Butterflies: Difference between revisions
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
{{references}} | In [[Quenya]], the word for "butterfly" is ''[[wilwarin]]'' (pl. ''wilwarindi'').<ref group="note">''Wilwarin'' was a name the [[Elves]] also gave to a constellation of stars. Cf. article [[Wilwatin]].</ref> Cognates of the same meaning are [[Telerin]] ''vilverin'', [[Noldorin]] ''gwilwileth'', and [[Ilkorin]] ''gwilwering''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 398 (root [[WIL|WIL-]])</ref> | ||
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[[Category:Butterflies]] | [[Category:Butterflies]] | ||
Revision as of 19:03, 13 March 2011
Butterflies, or wilwarindi, were insects with large often colorful wings.
History
Although mentioned several times in the written records of Arda, they are only actually seen on one occasion: Bilbo Baggins finds them fluttering above the treetops of Mirkwood. Like other creatures that lived in that dark wood, its butterflies had turned completely black in colour, and so that variety is referred to as the 'black emperor'.[1]
Other versions of the legendarium
Where the River Narog flowed into Sirion, there was a lush valley filled with willow trees, a place understandably known as the Land of Willows, or Nan-tathren in Elvish. According to the legends of The Book of Lost Tales, this was the place were butterflies of all kinds came into the world, and they remained common there during the First Age.[2]
Etymology
In Quenya, the word for "butterfly" is wilwarin (pl. wilwarindi).[note 1] Cognates of the same meaning are Telerin vilverin, Noldorin gwilwileth, and Ilkorin gwilwering.[3]
Notes
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Flies and Spiders"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin", p. 154
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 398 (root WIL-)
