] (Orion) and the [[Valacirca]] (the Sickle of the Valar, the Big Dipper), as signs in the heavens of [[Arda]]<ref>{{S|3}}</ref> "that the gods may read".<ref>{{MR|P3I3}}</ref> She also created new ones using collected light from the Silver Tree, [[Telperion]]. These included [[Carnil]], [[Luinil]], [[Nénar]], [[Lumbar]], [[Alcarinquë]], and [[Elemmírë]]<ref group=note>In his introduction to the Index of ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', [[Christopher Tolkien]] identifies these, respectively, with the planets Mars, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercury. Most of these identifications appear to be fairly certain, although there are astronomical problems with the identifications of Neptune and Uranus in the context of the mythology. Note that Venus is not included on this list, as in the mythology, it is not a star (or planet), but rather a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]].</ref>


One frequently-occuring object in the mythology that is not a star but is frequently identified with one is the [[Star of Earendil]].  Following his successfuly mission to persuade the Valar to intervene in the wars against [[Morgoth]] in the First Age, [[Earendil]] and his ship, along with the last remaining Silmaril, were placed in the sky as a sign of hope to the faithful people of Middle-earth. After the war against Morgoth was concluded, a group of the Edain followed Earendil's star to the newly created island that would become N&uacute;menorConsequently, one of the names of that island was [[Elenna]], or Starwards.  The Star of Earendil is identified with the Evening or Morning Star, i.e. the planet Venus.
The Elves first awoke under the stars and according to tradition the stars were the first thing they saw, and the first word spoken by them was ''ele!'', a primitive exclamation 'behold!' when they first saw. From this origin derived the ancient words ''el'' and ''elen'' for "Star".<Ref>{{S|Elements}}</ref> Moreover, when [[Oromë]] first met the Elves, he too associated them with the stars and named them the [[Eldar]], the People of the Stars.<Ref>{{S|Index}}</ref> 


Various characters use stars as emblems throughout the legendarium.  An eight-rayed star represents the [[House of Feanor]], and seven eight-rayed stars above a crown and anvil are the emblems of [[Durin]].  Both of these are depicted on the [[doors of Moria]] (the former because [[Celebrimbor]], one of the makers of the doors, was a descendant of Feanor).  Seven stars appeared on the banner of Gondor. Certain jewels are also described as stars, notably the [[Star of Elendil]] that Aragorn wore into the Battle of Pelennor Fields.  In the [[Lay of Nimrodel]], it is said that "A star was bound upon her brow," clearly describing some kind of jewel.
The [[Star of Eärendil]] is a unique case. Following his successful mission to persuade the Valar to intervene in the wars against [[Morgoth]] in the First Age, [[Eärendil]] and his ship, along with the last remaining Silmaril, were placed in the sky as a sign of hope to the faithful people of Middle-earth.  After the war against Morgoth was concluded, a group of the Edain followed Eärendil's star to the newly created island that would become Númenor. Consequently, one of the names of that island was [[Elenna]], or "Starwards". <ref group=note>The Star of Eärendil is identified with the Evening or Morning Star, i.e. the planet Venus.</ref>


Other prominent references to stars in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' include the following.
===In culture===
Emblems also featured stars.  An eight-rayed star represented the [[House of Fëanor]], and seven eight-rayed stars above a crown and anvil were the emblems of [[Durin]]. Both of these were depicted on the [[Doors of Durin|West-gate of Moria]] (the former because [[Celebrimbor]], one of the makers of the doors, was a descendant of Fëanor).  Seven stars appeared on the banner of Gondor. Certain jewels are also described as stars, notably the [[Star of Elendil]] that Aragorn wore into the Battle of Pelennor Fields. In the [[Song of Nimrodel]], it is said that "''A star was bound upon her brow''," clearly describing some kind of jewel.


*[[Frodo]]'s greeting to [[Gildor]], ''Elen s&iacute;la l&uacute;menn' omentielvo'' (Quenya: A star shines on the hour of our meeting.)
Other prominent references to stars include:
*[[Sam]]'s song in [[Cirith Ungol]] concludes "...above all shadows rides the Sun, and Stars for ever dwell. I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell."
* The [[Quenya]] greeting, ''[[Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo]]'' (Quenya: "A star shines on the hour of our meeting.")
*Travelling through [[Mordor]], Sam sees a star, leading him to conclude that "in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
* Frodo, from the window of his room in [[Rivendell]], observed a red star foreshadowing the [[Eye of Sauron]]: "But low in the South one star shone red ... deep in the heavens burning like a watchful eye that glared above the trees on the brink of the valley."<ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref><ref group=note>While recognizing its allegorical nature, scholars have attempted to identify this star in the night sky. [[David Turner]], "Stars of fancy" in ''Nova Notes'' (newsletter of the Halifax Center of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada), vol. 27, no. 2, avril 1996, identifies it with Sirius, supposedly reddish many aeons ago. [[Alain Lefèvre]], "L’astre rouge de la Lune du Chasseur" (French) in ''[[Tolkien, le façonnement d'un monde]]'', vol. 2, 2014, pp. 29-41, argues against Sirius and retains Mars as possible candidate. As an aside note, "Saruman's Book" in [[Peter Jackson]]'s adaptation includes pages in [[tengwar]] (movie prop designed by [[Daniel Reeve]]) mentioning the "red star of Sauron" and its supposedly (non-[[canon|canonical]]) strange effects on nature.</ref>
* [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]'s song in [[Cirith Ungol]] concludes "...above all shadows rides the Sun, and Stars for ever dwell. I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell."
* Travelling through [[Mordor]], Sam saw a star, leading him to conclude that "In the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
 
