Vingilot

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Eärendil's Ship by John Howe
"...he built a boat of timber felled
in Nimbrethil to journey in
her sails he wove of silver fair
of silver were her lanterns made
her prow was fashioned like a swan
and light upon her banners laid
"
Song of Eärendil

Vingilótë, known in various tongues as Vingilot, Foam-Flower and Rothinzil, was the ship in which Eärendil and Elwing sailed to Aman to seek pardon and assistance from the Valar.

History

Vingilótë was built between First Age 528 and 532 by Eärendil and Círdan the Shipwright at the Havens of Sirion. The ship was among the greatest ever made, with a white hull made of beechwood from the Nimbrethil Forest, golden oars, and a sail woven with silver.

Guided by the light of a Silmaril, Eärendil navigated Vingilótë through the Shadowy Seas to the Blessed Realm of Aman, the first Mortal to do so. He was not allowed, however, to return to Middle-earth, except to join the host of the Valar in the final War of Wrath against Morgoth.

After the War of Wrath, Eärendil, with the Silmaril upon his brow, sailed Vingilótë into the sky where the jewel shines forever as a morning star, the Star of Eärendil.

Etymology

Vingilótë means "Foam-flower" in Quenya (from winga = "foam, spray" and lótë = "flower"). Vingilot (or Vingelot) is the Sindarin version of its name.

See Also