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Two days in the calendars of the [[Hobbits]] that marked the end of one year, and the beginning of the next. On a modern calendar, they fell on the 21 and 22 December3. Around them, the six-day festival of [[Yuletide]] was held, running from 29 [[Foreyule]] to 2 [[Afteryule]].  
'''Yule''' was the [[Northern Mannish]] name of the midwinter festival, observed around the [[Westlands]]. The days around Yule were the Yule-tide.


Due to a peculiarity of the [[Shire Calendar]], the Yuledays always fell on the same days of the week. The last day of the year, 1 Yule, was always a [[Highday]] (Friday), while the first day of the following year, 2 Yule, was always a [[Sterday]] (Saturday).  
In the [[Shire Calendar]], Yule referred to two days (the last of the previous and the first of the new year). Due to a peculiarity of the Calendar, the 2 Yuledays were "between" and outside the formal months of [[Foreyule]] and [[Afteryule]]. They always fell on the same days of the week: the last day of the year, [[1 Yule]], was always a [[Highday]] (Friday), while the first day of the following year, [[2 Yule]], was always a [[Sterday]] (Saturday).<ref name="Shire">{{App|Shire}}</ref><ref group=note>On a modern calendar, they fell approximately on 21 and 22 December.</ref>


The formal use of Yule in the Shire calendar cannot, by definition, predate the foundation of the Shire in [[III]] 1601. However, its appearance there represents a survival of an older tradition, and the name 'Yule' for a midwinter festival was known as far from the Shire as [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]].
Around them, the six-day festival of [[Yuledays|Yuletide]] was held, running from [[29 December|29]] [[Foreyule]] through [[2 January|2]] [[Afteryule]].<ref>{{App|Calendars}}</ref>
 
==Etymology==
{{quote|Very best wishes for Yule - J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien to [[Richard Jeffery]]<ref>{{L|347}}</ref>}}
Yule represents a "translation" of a [[Hobbitish]] word, but the word itself doesn't occur in [[Westron]].<ref name="Nomen"/>
 
However it's possible that it derives from a form of [[Northern Mannish]] and later used in [[Rohirric]]. Since [[Gondorians]] of the [[Third Age]] were in part [[Northmen]], the word was recognisable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 781</ref>
 
A [[Quenya]] word for "Yule and the beginning of [[Sun]]'s return" was ''Amanar''.<ref>[[Letter to Jonathan Hepworth]] (referenced [https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/books-manuscripts/tolkien-john-ronald-reuel-two-autograph-6218450-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=6218450&sid=8a118291-eca4-49f7-bdbd-4f21754d318c here])</ref>
 
In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "Yule(night), i.e. Log-night" is ''durufui''. ''Tanfui'' means "Yule night".<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 31, 69</ref>
 
{{references|note}}
[[Category:Hobbit Calendar]]

Revision as of 19:07, 27 June 2019

Yule was the Northern Mannish name of the midwinter festival, observed around the Westlands. The days around Yule were the Yule-tide.

In the Shire Calendar, Yule referred to two days (the last of the previous and the first of the new year). Due to a peculiarity of the Calendar, the 2 Yuledays were "between" and outside the formal months of Foreyule and Afteryule. They always fell on the same days of the week: the last day of the year, 1 Yule, was always a Highday (Friday), while the first day of the following year, 2 Yule, was always a Sterday (Saturday).[1][note 1]

Around them, the six-day festival of Yuletide was held, running from 29 Foreyule through 2 Afteryule.[2]

Etymology

"Very best wishes for Yule - J. R. R. Tolkien"
― Tolkien to Richard Jeffery[3]

Yule represents a "translation" of a Hobbitish word, but the word itself doesn't occur in Westron.[4]

However it's possible that it derives from a form of Northern Mannish and later used in Rohirric. Since Gondorians of the Third Age were in part Northmen, the word was recognisable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.[4]

A Quenya word for "Yule and the beginning of Sun's return" was Amanar.[5]

In Gnomish, one of Tolkien's early conceptions of an Elven language, the word for "Yule(night), i.e. Log-night" is durufui. Tanfui means "Yule night".[6]

Notes

  1. ↑ On a modern calendar, they fell approximately on 21 and 22 December.

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix D, "The Shire Calendar"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix D, "The Calendars"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 347, (dated 17 December 1972)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 781
  5. ↑ Letter to Jonathan Hepworth (referenced here)
  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), pp. 31, 69
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