Varda
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Varda | |
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Vala | |
File:Anya Valle - Varda Elentari.jpg | |
Biographical Information | |
Other names | See Names and epithets |
Family | |
Spouse | Manwë |
Physical Description | |
Gender | Female |
Gallery | Images of Varda |
- "O stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown,
In Windy fields now bright and clear
We see your silver blossom blown!" - ― Hymn to Elbereth
Varda Elentári (Q, pron. N [ˈvarda ˌelenˈtaːri], V [ˈβarda ˌelenˈtaːri]), known in Sindarin as Elbereth Gilthoniel (pron. [ˈelbereθ ɡilˈθonjel]), was a Valië, the wife of Manwë and Queen of the Valar.
History
When Melkor first began to create his discord, Varda saw his mind, and despised him. Melkor feared and hated Varda the most out of the Valar.
Varda was said to be too beautiful for words. Within her face radiated the light of Ilúvatar. She resided with Manwë in Valinor. Varda created the stars with the dews from the vats of Telperion, the first of the Two Trees. Varda is said to be the Vala most loved and revered by the Elves in Middle-earth, she is also believed to be the most beautiful.
Inspiration
The Valar, being divine beings below a greater, more ultimate Creator, Ilúvatar, are thought of as being the Middle-earth equivalent of saints and angels; it has therefore been suggested that Varda, in her role as the most loved and prayed-to Vala, may be an equivalent of the Virgin Mary in Tolkien's own Catholic faith.
Etymology
Varda means "sublime" or "lofty" in Quenya, from PQ baradâ, merged with barathî
In Telerin she was called Baradis, and in Sindarin Elbereth.
All these come from the Root BARÁD/BARATH.[1]
In Adûnaic, her name was adapted rather than translated; it became Avradî.
Some older forms were Baráda, Bridhil, Timbridhil and Tinwetari.
Elbereth derives from elen-bereth meaning "star-queen". It represents evolution of Primitive Quendian *elen-barathî (the final -i umlauted the word to berethi) > elemberethi > elbereth.[2]
Other versions
In Tolkien's early Qenya, Vard- was a root referring to royalty. Related words were vardar "king" and vardo "prince"; they do not appear in the later inception of Quenya.
Names and epithets
She was also known as Elentári "Star-queen", Tintallë "Star-kindler".
In Sindarin she is also known as Gilthoniel (Starkindler), Fanuilos (Ever-white).
In Adûnaic she was also called Gimilnitîr "starkindler".
She is also referred to by the epithets The Kindler, Lady of the Stars, Queen of the Stars, Snow-white. They are translations of her Elvish names.
See Also
Ainur | ||
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Valar | Lords | Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · |
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 |
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 351
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Donald Swann, The Road Goes Ever On, "A Elbereth Gilthoniel"