==Other names==
 
*[[Sundocarme|Root]] [[EL]]
 
*[[Quenya]]
** ''[[elen]]''
** ''[[tinwë]]'' (also means "spark")
** ''[[tingilya]]'' and ''[[tingilindë]]'' "twinkling star"
** ''[[elvëa]]'' "starlike"
** ''[[silmë]]'' "starlight"
** ''[[tindómë]]'' "starry twilight"
 
*[[Sindarin]]
** ''[[êl]]''
** ''[[gil]]''
** ''[[tîn#Noun|tîn, tin]]''
** ''[[tinu]]''
** ''[[Gil-galad|gilgalad]]'' "starlight"
** ''[[elenath]]'' "starry" or "stars"
** ''[[giliath]]'' "hosts of stars"
 
*[[Noldorin]]
**''[[gíl]]''
**''[[tinw]]''
==Other versions of the legendarium==
So important was this identification of the Elves with the stars to [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] that when he considered revising his creation myths so that the Sun and Moon existed from an earlier time (see ''[[Myths Transformed]]''), he still insisted that the Elves must have awoken under the stars. 
{{references|n}}
{{cosmology}}
 
[[Category:Creations of the Valar]]
[[Category:Stars| Stars]]
[[fi:Tähdet]]

Latest revision as of 15:42, 31 December 2020

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.

The stars are lights created and set by the Valie Varda, upon Ilmen (the upper airs) long before the Sun and Moon.[1]

The stars are associated with the Elves, who revere the stars and Varda. They give her the names Tintallë ("Kindler") or Elentári/Elbereth ("Star-queen").[2]

While the evil of Morgoth corrupted the whole of Arda the ancient stars contain the unsullied light of creation.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

Varda created the first stars in the earliest ages of the creation of Arda.[4]

Stargazing by Anke Eißmann

Ages later, prior to the awakening of the Elves Varda grouped together many of the ancient stars into constellations, including Menelmacar (Orion) and the Valacirca (the Sickle of the Valar, the Big Dipper), as signs in the heavens of Arda[5] "that the gods may read".[6] She also created new ones using collected light from the Silver Tree, Telperion. These included Carnil, Luinil, Nénar, Lumbar, Alcarinquë, and Elemmírë[note 1]

The Elves first awoke under the stars and according to tradition the stars were the first thing they saw, and the first word spoken by them was ele!, a primitive exclamation 'behold!' when they first saw. From this origin derived the ancient words el and elen for "Star".[7] Moreover, when Oromë first met the Elves, he too associated them with the stars and named them the Eldar, the People of the Stars.[8]

The Star of Eärendil is a unique case. Following his successful mission to persuade the Valar to intervene in the wars against Morgoth in the First Age, Eärendil and his ship, along with the last remaining Silmaril, were placed in the sky as a sign of hope to the faithful people of Middle-earth. After the war against Morgoth was concluded, a group of the Edain followed Eärendil's star to the newly created island that would become Númenor. Consequently, one of the names of that island was Elenna, or "Starwards". [note 2]

In culture[edit | edit source]

Emblems also featured stars. An eight-rayed star represented the House of Fëanor, and seven eight-rayed stars above a crown and anvil were the emblems of Durin. Both of these were depicted on the West-gate of Moria (the former because Celebrimbor, one of the makers of the doors, was a descendant of Fëanor). Seven stars appeared on the banner of Gondor. Certain jewels are also described as stars, notably the Star of Elendil that Aragorn wore into the Battle of Pelennor Fields. In the Song of Nimrodel, it is said that "A star was bound upon her brow," clearly describing some kind of jewel.

Other prominent references to stars include:

  • The Quenya greeting, Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo (Quenya: "A star shines on the hour of our meeting.")
  • Frodo, from the window of his room in Rivendell, observed a red star foreshadowing the Eye of Sauron: "But low in the South one star shone red ... deep in the heavens burning like a watchful eye that glared above the trees on the brink of the valley."[9][note 3]
  • Sam's song in Cirith Ungol concludes "...above all shadows rides the Sun, and Stars for ever dwell. I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell."
  • Travelling through Mordor, Sam saw a star, leading him to conclude that "In the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."

Other names[edit | edit source]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

So important was this identification of the Elves with the stars to Tolkien that when he considered revising his creation myths so that the Sun and Moon existed from an earlier time (see Myths Transformed), he still insisted that the Elves must have awoken under the stars.

Notes

  1. In his introduction to the Index of Morgoth's Ring, Christopher Tolkien identifies these, respectively, with the planets Mars, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercury. Most of these identifications appear to be fairly certain, although there are astronomical problems with the identifications of Neptune and Uranus in the context of the mythology. Note that Venus is not included on this list, as in the mythology, it is not a star (or planet), but rather a Silmaril.
  2. The Star of Eärendil is identified with the Evening or Morning Star, i.e. the planet Venus.
  3. While recognizing its allegorical nature, scholars have attempted to identify this star in the night sky. David Turner, "Stars of fancy" in Nova Notes (newsletter of the Halifax Center of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada), vol. 27, no. 2, avril 1996, identifies it with Sirius, supposedly reddish many aeons ago. Alain Lefèvre, "L’astre rouge de la Lune du Chasseur" (French) in Tolkien, le façonnement d'un monde, vol. 2, 2014, pp. 29-41, argues against Sirius and retains Mars as possible candidate. As an aside note, "Saruman's Book" in Peter Jackson's adaptation includes pages in tengwar (movie prop designed by Daniel Reeve) mentioning the "red star of Sauron" and its supposedly (non-canonical) strange effects on nature.

References

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 · · Timeless Halls · Two Lamps · Two Trees · Void