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{{noldor infobox
| name=Celebrimbor
| image=[[File:Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif|250px]]
| caption="Celebrimbor" by [[Angus McBride]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˌkɛlɛˈbrɪmbɔr]}}
| othernames=''Telperinquar''/''Telpinquar'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| titles=Lord of Eregion
| position=
| location=[[Eldamar]]</br>[[Nargothrond]]</br>[[Eregion]]
| affiliation=[[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]]
| language=[[Quenya]] & [[Sindarin]]
| birth=Before {{YT|1495}}<ref name=PMXnotes>{{PM|XNotes}}, Note 7, pp. 317-9</ref>
| birthlocation=[[Aman]]
| rule={{SA|750}} - {{SA|1697|n}} (for 947 years)
| death={{SA|1697}}
| deathlocation=[[Sack of Eregion]], [[Ost-in-Edhil]]
| age=2,334+
| notablefor=Creating the [[Three Rings]]</br>Inscribing the [[Doors of Durin]]
| house=[[House of Fëanor]]
| parentage=[[Curufin]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{Quote|In [[Eregion]] the craftsmen of the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]], the People of the Jewel-smiths, surpassed in cunning all that have ever wrought, save only [[Fëanor]] himself; and indeed greatest in skill among them was Celebrimbor, son of [[Curufin]]...|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}
'''Celebrimbor''' forged the [[Three Rings]], mighty artifacts whose existence shaped the history of the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age|Third Ages]] of [[Middle-earth]]. As a craftsman, he was second only to [[Fëanor]],<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> his grandfather<ref name=PMXnotes/>.
==History==
=== First Age ===
[[File:Jenny Dolfen - Celebrimbor.jpg|thumb|left|''Celebrimbor'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
Celebrimbor was born in [[Aman]] during the [[Years of the Trees]]. Among [[Fëanor]]'s [[Sons of Fëanor|seven sons]], Celebrimbor's father [[Curufin]] was the chief inheritor of Fëanor's temperament and skills in craftsmanship.<ref name=Curufin>{{PM|XI7}}, p. 352</ref> In turn, Curufin passed these skills – but not this temper – on to Celebrimbor.<ref name=PMXnotes/>
Following the [[Darkening of Valinor]], Celebrimbor followed Fëanor into exile in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name=Nol>{{S|9}}, p. 37</ref> His unnamed mother remained behind with the people of [[Finarfin]].<ref name=PMXnotes/> Celebrimbor did not swear the [[Oath of Fëanor]]. It is unknown whether he took part in the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]]. It is also unknown whether he crossed the [[Belegaer]] in one of the stolen Falmari ships or if he followed [[Fingolfin]] across the [[Helcaraxë]].
Celebrimbor's whereabouts in Beleriand in the early [[Years of the Sun]] are unattested, but later events suggest that he dwelt with his father Curufin and uncle [[Celegorm]] in their realm of [[Himlad]].<ref>{{S|14}}, p. 58</ref> The realm lasted until the [[Dagor Bragollach]] in {{FA|455}}, in which [[Morgoth]] broke the [[Siege of Angband]]. After this defeat, Curufin and Celegorm fled to the southwest with many of their people, including Celebrimbor,<ref name=PMXnotes/> and took refuge with [[Finrod Felagund]] in his realm of [[Nargothrond]].<ref>{{S|18}}</ref>
Though they were but refugees and guests in Nargothrond, Curufin and Celegorm sought power, and they quickly gained great influence among the people. For his part, Celebrimbor was not involved in his father's schemes and came to love Finrod.<ref name=PMXnotes/>
In {{FA|465}}<ref>{{GA|192}}, p. 65</ref>, the brothers' [[Quest for the Silmaril|political machinations]] forced Finrod to surrender his crown to [[Orodreth]] and leave his realm. Their dominance would prove short-lived. Later that same year, captives freed from the dungeons of [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]] returned to Nargothrond and spoke against the brothers, revealing their treachery and turning the people against them. Orodreth would not suffer them to be slain and so exiled them from the realm.<ref name=Oro>{{S|19}}</ref>
When Celebrimbor learned the truth of his father and uncle's actions, he was "aghast" and parted ways with them. He was not subject to their exile and did not voluntarily follow them.<ref name=PMXnotes/> His whereabouts for the remainder of the First Age are unknown.
=== Second Age ===
{{expansion}}
==== Establishment of Eregion and the forging of the Rings of Power ====
The whereabouts of Celebrimbor during the early years of the [[Second Age]] are uncertain, but at some point, he became a great friend to [[Galadriel]] and [[Celeborn]],<ref name=PMXnotes/> and in {{SA|750}},<ref>{{App|SA}}, entry for the year 750, p. 1083</ref> Celebrimbor with many others of the exiled Noldor followed them to establish the realm of [[Eregion]] near to [[Khazad-dûm]], the mansions of the [[Longbeards|Longbeard]] [[Dwarves]]. This they did due to the discovery of ''[[mithril]]'' in the surrounding mountains.<ref name=SA>{{App|SA}}, p. 1082</ref>
Eventually, a great friendship arose between the Elves of Eregion and the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, such that was never before seen, and Celebrimbor became the [[Lord of Eregion]]<ref name=SA/> and the greatest of the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]], "People of the Jewel-smiths", who in their skill were second only to Fëanor, Celebrimbor's grandfather. There, Celebrimbor befriended [[Narvi|Narvi the Dwarf]],<ref>{{UT|Concerning}}</ref> who built the [[Doors of Durin]], and Celebrimbor inscribed the words upon it.<ref name=Dark>{{FR|Journey}}, p. 306</ref>
However, in {{SA|1200}}, [[Sauron]], under the fair guise of ''[[Annatar]]'', came to Eriador posing as an emissary of the [[Valar]]. He was rejected by [[Gil-galad]], the [[High King of the Noldor]], in [[Lindon]] (where he was not even admitted to), but although Galadriel did not trust him and treated him with scorn, he was nonetheless accepted by the smiths of Eregion, for Celebrimbor desired in his heart to rival the skill and fame of Fëanor.
In c. {{SA|1500}}, the Gwaith-i-Mírdain reached the height of their skill under the instruction of Sauron and began forging the [[Rings of Power]].
==== The War of the Elves and Sauron and death ====
Celebrimbor was ignorant of Sauron's true intentions, and he was unaware that Sauron had incorporated a binding magic into the rings. Furthermore, in secret, Sauron forged the [[One Ring]], a master ring that would rule all the lesser rings, to enable him to rule Middle-earth by controlling those that wore all the other rings. When Sauron placed the One Ring on his finger, claiming dominance over all the [[Rings of Power]] and their bearers, the Elves knew his true identity and intentions. Celebrimbor and the Elves of Eregion defied Sauron by withholding the other rings from him. Aside from the One Ring, the greatest rings were created by Celebrimbor himself, and these were never touched by Sauron and thus were uncorrupted by him, although they were still subject to the One Ring. These were the Three Rings of the Elves, and a chief source of the beauty that came about in the [[Third Age]]. Celebrimbor named them [[Vilya]], [[Narya]], and [[Nenya]] after the Middle-earth elements of air, fire and water. He sent the three rings to Elf-lords for safekeeping: Vilya and Narya to Gil-galad in Lindon; and Nenya to Galadriel. Celebrimbor also sent the mightiest of the seven to [[Durin III]] of Khazad-dûm.<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1076</ref>
Sauron retaliated by attacking Eregion, laying waste to the realm. Celebrimbor was captured in the chaos and was forced, under torture, to disclose the locations of the lesser rings, but he would not reveal the whereabouts of the Three. Celebrimbor died from his torment, and his body was shot with arrows and hung upon a pole, and was later paraded as a banner when Sauron attacked the Grey Havens.<ref>{{UT|Concerning}}</ref>
== Renowned works ==
* ''Possibly'' the [[Elessar of Eärendil]] (see [[Celebrimbor#The Elessar|below]] for more information)
* The ''[[ithildin]]'' inscriptions on the [[Doors of Durin]] (which were made by [[Narvi]])
* The [[Three Rings]]: [[Vilya]], [[Nenya]], and [[Narya]]
== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Celebrimbor.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Celebrimbor.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Celebrimbor''' ([[Years of the Trees]] [[Second Age]] 1697) was born in [[Valinor]], the son of [[Curufin]], fifth son of [[Fëanor]]. Aside from his grandfather, Celebrimbor was the greatest craftsman in the history of Middle-earth, and his forging of the [[Rings of Power]] led to the events chronicled in [[The Lord of the Rings]] trilogy.
The name ''Celebrimbor'' is in [[Sindarin]], meaning "Silver-fist"; it is comprised of the elements ''[[celebrin]]'' ("like silver in hue or worth") + ''[[paur]]'' ("fist, closed hand"),<ref name=Tel>{{PE|Eldarin}}, entry ''S'' '''Celebrimbor''', p. 42</ref> with the ending ''-bor'' in ''Celebrimbor'' being a suffixal form of ''paur''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Paul Strack]]|articleurl=http://eldamo.org/content/words/word-3689389101.html|articlename=S. ''Celebrimbor'' m.|website=Eldamo|accessed=11 August 2022}}</ref>
 
