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''This article is under construction''
{{sources}}
 
{{race
{{race
| image=[[Image:WAR-ICONS elves.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Ted_Nasmith - At Lake Cuiviénen.jpg|250px]]
| name= Elves
| name=Elves
| dominions= [[Doriath]], [[Hithlum]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Gondolin]], [[Lindon]], [[Eregion]], [[Lothlórien]]
| nicknames=Elder folk; People of the stars; fair folk
| languages= [[Quenya]], [[Sindarin]], [[Telerin]], etc.
| dominions= [[Cuiviénen]], [[Tirion]], [[Taniquetil]], [[Formenos]], [[Alqualondë]], [[Tol Eressëa]], [[Doriath]], [[Falas]], [[Hithlum]], [[Ossiriand]], [[Vinyamar]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Gondolin]], [[Edhellond]], [[Mouths of Sirion]], [[Isle of Balar]], [[Lindon]], [[Eldalondë]], [[Eregion]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Rivendell]], [[Mirkwood]] and [[Ithilien]]
| height=
| languages=Various [[Elvish]] languages, most notably [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]
| height=Tall
| length=
| length=
| skincolor= White
| skincolor=Pale to tan
| haircolor= Blond, black, brown, silver, red
| haircolor=Blond, black, brown, red, and occasionally silver
| distinctions= Nearly immortal, inventors of writing and other arts
| distinctions=Nearly immortal, inventors of writing and other arts
| lifespans= [[Arda]]'s existence
| lifespan=[[Arda]]'s existence
| members= [[Ingwë]], [[Thingol]], [[Finwë]], [[Fëanor]], [[Galadriel]]
| members=[[Ingwë]], [[Thingol]], [[Finwë]], [[Fëanor]], [[Fingolfin]], [[Gil-galad]], [[Galadriel]], [[Finrod]], [[Sons of Fëanor]], [[Lúthien]], [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], [[Idril]], [[Maeglin]], [[Círdan]], [[Celeborn]], [[Celebrimbor]]
|}}
}}
{{Quote|[The Elves] were a race high and beautiful, the older [[Children of the World]], and among them the [[Eldar]] were as kings.... They were tall, fair of skin and grey-eyed, though their locks were dark... and their voices had more melodies than any mortal voice that now is heard.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], from ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'': [[Appendix F]]}}
The '''Elves''' (''[[Eldar]]'') were the first of the races of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], known also as the [[Firstborn]] for that reason. The Elves are distinguished from the other two races, the [[Men]] and the [[Dwarves]], especially by the fact of their near immortality.
The '''Elves''' (singular '''Elf''') were one of the kindreds of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], and bore the title the [[Firstborn]] because they came into being before all the other incarnate races. Soon after their awakening, the Elves named themselves '''''Quendi''''' ("the Speakers"), because they were the only beings they knew of who had the ablility to use language. The Elves were divided into several primary groups, including the [[Vanyar]], the [[Noldor]], the [[Teleri]], the [[Sindar]], and the [[Avari]].  


==History==
==History==
===Awakening===
===Awakening===
:''Main article: [[Awakening of the Elves]]''
{{main|Awakening of the Elves}}
The Elves awoke in the northeast of [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Years of the Trees]] in the [[First Age]] on the shores of Lake [[Cuiviénen]] under the starlit sky, as Middle-earth lay in darkness at that time. Some time after their awakening, they were discovered by the [[Vala]] [[Oromë]], who then returned to [[Valinor]] and brought the other Valar tidings of their arrival. Before Oromë found them, however, [[Melkor]], the first [[Dark Lord]] of Middle-earth, had already captured some wandering Elves, and twisted them into [[Orcs]]. But the Valar were emboldened by the news of Oromë, and they made war upon Melkor, captured him, and imprisoned him in the [[Halls of Mandos]] in Valinor in order to protect the Elves.
 
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves'']] About the same time that [[Varda]], Queen of the [[Valier]], ended her labors in creating the [[Stars]], the Elves awoke beside the lake [[Cuiviénen]].  The first things they saw were the stars, and henceforth they adored them.  The first sound they heard was the flowing of water, and henceforth they loved water as well.
 
They made speech then, and called themselves the ''[[Quendi]]''.  [[Morgoth|Melkor]] was the first to be aware of them, and he caused evil spirits to go about among them.  When one or a small group wandered abroad, they would often vanish.  It is believed that Melkor may have created [[Orcs]] with the elves he captured.
 
[[Oromë]], the Huntsman of the [[Valar]], happened upon them when he heard their singing far-off.  He was amazed to see them, and called them the ''Eldar'', "People of the Stars".


===Sundering===
===Sundering===
: ''Main article: [[Sundering of the Elves]]''
{{main|Sundering of the Elves}}
The Valar decided to summon the Elves to Valinor rather than leave them in the more dangerous lands of Middle-earth. They sent Oromë to the Elves again, and he took [[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]] and [[Elwë]] as ambassadors to Valinor.


After returning to Middle-earth and telling the Elves of the beauty of the [[Blessed Realm]], Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë convinced a great host to make the journey to Valinor. Not all Elves accepted the summons, though, and those who remained in Middle-earth became known as the '''[[Avari]]''', or the "Unwilling".
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Oromë espies the first Elves.jpg |thumb|right|250px|[[Anke Eißmann]] - ''Oromë espies the first Elves'']] Though at first the Quendi were afraid of Oromë, the noblest among them saw that he was no dark horseman, as the lies of Melkor claimed.  He had the light of [[Aman]] in his eyes and face, and they were drawn to him.


