Irmo

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Irmo
Vala
Maureval - Irmo Lorien.png
"Irmo Lorien" by Maureval
Biographical Information
Other namesLórien
PositionMaster of Visions and Dreams
LocationLórien, Valinor
Family
SiblingsMandos and Nienna
SpouseEstë
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Irmo

Irmo, more commonly known as Lórien, was the Vala who was the "Master of Visions and Dreams" and kept the Gardens of Lórien after which he was usually called thereafter.

Attributes

He was the younger brother of Námo (more commonly known as Mandos) and Nienna. Irmo and Námo were the Fëanturi, the "masters of spirits". Irmo was the "master of visions, dreams and desires".[1]

History

Irmo's gardens were in the land of the Valar at Lórien, where he dwelt with his spouse Estë the Gentle.[1] He dwelt far away from Valmar though still within the Realm of Valinor. His dwellings were built south at the feet of the great mountains of Aman. Aulë (Greatest Craftsman of the Valar) had created Irmo's halls of mist gathering beyond Avathar from the misty shadowy seas. The halls of Irmo were great and dimly lit, and the wide gardens of Irmo wandered marvelously about and winded near to the feet of the great silver tree Telperion whose shining lit Irmo's gardens, the Gardens of Lórien. Yavanna (Queen of the Earth) had given Irmo a great wealth of yew trees and cedars, and pines that exuded drowsy aromas at dusk, and these trees were hung over deep pools of water. In the midst of his gardens, Irmo set a ring of shadowy yew trees reaching high above his cauldron "Silindrin" where he would gaze upon it and see many visions.[2] Together, Irmo and Estë had provided a refuge in Valinor in the groves and gardens of Lórien. Hence, there in his fair gardens, Irmo had offered the Eldar with the guiding of visions and dreams. As for Irmo's spouse, she had granted solace and healed physical illnesses.[1]

During the Noontide of Valinor when the Elves lived in Valinor, after giving birth to her infamous son Fëanor, Míriel eventually grew weary and tired of her earthly life and yearned release from the labor of living. Then Míriel's spouse, Finwë was grieved indeed and sought the counsel of Manwë of the Valar. Hence, Manwë decided to send Míriel to be under the care of Irmo. So Míriel went to Irmo's gardens and laid down to rest but her spirit quickly departed silently from her body to the Halls of Mandos never coming back thereafter.[3]

When the Sun and Moon were originally set in their paths, Queen Varda purposed that the two vessels should journey in Ilmen and ever be aloft. It was largely due to the prayers of Irmo and Estë who said that "sleep and rest had been banished from the Earth." Therefore, Varda changed her council and allowed for a time of night where the world would still have shadows and half-light.[4]

Other Versions of the legendarium

In the beginning, when Darkness had not yet been corrupted by Melkor, Irmo used the embrace of darkness which was soothing at that time to convey his visions. For initially, Darkness and Light were indeed originally brethren and neither sought to dominate each other. Therefore at that time, there was great splendour and brightness in Light; even so, the Darkness was sought for comfort and rest in the shadows.[5]

In the earlier versions regarding Irmo, the Istari Olôrin dwelt with Irmo in Lórien for a time in Valinor. And it was said that Olôrin became like a counselor of Irmo. So when the hearts of those who hearkened to Irmo, would awake thoughts of fair things that might not have been made yet for the enrichment of Arda.[6]

Etymology=

Irmo (pronounced [ˈirmo]) is a Quenya name meaning "Desirer" or "Master of Desire".[7] His common name Lórien (Quenya; [ˈloːri.en]) means "Land of Dreams", so he was also given the title "Master of Dreams".[source?]

In early versions of the legendarium, this Vala (variously spelt Lorien and Lôrien) was given many different surnames: Qenya Olofantur (the element fantur, a derivative of the root FANA, refers to "visions, dreams, falling asleep")[8], Qenya Fulmur (probably from the root FUMU, "sleep"), and Gnomish Losfan (consisting of oloth "a dream, apparition, vision" + ending -fan, thus (o)loth-fan > Losfan).[9] Gnomish renderings of his first name included Glurim (containing the element lûr "slumber") and Lûriel or Lúriel (> Lúrin).[9][8][10]

Genealogy

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vairë
 
Mandos
 
Nienna
 
IRMO
 
Estë
 
 
 


References

Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar