Dome of Varda

From Tolkien Gateway

The Dome of Varda was, in a later version of the legendarium, a false firmament above Valinor.[1] It was made by Varda to protect the airs of Valinor from Melkor, keeping out his spirits and spies. It was spangled with stars which were in fact very brilliant sparks. In consequence, the sun-day was not taken account in the reckoning of time by the Eldar dwelling in Aman.[2] This Dome inspired King Thingol to build his throne room, called Menelrond.[3]

Other names[edit | edit source]

The Dome of Varda was also called "the Great Dome of Valmar" ; or Nur-menel, the lesser firmament, by opposition to Tar-menel, the true firmament.

The expression can be also found in the plural form, as "Domes of Varda",[4][5] but it's not clear what these "domes" mean[6] (possibly a confusion with the "silver domes of Valmar"[7]).

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] IV", p.388
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: II. Valinorian Time-Divisions", p.10
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XII. The Problem of Ros", p.371
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: X. Difficulties in Chronology", p.71
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XI. Ageing of Elves", p.77
  6. http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=984434
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Fourth section of the Annals of Aman", p.98