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[[File:Ted Nasmith - Felagund Among Bëor’s Men.jpg|thumb|Finrod first discovers the Edain]]
[[File:Svirina Vera - Finrod and Beor.jpg|thumb|''Finrod and Beor'' by [[:Category:Images by Svirina Vera|Svirina Vera]]]]
The '''Children of [[Ilúvatar]]''' are the two races of [[Elves]] and [[Men]]. Their existence, along with the [[|Universe]] in which they were to live, was conceived in the [[Music of the Ainur]], but the [[Ainur]] had no part in their making. Ilúvatar alone brought them into being, and they had ''[[fëar]]'' (spirits) of the same type as the Ainur, though far less powerful.


{{quote|...when we name you "Children of Eru" we do not speak lightly; [...] and we proclaim that ye are our kin, in a kinship far closer (both of [[Fëa and hröa|hröa and fëa]]) than that which binds together all other creatures of Arda, and ourselves to them.|[[Finrod]] in the ''[[Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth]]''}}
The '''Children of Ilúvatar''', also '''Híni Ilúvataro''' or '''Eruhíni''',<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref><ref>{{S|Elements}}</ref> are the two races of [[Elves]] and [[Men]]. Their existence, along with the [[Eä|Universe]] in which they were to live, was conceived in the [[Music of the Ainur]], but the [[Ainur]] had no part in their making. [[Ilúvatar]] alone brought them into being, and they had ''[[fëar]]'' (spirits) of the same type as the Ainur, though far less powerful.
==History==
Unlike the Ainur, however, the Children were intended to exist as a union of flesh and spirit; their bodies, or ''[[hröar]]'', are as integral to their being as their ''[[fëar]]''. As such, they are also called [[Incarnate|Incarnates]].
Unlike the Ainur, however, the Children were intended to exist as a union of flesh and spirit; their bodies, or ''[[hröar]]'', are as integral to their being as their ''[[fëar]]''. As such, they are also called [[Incarnate|Incarnates]].


While their status as embodied souls created by Ilùvatar makes them extraordinarily alike, each Kindred of the Children was also bestowed with different gifts from their maker. The Elves received great beauty, near [[immortality]], skill with arts and crafts, and keen memories. Men, on the other hand, were given freedom to act outside the boundaries set by the [[Music of the Ainur]], eventual [[Dominion of Men|supremacy]] over [[Middle-earth]], and [[Gift of Men|mortality]].
While their status as embodied souls created by Ilùvatar makes them extraordinarily alike, each Kindred of the Children was also bestowed with different gifts from their maker. The Elves received great beauty, near [[immortality]], skill with arts and crafts, and keen memories. Men, on the other hand, were given freedom to act outside the boundaries set by the [[Music of the Ainur]], eventual [[Dominion of Men|supremacy]] over [[Middle-earth]], and [[Gift of Men|mortality]].<ref>{{S|Beginning}}</ref>


Elves were the first of the Children of Ilúvatar to appear in [[Middle-earth]]; Men were not to follow until the rising of the [[Sun]] and the beginning of the [[First Age]], many thousands of years later.
Elves were the first of the Children of Ilúvatar to appear in [[Middle-earth]]; Men were not to follow until the rising of the [[Sun]] and the beginning of the [[First Age]], many thousands of years later. Both Kindreds awoke in the far east of Middle-earth: the Elves at [[Cuiviénen]] and Men in [[Hildórien]].


Both Kindreds awoke in the far east of Middle-earth: the Elves at [[Cuiviénen]] and Men in [[Hildórien]].
The [[Dwarves]], while also incarnates, are not typically called Children of Ilúvatar, for though they were given sapience and independent being by [[Ilúvatar]], they were in fact created by [[Aulë]]. When Eru gave blessing to Aulë's work, he distinguished the Dwarves from Elves and Men by calling them "the children of my adoption" while referring to Elves and Men as "the children of my choice."<ref>{{S|Aule}}</ref>


The [[Dwarves]], while also incarnates, are not typically called Children of Ilúvatar, for though they were given sapience and independent being by [[Ilúvatar|Eru]], they were in fact created by [[Aulë]]. When Eru gave blessing to Aulë's work, he distinguished the Dwarves from Elves and Men by calling them "the children of my adoption" while referring to Elves and Men as "the children of my choice."
==Parallels between Men and Elves==
==Parallels between Men and Elves==
[[File:Sara M. Morello - I will tell him - Andreth and Finrod.jpg|thumb|''Andreth and Finrod'' by [[:Category:Images by Sara M. Morello|Sara M. Morello]]]]
The history of Men and their races throughout the Ages, bore some similarities to that of the Elves, especially during the [[First Age]].
The history of Men and their races throughout the Ages, bore some similarities to that of the Elves, especially during the [[First Age]].


Both Elves and Men originated somewhere in the East ([[Cuiviénen]] and [[Hildórien]]) and then both marched for the [[West]] ([[Eldar]] and [[Edain]]) leaving some of them behind ([[Avari]] and [[Men of Darkness]]).
Both Elves and Men originated somewhere in the East ([[Cuiviénen]] and [[Hildórien]]) and then both marched for the [[Westlands|West]] ([[Eldar]] and [[Edain]]) leaving many of them behind ([[Avari]] and [[Men of Darkness]]).