Its [[Quenya]] cognate is '''''Telperinquar''''' or '''''Telpinquar'''''.<ref name=Tel/>
 
For another, later etymology that contradicts the origins of the character of Celebrimbor as seen in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', see [[Celebrimbor#Eldarin Hands, Fingers, and Numerals|below]].
 
== Genealogy ==
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | MHT | | MIR |y| FIN |y| IND | | | | | | | | | | | | |MHT=[[Mahtan]]<br/><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>| MIR=[[Míriel]]<br/><small>''d. {{YT|1170}}''</small>|FIN=[[Finwë]]<br/><small>''d. {{YT|1495}}''</small>|IND=[[Indis]]<br/><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | |!| | | | | |!| | | |)|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree | NRD |~|y|~| FEA | | FDS | | FNG | | IRM | | FRF | | |NRD=[[Nerdanel]]<br/><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|FEA=[[Fëanor]]<br/><small>''{{YT|1169}} - {{YT|1497|n}}''</small>|FDS=[[Findis]]<br/><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|FNG=[[Fingolfin]]<br/><small>''{{YT|1190}} - {{FA|456}}''</small>|IRM=[[Írimë]]<br/><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|FRF=[[Finarfin]]<br/><small>''b. {{YT|1230}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|^|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | MDH | | MAG | | CEL | | CAR | | CUR | | AMD | | AMR |MDH=[[Maedhros]]<br/><small>''d. {{FA|587}}''</small>|MAG=[[Maglor]]<br/><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|CEL=[[Celegorm]]<br/><small>''d. {{FA|506}}''</small>|CAR=[[Caranthir]]<br/><small>''d. {{FA|506}}''</small>|CUR=[[Curufin]]<br/><small>''d. {{FA|506}}''</small>|AMD=[[Amrod]]<br/><small>''d. {{FA|538}}''</small>|AMR=[[Amras]]<br/><small>''d. {{FA|538}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CLB | | | | | | | | |CLB='''CELEBRIMBOR'''<br/><small>''d. {{SA|1697}}''</small>}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>
 
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
=== ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]'' ===
The character of Celebrimbor first appears in a draft chapter of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' called ''[[The Mines of Moria (chapter)|The Mines of Moria]]'' (from [[1939]]<ref>{{CG|C}}, entry '''August-autumn 1939''', p. 229</ref>),<ref name=Ret>{{RS|Moria}}, p. 449</ref> which would later become the chapter ''[[A Journey in the Dark]]'' in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' as published.<ref group=note>Before they were envisioned as being made by Celebrimbor in ''The Lord of the Rings'', the [[Rings of Power]] were imagined as creations of [[Fëanor]] himself.</ref><ref>{{TI|Galadriel}}, p. 255</ref>
 
There, as in ''The Lord of the Rings'', he is only mentioned by name when [[Gandalf]] was reading the inscription on the Doors of Durin:<ref name=Ret/>
 
{{blockquote|"They merely say: The Doors of Durin Lord of Moria. Speak friends and enter. And underneath very small and now faint is: [[Narvi#Other versions of the legendarium|Narfi]] made them. '''Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs'''."}}
 
The name ''Celebrimbor'' was also added to ''[[The Etymologies]]'', a linguistic work from the late 1930s, at around the same time. There, the name is given under the root [[KWAR]] ("clutching hand, fist"), and Celebrimbor's name was explained as meaning "Silver-fist" in [[Noldorin]] (which was a precursor language to [[Sindarin]]).<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry '''KWAR-''', p. 366</ref>
 
However, even though no origin of Celebrimbor was published until the second edition of ''The Lord of the Rings'' in [[1966]], Tolkien did in fact write one in the 1950s, which can be found in the next section of the article.
 
