Meneltarma

From Tolkien Gateway
The name Holy Mountain refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Holy Mountain (disambiguation).
Meneltarma
Mountain
Peter Xavier Price - Meneltarma.jpg
"Meneltarma" by Peter Xavier Price
General Information
PronunciationQ, [ˌmɛnɛlˈtarma]
LocationMittalmar, central Elenna
TypeMountain
DescriptionTallest mountain peak in the continent
People and History
InhabitantsEagles
CreatedBeginning of the Second Age
EventsThree Prayers
GalleryImages of Meneltarma

Meneltarma was a sacred mountain in the centre of Númenor.

History[edit | edit source]

The mountain, also known as the Holy Mountain, was sacred to the Númenóreans as a holy place devoted to Eru Ilúvatar. A requirement of absolute silence was imposed on any who climbed the mountain. The tradition was so strong and universal that even foreigners felt bound by it. Only the King was allowed to utter prayers and thanksgivings to Eru Ilúvatar, during the feasts of Erukyermë, Erulaitalë and Eruhantalë.

Birds and animals did not approach the site, and only the Eagles of Manwë were seen circling over the summit. They were also regarded as sacred guardians of the mountain and all the land.

Geography[edit | edit source]

Meneltarma was the highest peak of the island. It stood at the centre of the island, geographically in the inland regions called Mittalmar.

The base of Meneltarma sloped gently and divided itself into five roots reaching out towards the five divisions of the land. These roots were called Tarmasundar, the Roots of the Pillar, gentle grass-covered highlands. On the southern slopes were located the tombs of Kings and Queens of Númenor, in a valley called Noirinan.

However, near the summit the slopes became more vertical and could not be ascended easily. The kings later built a spiral road to the peak, beginning at the southern tip of the mountain and winding up to the lip of the summit in the north.

At the foot of the Meneltarma by Jef Murray

Meneltarma had a flattened and somehow depressed summit, which was so broad that was able to contain a great multitude during religious ceremonies. However no permanent structure was erected there, and the ceremonies took place in open air. It was said that on a clear day the 'far-sighted' might see Tol Eressëa.

After the destruction of Númenor in which fire burst from the Meneltarma, some amongst the Exiles believed that the Hallow of Eru upon the summit of the mountain remained as an isle in Belegaer. Some Dúnedain are even said to have set sail trying to reach the isle, from which the legend held that one could catch a glimpse of the unreachable Aman.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Meneltarma is Quenya for "Pillar of Heaven",[2] from menel ("the heavens, firmament, sky") + tarma ("pillar").[3]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

The name for the mountain went through a number of iterations. Tolkien considered Menelmin, Menelmindo, Menelminda, and Menelmindon before he finally selected Meneltarma.[4]

References

Númenor
Andor · Atalantë · Elenna · Mar-nu-Falmar · Númenórë · Westernesse
Regions Andustar · Arandor · Emerië · Forostar · Hyarastorni · Hyarnustar · Hyarrostar · Mittalmar · Nísimaldar · Orrostar
Towns and cities Almaida · Andúnië · Armenelos · Eldalondë · Moriondë · Nindamos · Ondosto · Rómenna
Buildings Calmindon · Eämbar · King's Court · Temple · White House of Erendis
Natural features Bay of Eldanna · Bay of Rómenna · Firth of Rómenna · Hallow of Eru · Meneltarma (mountain) · Nísinen (lake) · North Cape · Nunduinë (river) · Oromet (mountain) · Siril (river) · Sorontil (mountain) · Tarmasundar (ridges) · Tompollë
Plants and trees Fragrant Trees · Lairelossë · Laurinquë · Lavaralda · Nessamelda · Nimloth · Oiolairë · Taniquelassë · Vardarianna · Yavannamírë
Heirlooms Aranrúth · Bow of Bregor · Dramborleg · Elendilmir · Narsil · Palantíri · Ring of Barahir · Sceptre of Annúminas · Sceptre of Númenor · Tile and Textiles · Helmet
Concepts Adûnaic · Ban of the Valar · Council of the Sceptre · Downfall of Númenor · Great Bear-dance · Heirship · Númenórean Sindarin · Three Prayers (Eruhantalë · Erukyermë · Erulaitalë)
Key people Aldarion · Amandil · Anárion · Captain of the King's Ships · Elendil · Elros (House of Elros) · Erendis · Faithful · Great Armament · Guild of Venturers · Guild of Weaponsmiths · Isildur · Kings and Queens of Númenor · King's Archers · King's Men · Lords of Andúnië · Meneldur · Miriel · Palantir · Pharazôn · Sauron · Silmariën
Main texts The Silmarillion ("Akallabêth") · Unfinished Tales ("A Description of the Island of Númenor" · "Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife" · "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor") · The Lord of the Rings ("Appendix A" · "Appendix B") · The Nature of Middle-earth ("Lives of the Númenóreans" · "Of the land and beasts of Númenor")