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[[Image:Butterflies.jpg|thumb|''Hundreds of Butterflies'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Hundreds of Butterflies.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Hundreds of Butterflies'']]
'''Butterflies''' were insects with large often colorful wings.  
'''Butterflies''' were insects with large wings, often colorful.


==History==
==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'.<ref>{{H|8}}</ref>
A legend says that all kinds of butterflies appeared in the [[Nan-tathren|Land of Willows]].<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 154</ref>


==Other versions of the legendarium==
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>


Where the River [[Narog]] flowed into [[Sirion]], there was a lush valley filled with willow trees, a place understandably known as the [[Nan-tathren|Land of Willows]]. According to the legends of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', this was the place were butterflies of all kinds came into the world, and they remained common there during the [[First Age]].<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 154</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>


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 [[Wilwarin]].</ref> 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 [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, "butterfly" is ''gwilbrin'' (or ''-vrin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 45</ref>


{{references|note}}
{{references|note}}
[[Category:Butterflies]]
[[Category:Butterflies]]

Revision as of 07:44, 24 April 2021

Ted Nasmith - Hundreds of Butterflies

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

  1. 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.
  2. Christopher Tolkien associates it with Cassiopeia

References