=== ''Concerning Galadriel & Celeborn'' and ''The Elessar'' ===
The first known origin story of Celebrimbor was written by Tolkien in c. [[1959]], occurring in a text called ''[[Concerning Galadriel & Celeborn]]''. There, Celebrimbor was described as an [[Gondolindrim|Elf]] of [[Gondolin]] (and one of [[Turgon]]'s "greatest artificers"), who, after the end of the First Age and the overthrow of Morgoth, became a follower of Celeborn and Galadriel,<ref name=Con>{{UT|Concerning}}, p. 235</ref> who were regarded as the "High Lord and Lady of all the Eldar of the West".<ref>{{NM|P3xvi}}, p. 347</ref>
 
After the establishment of Eregion,<ref group=note>This text states that the building of Ost-in-Edhil, the capital of Eregion, was begun in {{SA|750}}.</ref> Celebrimbor became the "chief craftsman of Eregion" with an "almost 'dwarvish' obsession with crafts", and befriended the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, of whom a dwarven craftsman called [[Narvi]] was his greatest friend<ref name=Con/> - from that friendship both Eregion and Khazad-dûm profited greatly.
 
In c. {{SA|1000}}, Sauron established himself in [[Mordor]], and sent emissaries to Eriador, before finally appearing there himself, in his fairest form, in {{SA|1200}}. However, he was rejected by Gil-galad in [[Lindon]], and after heading to Eregion, was likewise rejected by Galadriel and Celeborn, the original rulers of Eregion in this conception of the legendarium.<ref name=Ceb>{{UT|Concerning}}, p. 236</ref>
 
But even though Celeborn and Galadriel (who he perceived to be his chief obstacle) rejected him, Sauron, posing as an emissary of the Valar, nonetheless managed to convince Celebrimbor and the rest of the Noldorin smiths of Eregion, who by this time have formed a powerful guild called the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]], to accept his help in the forging of the Rings of Power;<ref name=Bor>{{UT|Concerning}}, pp. 236-7</ref> here Tolkien states that the story of Fëanor was repeated.
 
Therefore, Celebrimbor and his followers (under the influence of Sauron) rebelled against Galadriel and Celeborn,<ref group=note>In this text, it is said that Celebrimbor was "secretly anxious to rival the skill and fame of Fëanor".</ref> and, sometime between {{SA|1350}} and {{SA|1400|n}}, Galadriel withdrew from Eregion and went to [[Lórinand]] (which would later be known as ''Lórien''), via Khazad-dûm, and took up rule there. However, Celeborn, owing to his distrust of the Dwarves, remained in Eregion "disregarded by Celebrimbor".
 
In c. {{SA|1500}}, Sauron left Eregion, some time after the Mírdain started crafting the Rings of Power.
 
When in c. {{SA|1600}} Sauron forged the [[One Ring]], Celebrimbor finally discovered his true intentions, and he repented. Therefore he went to Lórinand to seek Galadriel's advice;<ref group=note>Tolkien wrote here that they "should have destroyed all the Rings of Power at this time, 'but they failed to find the strength'".</ref> she advised him to hide the [[Three Rings]] (which were the three Great Rings made solely by Celebrimbor) and send them away far from Eregion, never to be used, after which Celebrimbor gave one of them ([[Nenya]]) to her keeping. Following that, he entrusted the other two rings ([[Vilya]] and [[Narya]]) to Gil-galad in Lindon.<ref group=note>According to this text, at this time, Gil-galad gave Narya to [[Círdan]]; however, according to a later note, it is said that Gil-galad kept both rings until the [[War of the Last Alliance]].</ref>
 
After Sauron learned of Celebrimbor's repentance, he invaded Eriador and besieged Eregion. And even though help was on the way, from Celeborn with his son [[Amroth]] and the [[Nandor]] of Lórinand, along with the Dwarves of Moria, ''and'' from an army sent by Gil-galad under the command of Elrond from the west, it did not arrive in time. Therefore:
 
{{blockquote|Sauron breaks into Eregion and lays it waste. Celebrimbor is slain personally by Sauron, but Sauron does not get the Three Rings. His wrath now blazes. Elrond with all (the few) refugees from Eregion he can gather fight a vanguard action and draw away N.W. He founds a stronghold in Imladris.}}
 
And:
 
{{blockquote|When Celeborn heard of onset of Sauron (fearing to keep the Three Rings himself) he sent one to Galadriel in Lórinand by Amroth. Celeborn makes a sortie and breaks out and joins Elrond but cannot get back.}}
 
==== ''The Elessar'' ====
In a text titled ''[[The Elessar]]'', written at around the same time as that of ''Concerning Galadriel & Celeborn'',<ref name=Ele>{{UT|Elessar}}, p. 251</ref> Tolkien gives two in-universe accounts of the creation of the [[Elfstone|Elessar]], a gem-stone of which it was said that:<ref name=Sar>{{UT|Elessar}}, p. 249</ref>
 
{{blockquote|...those who looked through this stone saw things that were withered or burned healed again or as they were in the grace of their youth, and that the hands of one who held it brought to all that they touched healing from hurt.}}
 
According to one of these accounts, the original Elessar was made by [[Enerdhil]], a renowned smith of [[Gondolin]], who gave it to [[Idril]] the daughter of King [[Turgon]], who in turn gave it to [[Eärendil]] her son - and so the original Elessar past into the West with him on his voyage to [[Aman]].<ref name=Sar/>
 
Many years later,<ref group=note>Before Sauron "deluded the smiths of Eregion".</ref> Galadriel confided in Celebrimbor that she lamented the inevitable decay and diminishment of the lands of Middle-earth, and wished that there was some way to counteract it - because even though she was able to go West to [[Tol Eressëa]], she was still too proud to do so.<ref>{{UT|Elessar}}, p. 250</ref>
 
{{blockquote|'I would have trees and grass about me that do not die - here in the land that is mine', she answered. 'What has become of the skill of the Eldar?' And Celebrimbor said: 'Where now is the [[Elfstone|Stone of Eärendil]]? And Enerdhil who made it is gone.' 'They have passed over Sea,' said Galadriel, 'with almost all fair things else. But must then Middle-earth fade and perish for ever?'}}
 
Therefore Celebrimbor, who loved Galadriel (though she "turned to Celeborn of the Trees") began to work on making the second Elessar. Because unbeknownst to Galadriel, Celebrimbor used to be an Elf of Gondolin, and was a friend of Enerdhil, even though Enerdhil "in most things outrivalled him".<ref>{{UT|Elessar}}, pp. 250-1</ref>
 
However, even though Celebrimbor managed to make this stone even more "subtle and clear" than that of Enerdhil, due to the ever present influence of Morgoth on [[Arda]] even after his defeat in the First Age, the gem's light had less power than the original - because that one captured the light of the [[Sun]] in its youth.<ref name=Ele>{{UT|Elessar}}, p. 251</ref>
 
Nonetheless, the Elessar of Celebrimbor was deemed the greatest of his works, save the [[Three Rings]] only, and:<ref name=Ele/>
 
{{blockquote|Wielding the Elessar all things grew fair about Galadriel, until the coming of the Shadow to the Forest. But afterwards when Nenya, chief of the Three, was sent to her by Celebrimbor, she needed it (as she thought) no more, and she gave it to Celebrían her daughter, and so it came to Arwen and to Aragorn who was called Elessar.}}
 
In the concluding words of the text, however, Tolkien rejected the notion that the first Elessar was made by Enerdhil. Instead, ''both'' Elessars were to be creations of Celebrimbor.
 
