Butterflies: Difference between revisions
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[[ | [[File:Ted Nasmith - Hundreds of Butterflies.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Hundreds of Butterflies'']] | ||
'''Butterflies''' were insects with large often colorful | '''Butterflies''' were insects with large wings, often colorful. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
A legend says that all kinds of butterflies appeared in the [[Nan-tathren|Land of Willows]].<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 154</ref> | |||
= | Butterflies are noted for their wings bearing colorful markings, and the "[[Wikipedia:purple emperor|purple emperor]]" type loves the top of [[oak]]-woods. In [[Mirkwood]] however, [[Bilbo Baggins]] found hundreds of totally black butterflies, without any markings, at the treetops and he imagined them as 'black emperors'.<ref>{{H|8}}</ref><ref group=note>Although not mentioned specifically, it is possible that these butterflies, like other creatures of Mirkwood, were infected by the [[Shadow]] of [[Dol Guldur]] to which they owed this color.</ref> | ||
Some of [[Gandalf]]'s fireworks fluttered like butterflies.<ref>{{FR|Party|50}}, p. 27</ref> | |||
''[[Wilwarin]]'' is also a name the [[Elves]] gave to a [[constellation]] of stars.<ref group=note>[[Christopher Tolkien]] associates it with [[Wikipedia:Cassiopeia (constellation)|Cassiopeia]]</ref> | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
In [[Quenya]], the word for "butterfly" is ''wilwarin'' (pl. ''wilwarindi''). Cognates of the same meaning are [[Telerin]] ''vilverin'', [[Noldorin]] ''gwilwileth'', and [[Ilkorin]] ''gwilwering''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 398 (root [[WIL|WIL-]])</ref> | |||
''Wilwarin'' also appears in earlier [[Qenya]], and also the word ''wilwarindon'' ("like a butterfly").<ref>{{PE|16}}, p. 63</ref> | |||
In [[Gnomish]], "butterfly" is ''gwilbrin'' (or ''-vrin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 45</ref> | |||
In [[ | |||
{{references|note}} | {{references|note}} | ||
[[Category:Butterflies]] | [[Category:Butterflies]] |
Revision as of 07:44, 24 April 2021
Butterflies were insects with large wings, often colorful.
History
A legend says that all kinds of butterflies appeared in the Land of Willows.[1]
Butterflies are noted for their wings bearing colorful markings, and the "purple emperor" type loves the top of oak-woods. In Mirkwood however, Bilbo Baggins found hundreds of totally black butterflies, without any markings, at the treetops and he imagined them as 'black emperors'.[2][note 1]
Some of Gandalf's fireworks fluttered like butterflies.[3]
Wilwarin is also a name the Elves gave to a constellation of stars.[note 2]
Etymology
In Quenya, the word for "butterfly" is wilwarin (pl. wilwarindi). Cognates of the same meaning are Telerin vilverin, Noldorin gwilwileth, and Ilkorin gwilwering.[4]
Wilwarin also appears in earlier Qenya, and also the word wilwarindon ("like a butterfly").[5] In Gnomish, "butterfly" is gwilbrin (or -vrin).[6]
Notes
- ↑ Although not mentioned specifically, it is possible that these butterflies, like other creatures of Mirkwood, were infected by the Shadow of Dol Guldur to which they owed this color.
- ↑ Christopher Tolkien associates it with Cassiopeia
References
- ↑ 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, The Hobbit, "Flies and Spiders"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (50th Anniv. Ed.), The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Long-expected Party", p. 27
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 398 (root WIL-)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Early Elvish Poetry and Pre-Fëanorian Alphabets", in Parma Eldalamberon XVI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, Carl F. Hostetter and Bill Welden), p. 63
- ↑ 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), p. 45