Land of the Sun

From Tolkien Gateway
(Redirected from Uttermost East)
Land of the Sun
Continent
Šárka Škorpíková - Arda.jpeg
"Arda" by Šárka Škorpíková
General Information
Other namesBurnt Land of the Sun, Eastern Land, Eastland, Easterness
LocationEast of the East Sea
TypeContinent
RegionsWalls of the Sun

The Land of the Sun, also known as the Burnt Land of the Sun, Easterness, Eastland,[1] and Eastern Land,[2] was a continent in the far east of Arda that corresponded symmetrically to Aman in the far west. The land was separated from Middle-earth by the waters of the East Sea. In the Land of the Sun was a great, curve-shaped mountain range called the Walls of the Sun.[2]

The Land of the Sun likely comprised all or part of the Empty Lands that Ilúvatar "cast back" during the Downfall of Númenor.[3]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In The Book of Lost Tales Part One, the easternmost land of Arda was called Oronto (Oronto, a Qenya word for "East", was a name for the Uttermost East).[4] This region was connected to the Great Lands, laying directly east of Palisor, with no separating water. The huge peak Kalormë stood in Oronto.[5]:212

Oromë described the East to the Valar, saying that "there is a silent beach and dark empty seas".[5]:214 It is also told that Aulë and Ulmo "builded great havens [of the Sun and Moon] beside the soundless sea".[5]:215

See also[edit | edit source]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Map V", p. 250
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Of the Fashion of the World", p. 239
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part One: II. The Fall of Númenor, (iv) The further development of The Fall of Númenor", p. 32 ("If this region [the Empty Lands] ... is to be related to Ambarkanta Map V it must be what is there called the Burnt Land of the Sun; perhaps also the Dark Land")
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entry "Oronto"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "IX. The Hiding of Valinor"