According to the final paragraph of ''The Elessar'' text, the original Elessar of Celebrimbor (which Idril received) went into the West with Eärendil, and the second one (which Galadriel received) was made by him sometime before Sauron's appearance in Eregion.<ref name=Ele/>
 
=== ''Eldarin Hands, Fingers, and Numerals'' ===
According to a late text called ''[[Eldarin Hands, Fingers, and Numerals]]'', from c. [[1968]], Tolkien changed Celebrimbor's origins from that of a grandson of Fëanor to that of a Teler of Aman (Falmar).<ref name=Eld/><ref name=Vta>{{VT|47a}}, entry '''4. Q. quár''', p. 8</ref><ref name=Nom>{{NM|P2iii}}, p. 178</ref>
 
In that version of his history, Celebrimbor, the "heroic defender of Eregion in the Second-age war against Sauron", was depicted as a great silver-smith who accompanied Celeborn in his exile to Middle-earth from Aman, along with two other Telerin elves.
 
During the Second Age, he moved to Eregion due to the rumours of a "marvellous metal" found in Moria, which he named ''[[mithril]]''.<ref name=Eld/><ref name=Vta/><ref name=Nom/> It is said in the text that:
 
{{blockquote|In the working of this he became a rival of the Dwarves, or rather an equal, for there was great friendship between the Dwarves of Moria and Celebrimbor, and they shared their skills and craft-secrets.}}
 
However, according to his son [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher]], Tolkien most probably forgot the fact that he included Celebrimbor's origins as a descendant of Fëanor in the second edition of ''The Lord of the Rings'' ([[1966]]), and that, had he remembered it, he would not have changed it.<ref name=Eld>{{PM|XNotes}}, note 7, pp. 318-9</ref>


== Etymology ==
==== Etymology ====
The name ''Celebrimbor'' is the [[Sindarin]] translation of his father-name [[Telperinquar]], from ''[[celeb]]'' "[[silver]]" (or ''[[celebren]]'', "silver-like") and ''[[paur]]'' "fist", as in a hand holding a craft-tool or implement. His [[mother-name]] is unknown.
According to this version of his history, the name ''Celebrimbor'' is likewise in Sindarin. However, in this text, ''Celebrimbor'' is a [[Sindarization|Sindarized]] version of his original [[Telerin]] name '''''Telperimpar''''' (with '''''Tyelpinquar''''' being its Quenya cognate).
 
The name was derived from the root [[KWAR]] ("press together, squeeze, wring"), whose derivatives were: ''[[quár]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]]), ''[[pār]]'' ([[Telerin|T]]) and ''[[paur]]'' ([[Sindarin|S]]).
 
The text also says that it was a common name among the Teleri of Aman, who were renowned silver-smiths.<ref name=Vta/><ref name=Eld/><ref name=Nom/>


== Early Life ==
=== ''Of Dwarves and Men'' ===
Celebrimbor followed his grandfather into [[Oath of Fëanor|exile]], though little is said of his deeds during the [[First Age]]. His unnamed mother remained in Valinor. He probably fled to [[Nargothrond]] after the [[Dagor Bragollach]]. However, he took no part in the deeds of Curufin and [[Celegorm]] regarding [[Lúthien]], [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]], and [[Finrod Felagund|Finrod]]. He even repudiated his father's deeds and did not follow him when the two brothers were cast out from Nargothrond by [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]]. After the destruction of Nargothrond, Celebrimbor lived for a time in [[Gondolin]], where he was great jewelsmith for King [[Turgon]]. He may have created the [[Elessar of Eärendil]], though other accounts name [[Enerdhil]] as the Master Jewelsmith and creator of the [[Elfstone]], who perhaps taught Celebrimbor this art.
In a late text that Christopher Tolkien called ''[[Of Dwarves and Men]]'' (from c. [[1969]]),<ref>{{PM|XIntro}}, p. 295</ref> Tolkien changed Celebrimbor's origins yet again.<ref name=Eld/>


During the Second Age, he was lord of the elves of [[Ost-in-Edhil]] in [[Eregion]]. He was also the head of the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]], a guild of elven craftsmen. They skill was so reknowned that they gained the admiration and friendship of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Khazad-dûm]]. Together with the dwarf [[Narvi]], Celebrimbor crafted the [[Doors of Durin]] that guarded the West-gate of the Dwarven kingdom.
Here, Celebrimbor is depicted as a [[Sinda]] who claimed descent from [[Daeron]],<ref name=Dwa>{{PM|X}}, p. 297</ref> a famous [[Minstrels|minstrel]] and the chief loremaster of Doriath.<ref>{{S|10}}, p. 43</ref> In that text, it is explained how in Eregion, due to the influence of Celebrimbor, the ancient [[Angerthas|runic alphabet]] devised by Daeron was, along with [[Tengwar]], also known and used.


== The Rings of Power ==
And even though in Eregion these Runes were used mostly on formal occasions, due to the contact between the Elves of Eregion and the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, and because of the greater ease with which the Runes could be carved on stone, the Longbeard Dwarves adopted and modified them for their own use.<ref name=Dwa/>
Around Second Age 1200 a mysterious craftsman arrived at Ost-in-Edhil offering his knowledge to the Gwaith-i-Mírdain. This was [[Sauron]], in the guise of [[Annatar]] the "Lord of Gifts", who had come to subvert and destroy the elves.  