They were divided mainly into three groups ([[Vanyar]]/[[Noldor]]/[[Teleri]] and [[House of Beor]]/[[House of Hador]]/[[House of Haleth]]) when they reached [[Beleriand]].
They were divided mainly into three groups ([[Vanyar]]/[[Noldor]]/[[Teleri]] and [[House of Beor]]/[[House of Hador]]/[[House of Haleth]]) when they reached [[Beleriand]].
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Eventually some of them ([[Calaquendi]] and [[Númenóreans]]) passed the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] and reached a western place ([[Valinor]] and [[Númenor]]). They advanced and prospered near the [[Light of Valinor]] while their kin were left behind in [[Middle-earth]].
Eventually some of them ([[Calaquendi]] and [[Númenóreans]]) passed the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] and reached a western place ([[Valinor]] and [[Númenor]]). They advanced and prospered near the [[Light of Valinor]] while their kin were left behind in [[Middle-earth]].


There, some were corrupted by the [[Sauron|Enemy]] which caused a Fall ([[Noldolante]] and [[Atalante]]). A part of them returned to Middle-earth and founded realms ([[Exile of the Noldor]] and [[Realms in Exile]]) becoming Kings among their "lesser" kin.
There, some were corrupted by the [[Sauron|Enemy]] which caused a Fall ([[Fall of the Noldor|Noldolantë]] and [[Downfall of Númenor|Atalantë]]). A part of them returned to Middle-earth and founded realms ([[Exile of the Noldor]] and [[Realms in Exile]]) becoming Kings among their "lesser" kin.
 
==See also==


*[[Eruhíni]]
==Etymology==
'''''Eruhíni''''' (sing. ''Eruhin'') is the [[Quenya]] term. It contains the name ''[[Eru]]'', [[the One]] (a name for [[Ilúvatar]]) and ''hína'' ("child").<ref name=WJ>{{WJ|AD1}}, p. 403</ref>


The [[Sindarin]] cognate was '''''Eruchîn'''''.<ref>{{LB|4}}, p. 354 (cf. Index)</ref>
{{references}}
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Races]]



Revision as of 12:01, 25 March 2021

Finrod and Beor by Svirina Vera
"...when we name you "Children of Eru" we do not speak lightly; [...] and we proclaim that ye are our kin, in a kinship far closer (both of hröa and fëa) than that which binds together all other creatures of Arda, and ourselves to them."
Finrod in the Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth

The Children of Ilúvatar, also Híni Ilúvataro or Eruhíni,[1][2] are the two races of Elves and Men. Their existence, along with the Universe in which they were to live, was conceived in the Music of the Ainur, but the Ainur had no part in their making. Ilúvatar alone brought them into being, and they had fëar (spirits) of the same type as the Ainur, though far less powerful.

History

Unlike the Ainur, however, the Children were intended to exist as a union of flesh and spirit; their bodies, or hröar, are as integral to their being as their fëar. As such, they are also called Incarnates.

While their status as embodied souls created by Ilùvatar makes them extraordinarily alike, each Kindred of the Children was also bestowed with different gifts from their maker. The Elves received great beauty, near immortality, skill with arts and crafts, and keen memories. Men, on the other hand, were given freedom to act outside the boundaries set by the Music of the Ainur, eventual supremacy over Middle-earth, and mortality.[3]

Elves were the first of the Children of Ilúvatar to appear in Middle-earth; Men were not to follow until the rising of the Sun and the beginning of the First Age, many thousands of years later. Both Kindreds awoke in the far east of Middle-earth: the Elves at Cuiviénen and Men in Hildórien.

The Dwarves, while also incarnates, are not typically called Children of Ilúvatar, for though they were given sapience and independent being by Ilúvatar, they were in fact created by Aulë. When Eru gave blessing to Aulë's work, he distinguished the Dwarves from Elves and Men by calling them "the children of my adoption" while referring to Elves and Men as "the children of my choice."[4]

Parallels between Men and Elves

Andreth and Finrod by Sara M. Morello

The history of Men and their races throughout the Ages, bore some similarities to that of the Elves, especially during the First Age.

Both Elves and Men originated somewhere in the East (Cuiviénen and Hildórien) and then both marched for the West (Eldar and Edain) leaving many of them behind (Avari and Men of Darkness).

They were divided mainly into three groups (Vanyar/Noldor/Teleri and House of Beor/House of Hador/House of Haleth) when they reached Beleriand.

Eventually some of them (Calaquendi and Númenóreans) passed the Great Sea and reached a western place (Valinor and Númenor). They advanced and prospered near the Light of Valinor while their kin were left behind in Middle-earth.

There, some were corrupted by the Enemy which caused a Fall (Noldolantë and Atalantë). A part of them returned to Middle-earth and founded realms (Exile of the Noldor and Realms in Exile) becoming Kings among their "lesser" kin.

Etymology

Eruhíni (sing. Eruhin) is the Quenya term. It contains the name Eru, the One (a name for Ilúvatar) and hína ("child").[5]

The Sindarin cognate was Eruchîn.[6]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Aulë and Yavanna"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", p. 403
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "IV. The Lay of Leithian Recommenced", p. 354 (cf. Index)