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'''Menel''' was an [[Elvish]] (both [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]) name for the regions of air above [[Arda]], a name which is generally meant as "firmament, heaven" or "the heavens". Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies.  
'''Menel''' was an [[Elvish]] (both [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]) name for the regions of air above [[Arda]], a name which is generally meant as "firmament, heaven" or "the heavens".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''menel''</ref> Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies.  


Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars.
Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars.
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The word is understood as ''[[men (Elvish)|men]]'' "towards" + ''[[el]]'' "star" meaning "the Direction of the Stars".<ref name="RGEO">{{RGEO|7}}, p. 72</ref>
The word is understood as ''[[men (Elvish)|men]]'' "towards" + ''[[el]]'' "star" meaning "the Direction of the Stars".<ref name="RGEO">{{RGEO|7}}, p. 72</ref>
The loremaster [[Quennar]] is attributed as having devised the word ''Menel'' ("heavens, firmament").<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 84</ref>
==Examples==
==Examples==
Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including [[Meneltarma]] (the "Pillar of Heaven"), [[Meneldil]], [[Tar-Meneldur]], [[Armenelos]] and [[Meneldor]].   
Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including [[Meneltarma]] (the "Pillar of Heaven"), [[Meneldil]], [[Tar-Meneldur]], [[Armenelos]] and [[Meneldor]].   


It also appears in ''[[A Elbereth Gilthoniel]]'' "''[[o]] [[menel]] [[aglar]] [[elen]][[-ath|ath]]''" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven")<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>
It also appears in ''[[A Elbereth Gilthoniel]]'' "''o [[menel]] [[aglar]] [[elen]][[-ath|ath]]''" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven").<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>


[[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] used it in his invocation from [[Cirith Ungol]]: "''o menel [[palan]]-[[tir|diriel]]''" ("from heaven gazing afar")<ref>{{TT|IV10}}</ref>
[[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] used it in his invocation from [[Cirith Ungol]]: "''o menel [[palan]]-[[tir|diriel]]''" ("from heaven gazing afar").<ref>{{TT|IV10}}</ref>


==Derivatives==
==Derivatives==
It already existed in [[Avarin]]{{fact}}, and survived as such in [[Adûnaic]] ''[[minal]]''.
It already existed in [[Avarin]], and survived as such in [[Adûnaic]] ''minal''.<ref>{{SD|3vi}} p.414</ref>
 
==See also==
*[[Tarmenel]]
{{references}}
{{cosmology}}
{{cosmology}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Cosmology]]
[[Category: Sindarin words]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category: Cosmology]]
[[fi:Menel]]
[[fi:Menel]]

Revision as of 21:44, 17 November 2019

Menel was an Elvish (both Quenya and Sindarin) name for the regions of air above Arda, a name which is generally meant as "firmament, heaven" or "the heavens".[1] Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies.

Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars.

Etymology

The word is understood as men "towards" + el "star" meaning "the Direction of the Stars".[2]

The loremaster Quennar is attributed as having devised the word Menel ("heavens, firmament").[3]

Examples

Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including Meneltarma (the "Pillar of Heaven"), Meneldil, Tar-Meneldur, Armenelos and Meneldor.

It also appears in A Elbereth Gilthoniel "o menel aglar elenath" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven").[4]

Sam used it in his invocation from Cirith Ungol: "o menel palan-diriel" ("from heaven gazing afar").[5]

Derivatives

It already existed in Avarin, and survived as such in Adûnaic minal.[6]

See also

References

Middle-earth Cosmology
 Constellations  Anarríma · Durin's Crown · Menelmacar · Remmirath · Soronúmë · Telumendil · Valacirca · Wilwarin
Stars  Alcarinquë · Borgil · Carnil · Elemmírë · Helluin · Luinil · Lumbar · Morwinyon · Nénar · Star of Eärendil · Til 
The Airs  Aiwenórë · Fanyamar · Ilmen · Menel · Vaiya · Veil of Arda · Vista
Narsilion  Arien · Moon (Isil, Ithil, Rána) · Sun (Anar, Anor, Vása) · Tilion
See also  Abyss · Arda · Circles of the World · · Timeless Halls · Two Lamps · Two Trees · Void