Under the guidance and instruction of Annatar, Celebrimbor and the Gwaith-i-Mírdain made sixteen rings: seven for the Dwarves, and nine for [[Nazgûl|Men]]. But secretly, without Annatar's knowledge, Celebrimbor created the three [[Three Rings|Rings of the Elves]], the greatest and fairest of the Rings of Power. These rings were thus free of Sauron's corrupting influence. Celebrimbor named the rings [[Vilya]], [[Narya]], and [[Nenya]] after the principal Middle-earth elements of air, fire, and water, respectively.
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Celebrimbor in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:Shadow of Mordor - Celebrimbor.jpg|Celebrimbor in ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
|File:The Rings of Power (TV series) - Lord Celebrimbor.jpg|Lord Celebrimbor in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Celebrimbor.jpg|Celebrimbor in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
=== Television ===
'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:Lord Celebrimbor is portrayed by [[Charles Edwards]] as one of the central characters of the series.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Alice Jones]]|articleurl=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/02/amazon-the-rings-of-power-series-first-look|articlename=Amazon’s Lord of the Rings Series Rises: Inside The Rings of Power
|dated=10-February-2022|website=[https://www.vanityfair.com VanityFair]|accessed=12-February-2022}}</ref> He first appears in the series' [[A Shadow of the Past|first episode]] at [[Lindon]] and is introduced to [[Elrond]] by [[Gil-galad]]. In the series, he seems to already be a master artisan.


At this time, Sauron was secretly forging the [[One Ring]] in [[Orodruin]], which would enable him to rule Middle-earth by claiming dominance over all the Rings of Power and their bearers. Celebrimbor and the elves defied Sauron by withholding the other rings from him. Sauron retaliated by attacking Eregion, laying waste to the realm. Celebrimbor was captured in the sack, and was forced under torture to disclose where the Nine and the Seven were held, but he would not reveal the whereabouts of the three Elvish rings. He had already sent the three rings away for safekeeping: Vilya and Narya to [[Gil-galad]] in [[Lindon]], and Nenya to [[Galadriel]] in [[Lothlórien]]. Sauron captured the lesser rings and used them as instruments of evil in later years, particularly against Men. Celebrimbor died from his torment, the last direct descendant of the line of Fëanor.
=== Games ===
'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Celebrimbor plays a major role in the video game, serving as a [[wraith]] who is bound to an [[Undead|undead]] [[Gondorians|Gondorian]] [[Rangers of Ithilien|Ranger]], [[Talion]], by the will of [[Sauron]]. He is voiced by [[Alister Duncan]]. He is also the main protagonist of the ''Bright Lord'' expansion, where he is revealed to have stolen the One Ring from Sauron at some point in the Second Age, and intended to use it to turn the Dark Lord's own weapons against him. However, he is corrupted by the power of the Ring and doomed to never see the Undying Lands. Though he defeats Sauron in battle, Sauron still managed to reclaim the Ring and banish Celebrimbor's spirit to an eternity as a wraith in the Unseen world. Bound to Talion, Celebrimbor grants him Elven powers to help him seek revenge for the death of his wife and son.


'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Celebrimbor uses [[Talion]] to create a new ring of power so they can dominate the orc forces of [[Sauron]]'s army to create one in their own service. With their army amassed they travel Sauron's Road to destroy the Dark Lord. On their way, Talion comes up against the [[Nazgûl]] [[Isildur]] and decides to free Isildur from life as a servant to Sauron. Celebrimbor, angry that Talion vanquished Isildur rather than adding his power to their army, reveals that he intends to replace Sauron instead of destroying him. Talion refuses to help him in his quest for power, so Celebrimbor removes the new ring from him. With their bond lost, Talion begins to bleed profusely and die. Celebrimbor convinces Eltariel, an Elven assassin of [[Galadriel]], to wield the new ring and continue on to defeat Sauron. During their battle, Sauron is able to overpower them and cut Eltariel's fingers off along with the new ring. Sauron then absorbs Celebrimbor and together they become the flaming Eye of Sauron atop [[Barad-dûr]].


== Reknowned Works ==
'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Celebrimbor appears in several flashback sequences, depicting his encounter with the "Lord of Gifts", the initial idea of creating the Rings of Power and his final doomed stand during the [[Sack of Eregion]]. His body was wrestled from Sauron's servant by a brave elf who cast herself into the waters along with it to deny the Enemy his prize.


* The [[Elessar of Eärendil]]
{{references|notes}}
* [[Doors of Durin]] (with [[Narvi]])
* The [[Rings of Power]]
** The [[Nine Rings]] of Men (with [[Annatar]])
** The [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves (with [[Annatar]])
** The [[Three Rings]] of the Elves


== Genealogy ==
{{seq-start}}
<code>
{{seq-head
              [[Fëanor]] = [[Nerdanel]]
| name=Celebrimbor
                      |
| race=noldor
    _________________|________________________________________________
| house=[[House of Fëanor]]
    |         |         |           |           |          |        |
| born=Before {{YT|1495}}
    |         |         |           |           |         |        |
| died={{SA|1697}}
[[Maedhros]]    [[Maglor]]  [[Celegorm]]    [[Caranthir]]    [[Curufin]]    [[Amrod]]    [[Amras]]
}}
                                                  |
{{seq
                                                  |
| pvac=None
                                            '''CELEBRIMBOR'''
| prev=Title established
</code>
| list=Lord of [[Eregion]]
| dates={{SA|750}} - {{SA|1697|n}}
| next=[[Sack of Eregion|Realm destroyed]]
| nvac=None}}
{{seq-end}}


[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Calaquendi]]
[[Category:High Elves]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Fëanor]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:House of Finwë]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Smiths]]
[[de:Celebrimbor]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:noldor:celebrimbor]]
[[fi:Celebrimbor]]

Latest revision as of 15:54, 26 November 2023

Celebrimbor
Noldo
Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif
"Celebrimbor" by Angus McBride
Biographical Information
PronunciationS, [ˌkɛlɛˈbrɪmbɔr]
Other namesTelperinquar/Telpinquar (Q)
TitlesLord of Eregion
LocationEldamar
Nargothrond
Eregion
AffiliationGwaith-i-Mírdain
LanguageQuenya & Sindarin
BirthBefore Y.T. 1495[1]
Aman
RuleS.A. 750 - 1697 (for 947 years)
DeathS.A. 1697 (aged 2,334+)
Sack of Eregion, Ost-in-Edhil
Notable forCreating the Three Rings
Inscribing the Doors of Durin
Family
HouseHouse of Fëanor
ParentageCurufin
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Celebrimbor
"In Eregion the craftsmen of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, the People of the Jewel-smiths, surpassed in cunning all that have ever wrought, save only Fëanor himself; and indeed greatest in skill among them was Celebrimbor, son of Curufin..."
The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"

Celebrimbor forged the Three Rings, mighty artifacts whose existence shaped the history of the Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth. As a craftsman, he was second only to Fëanor,[2] his grandfather[1].

