Luinil

From Tolkien Gateway

Luinil was one of the bright stars placed in the sky by Varda at the time of the awakening of the Elves in Middle-earth.[1] Its identity is uncertain, though the fact that its name contains the Elvish word luin, meaning 'blue', does offer a clue.

The only remote explanation offered by Tolkien was a rough and uncertain note that seems to link Luinil to the planet we call Neptune. As Christopher Tolkien notes, though, this dark and distant object, too faint to be seen by the naked eye, would hardly qualify as a 'bright star'.[2] Another alternative would be blue Rigel in Orion, making Luinil the mate of red Borgil. Two other possibilities - based purely on the fact that they are both bright blue stars - would be Spica in Virgo or Regulus in Leo.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Luinil is probably Quenya for "Blue Star", as Paul Strack explains, being a compound of luinë ("blue") + el ("star").[3]

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