History[edit | edit source]

First Age[edit | edit source]

Celebrimbor by Jenny Dolfen

Celebrimbor was born in Aman during the Years of the Trees. Among Fëanor's seven sons, Celebrimbor's father Curufin was the chief inheritor of Fëanor's temperament and skills in craftsmanship.[3] In turn, Curufin passed these skills – but not this temper – on to Celebrimbor.[1]

Following the Darkening of Valinor, Celebrimbor followed Fëanor into exile in Middle-earth.[4] His unnamed mother remained behind with the people of Finarfin.[1] Celebrimbor did not swear the Oath of Fëanor. It is unknown whether he took part in the Kinslaying at Alqualondë. It is also unknown whether he crossed the Belegaer in one of the stolen Falmari ships or if he followed Fingolfin across the Helcaraxë.

Celebrimbor's whereabouts in Beleriand in the early Years of the Sun are unattested, but later events suggest that he dwelt with his father Curufin and uncle Celegorm in their realm of Himlad.[5] The realm lasted until the Dagor Bragollach in F.A. 455, in which Morgoth broke the Siege of Angband. After this defeat, Curufin and Celegorm fled to the southwest with many of their people, including Celebrimbor,[1] and took refuge with Finrod Felagund in his realm of Nargothrond.[6]

Though they were but refugees and guests in Nargothrond, Curufin and Celegorm sought power, and they quickly gained great influence among the people. For his part, Celebrimbor was not involved in his father's schemes and came to love Finrod.[1]

In F.A. 465[7], the brothers' political machinations forced Finrod to surrender his crown to Orodreth and leave his realm. Their dominance would prove short-lived. Later that same year, captives freed from the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth returned to Nargothrond and spoke against the brothers, revealing their treachery and turning the people against them. Orodreth would not suffer them to be slain and so exiled them from the realm.[8]

When Celebrimbor learned the truth of his father and uncle's actions, he was "aghast" and parted ways with them. He was not subject to their exile and did not voluntarily follow them.[1] His whereabouts for the remainder of the First Age are unknown.

Second Age[edit | edit source]

"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
This article or section needs expansion and/or modification. Please help the wiki by expanding it.

Establishment of Eregion and the forging of the Rings of Power[edit | edit source]

The whereabouts of Celebrimbor during the early years of the Second Age are uncertain, but at some point, he became a great friend to Galadriel and Celeborn,[1] and in S.A. 750,[9] Celebrimbor with many others of the exiled Noldor followed them to establish the realm of Eregion near to Khazad-dûm, the mansions of the Longbeard Dwarves. This they did due to the discovery of mithril in the surrounding mountains.[10]

Eventually, a great friendship arose between the Elves of Eregion and the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, such that was never before seen, and Celebrimbor became the Lord of Eregion[10] and the greatest of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, "People of the Jewel-smiths", who in their skill were second only to Fëanor, Celebrimbor's grandfather. There, Celebrimbor befriended Narvi the Dwarf,[11] who built the Doors of Durin, and Celebrimbor inscribed the words upon it.[12]

However, in S.A. 1200, Sauron, under the fair guise of Annatar, came to Eriador posing as an emissary of the Valar. He was rejected by Gil-galad, the High King of the Noldor, in Lindon (where he was not even admitted to), but although Galadriel did not trust him and treated him with scorn, he was nonetheless accepted by the smiths of Eregion, for Celebrimbor desired in his heart to rival the skill and fame of Fëanor.

In c. S.A. 1500, the Gwaith-i-Mírdain reached the height of their skill under the instruction of Sauron and began forging the Rings of Power.

The War of the Elves and Sauron and death[edit | edit source]

Celebrimbor was ignorant of Sauron's true intentions, and he was unaware that Sauron had incorporated a binding magic into the rings. Furthermore, in secret, Sauron forged the One Ring, a master ring that would rule all the lesser rings, to enable him to rule Middle-earth by controlling those that wore all the other rings. When Sauron placed the One Ring on his finger, claiming dominance over all the Rings of Power and their bearers, the Elves knew his true identity and intentions. Celebrimbor and the Elves of Eregion defied Sauron by withholding the other rings from him. Aside from the One Ring, the greatest rings were created by Celebrimbor himself, and these were never touched by Sauron and thus were uncorrupted by him, although they were still subject to the One Ring. These were the Three Rings of the Elves, and a chief source of the beauty that came about in the Third Age. Celebrimbor named them Vilya, Narya, and Nenya after the Middle-earth elements of air, fire and water. He sent the three rings to Elf-lords for safekeeping: Vilya and Narya to Gil-galad in Lindon; and Nenya to Galadriel. Celebrimbor also sent the mightiest of the seven to Durin III of Khazad-dûm.[13]

Sauron retaliated by attacking Eregion, laying waste to the realm. Celebrimbor was captured in the chaos and was forced, under torture, to disclose the locations of the lesser rings, but he would not reveal the whereabouts of the Three. Celebrimbor died from his torment, and his body was shot with arrows and hung upon a pole, and was later paraded as a banner when Sauron attacked the Grey Havens.[14]

Renowned works[edit | edit source]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Celebrimbor is in Sindarin, meaning "Silver-fist"; it is comprised of the elements celebrin ("like silver in hue or worth") + paur ("fist, closed hand"),[15] with the ending -bor in Celebrimbor being a suffixal form of paur.[16]

Its Quenya cognate is Telperinquar or Telpinquar.[15]

For another, later etymology that contradicts the origins of the character of Celebrimbor as seen in The Lord of the Rings, see below.

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

Mahtan
b. Y.T.
 
Míriel
d. Y.T. 1170
 
Finwë
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nerdanel
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
Fëanor
Y.T. 1169 - 1497
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
Fingolfin
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Írimë
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maedhros
d. F.A. 587
 
Maglor
b. Y.T.
 
Celegorm
d. F.A. 506
 
Caranthir
d. F.A. 506
 
Curufin
d. F.A. 506
 
Amrod
d. F.A. 538
 
Amras
d. F.A. 538
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CELEBRIMBOR
d. S.A. 1697
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

The History of The Lord of the Rings[edit | edit source]

The character of Celebrimbor first appears in a draft chapter of The Lord of the Rings called The Mines of Moria (from 1939[17]),[18] which would later become the chapter A Journey in the Dark in The Fellowship of the Ring as published.[note 1][19]

There, as in The Lord of the Rings, he is only mentioned by name when Gandalf was reading the inscription on the Doors of Durin:[18]

"They merely say: The Doors of Durin Lord of Moria. Speak friends and enter. And underneath very small and now faint is: Narfi made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."

The name Celebrimbor was also added to The Etymologies, a linguistic work from the late 1930s, at around the same time. There, the name is given under the root KWAR ("clutching hand, fist"), and Celebrimbor's name was explained as meaning "Silver-fist" in Noldorin (which was a precursor language to Sindarin).[20]

However, even though no origin of Celebrimbor was published until the second edition of The Lord of the Rings in 1966, Tolkien did in fact write one in the 1950s, which can be found in the next section of the article.

Concerning Galadriel & Celeborn and The Elessar[edit | edit source]

The first known origin story of Celebrimbor was written by Tolkien in c. 1959, occurring in a text called Concerning Galadriel & Celeborn. There, Celebrimbor was described as an Elf of Gondolin (and one of Turgon's "greatest artificers"), who, after the end of the First Age and the overthrow of Morgoth, became a follower of Celeborn and Galadriel,[21] who were regarded as the "High Lord and Lady of all the Eldar of the West".[22]

After the establishment of Eregion,[note 2] Celebrimbor became the "chief craftsman of Eregion" with an "almost 'dwarvish' obsession with crafts", and befriended the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, of whom a dwarven craftsman called Narvi was his greatest friend[21] - from that friendship both Eregion and Khazad-dûm profited greatly.

In c. S.A. 1000, Sauron established himself in Mordor, and sent emissaries to Eriador, before finally appearing there himself, in his fairest form, in S.A. 1200. However, he was rejected by Gil-galad in Lindon, and after heading to Eregion, was likewise rejected by Galadriel and Celeborn, the original rulers of Eregion in this conception of the legendarium.[23]

But even though Celeborn and Galadriel (who he perceived to be his chief obstacle) rejected him, Sauron, posing as an emissary of the Valar, nonetheless managed to convince Celebrimbor and the rest of the Noldorin smiths of Eregion, who by this time have formed a powerful guild called the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, to accept his help in the forging of the Rings of Power;[24] here Tolkien states that the story of Fëanor was repeated.

Therefore, Celebrimbor and his followers (under the influence of Sauron) rebelled against Galadriel and Celeborn,[note 3] and, sometime between S.A. 1350 and 1400, Galadriel withdrew from Eregion and went to Lórinand (which would later be known as Lórien), via Khazad-dûm, and took up rule there. However, Celeborn, owing to his distrust of the Dwarves, remained in Eregion "disregarded by Celebrimbor".

In c. S.A. 1500, Sauron left Eregion, some time after the Mírdain started crafting the Rings of Power.

When in c. S.A. 1600 Sauron forged the One Ring, Celebrimbor finally discovered his true intentions, and he repented. Therefore he went to Lórinand to seek Galadriel's advice;[note 4] she advised him to hide the Three Rings (which were the three Great Rings made solely by Celebrimbor) and send them away far from Eregion, never to be used, after which Celebrimbor gave one of them (Nenya) to her keeping. Following that, he entrusted the other two rings (Vilya and Narya) to Gil-galad in Lindon.[note 5]

After Sauron learned of Celebrimbor's repentance, he invaded Eriador and besieged Eregion. And even though help was on the way, from Celeborn with his son Amroth and the Nandor of Lórinand, along with the Dwarves of Moria, and from an army sent by Gil-galad under the command of Elrond from the west, it did not arrive in time. Therefore:

Sauron breaks into Eregion and lays it waste. Celebrimbor is slain personally by Sauron, but Sauron does not get the Three Rings. His wrath now blazes. Elrond with all (the few) refugees from Eregion he can gather fight a vanguard action and draw away N.W. He founds a stronghold in Imladris.

And:

When Celeborn heard of onset of Sauron (fearing to keep the Three Rings himself) he sent one to Galadriel in Lórinand by Amroth. Celeborn makes a sortie and breaks out and joins Elrond but cannot get back.

The Elessar[edit | edit source]

In a text titled The Elessar, written at around the same time as that of Concerning Galadriel & Celeborn,[25] Tolkien gives two in-universe accounts of the creation of the Elessar, a gem-stone of which it was said that:[26]

...those who looked through this stone saw things that were withered or burned healed again or as they were in the grace of their youth, and that the hands of one who held it brought to all that they touched healing from hurt.

According to one of these accounts, the original Elessar was made by Enerdhil, a renowned smith of Gondolin, who gave it to Idril the daughter of King Turgon, who in turn gave it to Eärendil her son - and so the original Elessar past into the West with him on his voyage to Aman.[26]

Many years later,[note 6] Galadriel confided in Celebrimbor that she lamented the inevitable decay and diminishment of the lands of Middle-earth, and wished that there was some way to counteract it - because even though she was able to go West to Tol Eressëa, she was still too proud to do so.[27]

'I would have trees and grass about me that do not die - here in the land that is mine', she answered. 'What has become of the skill of the Eldar?' And Celebrimbor said: 'Where now is the Stone of Eärendil? And Enerdhil who made it is gone.' 'They have passed over Sea,' said Galadriel, 'with almost all fair things else. But must then Middle-earth fade and perish for ever?'

Therefore Celebrimbor, who loved Galadriel (though she "turned to Celeborn of the Trees") began to work on making the second Elessar. Because unbeknownst to Galadriel, Celebrimbor used to be an Elf of Gondolin, and was a friend of Enerdhil, even though Enerdhil "in most things outrivalled him".[28]

However, even though Celebrimbor managed to make this stone even more "subtle and clear" than that of Enerdhil, due to the ever present influence of Morgoth on Arda even after his defeat in the First Age, the gem's light had less power than the original - because that one captured the light of the Sun in its youth.[25]

Nonetheless, the Elessar of Celebrimbor was deemed the greatest of his works, save the Three Rings only, and:[25]

Wielding the Elessar all things grew fair about Galadriel, until the coming of the Shadow to the Forest. But afterwards when Nenya, chief of the Three, was sent to her by Celebrimbor, she needed it (as she thought) no more, and she gave it to Celebrían her daughter, and so it came to Arwen and to Aragorn who was called Elessar.

In the concluding words of the text, however, Tolkien rejected the notion that the first Elessar was made by Enerdhil. Instead, both Elessars were to be creations of Celebrimbor.

According to the final paragraph of The Elessar text, the original Elessar of Celebrimbor (which Idril received) went into the West with Eärendil, and the second one (which Galadriel received) was made by him sometime before Sauron's appearance in Eregion.[25]

Eldarin Hands, Fingers, and Numerals[edit | edit source]

According to a late text called Eldarin Hands, Fingers, and Numerals, from c. 1968, Tolkien changed Celebrimbor's origins from that of a grandson of Fëanor to that of a Teler of Aman (Falmar).[29][30][31]

In that version of his history, Celebrimbor, the "heroic defender of Eregion in the Second-age war against Sauron", was depicted as a great silver-smith who accompanied Celeborn in his exile to Middle-earth from Aman, along with two other Telerin elves.

During the Second Age, he moved to Eregion due to the rumours of a "marvellous metal" found in Moria, which he named mithril.[29][30][31] It is said in the text that:

In the working of this he became a rival of the Dwarves, or rather an equal, for there was great friendship between the Dwarves of Moria and Celebrimbor, and they shared their skills and craft-secrets.

However, according to his son Christopher, Tolkien most probably forgot the fact that he included Celebrimbor's origins as a descendant of Fëanor in the second edition of The Lord of the Rings (1966), and that, had he remembered it, he would not have changed it.[29]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

According to this version of his history, the name Celebrimbor is likewise in Sindarin. However, in this text, Celebrimbor is a Sindarized version of his original Telerin name Telperimpar (with Tyelpinquar being its Quenya cognate).

The name was derived from the root KWAR ("press together, squeeze, wring"), whose derivatives were: quár (Q), pār (T) and paur (S).

The text also says that it was a common name among the Teleri of Aman, who were renowned silver-smiths.[30][29][31]

Of Dwarves and Men[edit | edit source]

In a late text that Christopher Tolkien called Of Dwarves and Men (from c. 1969),[32] Tolkien changed Celebrimbor's origins yet again.[29]

Here, Celebrimbor is depicted as a Sinda who claimed descent from Daeron,[33] a famous minstrel and the chief loremaster of Doriath.[34] In that text, it is explained how in Eregion, due to the influence of Celebrimbor, the ancient runic alphabet devised by Daeron was, along with Tengwar, also known and used.

And even though in Eregion these Runes were used mostly on formal occasions, due to the contact between the Elves of Eregion and the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, and because of the greater ease with which the Runes could be carved on stone, the Longbeard Dwarves adopted and modified them for their own use.[33]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Celebrimbor in adaptations

Television[edit | edit source]

2022: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power:

Lord Celebrimbor is portrayed by Charles Edwards as one of the central characters of the series.[35] He first appears in the series' first episode at Lindon and is introduced to Elrond by Gil-galad. In the series, he seems to already be a master artisan.

Games[edit | edit source]

2014: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor:

Celebrimbor plays a major role in the video game, serving as a wraith who is bound to an undead Gondorian Ranger, Talion, by the will of Sauron. He is voiced by Alister Duncan. He is also the main protagonist of the Bright Lord expansion, where he is revealed to have stolen the One Ring from Sauron at some point in the Second Age, and intended to use it to turn the Dark Lord's own weapons against him. However, he is corrupted by the power of the Ring and doomed to never see the Undying Lands. Though he defeats Sauron in battle, Sauron still managed to reclaim the Ring and banish Celebrimbor's spirit to an eternity as a wraith in the Unseen world. Bound to Talion, Celebrimbor grants him Elven powers to help him seek revenge for the death of his wife and son.

2017: Middle-earth: Shadow of War:

Celebrimbor uses Talion to create a new ring of power so they can dominate the orc forces of Sauron's army to create one in their own service. With their army amassed they travel Sauron's Road to destroy the Dark Lord. On their way, Talion comes up against the Nazgûl Isildur and decides to free Isildur from life as a servant to Sauron. Celebrimbor, angry that Talion vanquished Isildur rather than adding his power to their army, reveals that he intends to replace Sauron instead of destroying him. Talion refuses to help him in his quest for power, so Celebrimbor removes the new ring from him. With their bond lost, Talion begins to bleed profusely and die. Celebrimbor convinces Eltariel, an Elven assassin of Galadriel, to wield the new ring and continue on to defeat Sauron. During their battle, Sauron is able to overpower them and cut Eltariel's fingers off along with the new ring. Sauron then absorbs Celebrimbor and together they become the flaming Eye of Sauron atop Barad-dûr.

2022: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Celebrimbor appears in several flashback sequences, depicting his encounter with the "Lord of Gifts", the initial idea of creating the Rings of Power and his final doomed stand during the Sack of Eregion. His body was wrestled from Sauron's servant by a brave elf who cast herself into the waters along with it to deny the Enemy his prize.

Notes

  1. Before they were envisioned as being made by Celebrimbor in The Lord of the Rings, the Rings of Power were imagined as creations of Fëanor himself.
  2. This text states that the building of Ost-in-Edhil, the capital of Eregion, was begun in S.A. 750.
  3. In this text, it is said that Celebrimbor was "secretly anxious to rival the skill and fame of Fëanor".
  4. Tolkien wrote here that they "should have destroyed all the Rings of Power at this time, 'but they failed to find the strength'".
  5. According to this text, at this time, Gil-galad gave Narya to Círdan; however, according to a later note, it is said that Gil-galad kept both rings until the War of the Last Alliance.
  6. Before Sauron "deluded the smiths of Eregion".

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "Notes", Note 7, pp. 317-9
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of the Sons of Fëanor", p. 352
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor", p. 37
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beleriand and its Realms", p. 58
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §192, p. 65
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age", entry for the year 750, p. 1083
  10. 10.0 10.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age", p. 1082
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark", p. 306
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk", p. 1076
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
  15. 15.0 15.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings: Eldarin Roots and Stems", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), entry S Celebrimbor, p. 42
  16. Paul Strack, "S. Celebrimbor m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 11 August 2022)
  17. Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: I. Chronology, entry August-autumn 1939, p. 229
  18. 18.0 18.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The Story Continued: XXV. The Mines of Moria", p. 449
  19. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "XIII. Galadriel", p. 255
  20. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entry KWAR-, p. 366
  21. 21.0 21.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn", p. 235
  22. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XVI. Galadriel and Celeborn", p. 347
  23. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn", p. 236
  24. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn", pp. 236-7
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "The Elessar", p. 251
  26. 26.0 26.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "The Elessar", p. 249
  27. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "The Elessar", p. 250
  28. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "The Elessar", pp. 250-1
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "Notes", note 7, pp. 318-9
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part One" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 47, February 2005, entry 4. Q. quár, p. 8
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: III. Eldarin Hands, Fingers, and Numerals", p. 178
  32. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", [Untitled introduction], p. 295
  33. 33.0 33.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "Of Dwarves and Men", p. 297
  34. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar", p. 43
  35. Alice Jones, "Amazon’s Lord of the Rings Series Rises: Inside The Rings of Power" dated 10 February 2022, VanityFair (accessed 12 February 2022)
Celebrimbor
House of Fëanor
Born: Before Y.T. 1495 Died: S.A. 1697
None
Title established
Lord of Eregion
S.A. 750 - 1697
None
Realm destroyed