The others were called the '''[[Eldar]]''', or "Starpeople", by Oromë, and they took Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë as their leaders, and became respectively the [[Vanyar]], [[Noldor]] and [[Teleri]]. On their journey, some of the Teleri feared the [[Misty Mountains]] and dared not cross them. They stayed in the vales of the [[Anduin]], and became the [[Nandor]].
After spending a while among the Quendi, Oromë returned to [[Valinor]] and took council with the other Valar and Valier.  At the counsel of [[Ilúvatar]], [[Manwë]], King of the Valar, decided that they must go to war against Melkor to protect the Quendi from him.  After a great battle and [[Siege of Utumno]], which reshaped the earth itself, Melkor was bound and cast into the prison of [[Mandos]]. Then the Valar, pleased with the outcome, summoned the Elves to Valinor, seeking fellowship with them.


Oromë led the others over the Misty Mountains and [[Ered Lindon]] into [[Beleriand]]. There Elwë was lost, and the Teleri stayed behind looking him. The Vanyar and the Noldor traveled to a [[Tol Eressëa|floating island]] that was moved by [[Ulmo]] to Valinor.  
At Oromë's urging, many of the Elves (especially the kindreds of [[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and [[Elwë]]) agreed.  But others, henceforth called the [[Avari]], declared that they preferred starlight and the wide spaces of [[Middle-earth]].  So the Elves were first sundered.  During the journey to [[Belegaer]], gradually the number of the Elves began to lessen as various groups dropped away.  Some of the [[Teleri]] (kindred of Elwë) refused to cross the [[Misty Mountains]], and settled in [[Anduin]] under the leadership of [[Lenwë]], to be called later the [[Nandor]]. Elwë then went missing, and in dismay the rest of the Teleri remained behind, while the [[Noldor]] (kindred of Finwë) and [[Vanyar]] (kindred of Ingwë) used an island as a ship, and found at last Aman and Valinor.


After several years, Ulmo returned to Beleriand to retrieve the remaining Teleri. As Elwë had not yet been found, the Teleri took his brother [[Olwë]] as their leader. Some (called the [[Eglath]] or "Forsaken") stayed behind, however, since they were still looking for Elwë. Others remained on the shores, for they were devoted to [[Ossë]]. These Elves took [[Círdan]] as their leader and became the [[Falathrim]]. All the Teleri who stayed in Beleriand became known as the [[Sindar]], or Grey-elves.
After several years, Oromë returned to search for the Teleri. Some, under [[Olwë]], relented and followed. Others remained to continue to search for Elwë.  Still others, under [[Círdan]], remained because in that time they had become devoted to [[Ossë]] and the Sea.  Those Teleri that chose to remain were called the [[Sindar]]. Elwë, who had fallen asleep due to his enchantment with [[Melian]], returned to claim lordship and establish them in [[Doriath]]. The Noldor and some of the Teleri, however, built the great cities of [[Tirion]] and [[Alqualondë]] (respectively) in Aman.  The Vanyar dwelt in [[Valmar]], for they were closest to the Valar of the kindreds.


These complex divisions are shown in the diagram below:
===Exile of the Noldor===
[[Image:Divisions of the Quendi colour.png|center|thumb|550px|''Venn diagram showing the kindreds of the Elves.'']]
{{main|Exile of the Noldor}}


===Exile===
[[File:Jenny Dolfen - The Coming of Fingolfin.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Jenny Dolfen]] - ''The Coming of Fingolfin'']] Melkor, having been released on the promise of good behavior, spread lies about the Valar among the Noldor.  [[Fëanor]], the eldest son of Finwë and one of the greatest Elves to have ever lived, hated Melkor more than all the other Noldor, but was paradoxically one of the most influenced by his lies.  He forged weapons, and his greatest works, the [[Silmarils]], captured the light of the [[Two Trees]] – and his own heart. After Melkor stole the Silmarils and killed Finwë, Fëanor stirred the Noldor to open disobedience to the Valar.  In an epic journey filled with treachery, death, and deceit, the Noldor entered in to Exile, crossing over into [[Beleriand]].
: ''Main article: [[Exile of the Noldor]]''
In Valinor, [[Fëanor]], son of Finwë and the greatest of the Noldor, created the [[Silmarils]] in which he stored the light of the [[Two Trees]]. After three ages in the Halls of Mandos, Melkor was released. He spread his evil through the hearts of the Noldor, and eventually killed Finwë and stole the Silmarils. Fëanor then named him '''Morgoth'''. Fëanor and his seven [[sons of Fëanor|sons]] then [[Oath of Fëanor|swore]] to take the Silmarils back, and led a large army of the Noldor to Beleriand to war against Morgoth.


===Wars of Beleriand===
===Battles of Beleriand===
: ''Main article: [[Wars of Beleriand]]''
{{main|Battles of Beleriand}}
In Beleriand, Elwë was eventually found, and married [[Melian]] the [[Maia]]. He was then known as [[Elu Thingol]] and became the overlord of Beleriand. After the [[First Battle of Beleriand]], during the first rising of the Moon, the Noldor arrived in Beleriand. They laid a [[Siege of Angband|siege]] around [[Angband]], but were eventually defeated.


Then [[Eärendil the Mariner]], a [[Half-elven|Half-elf]], sailed to Valinor to ask the Valar for help. Upon hearing Eärendil's request, the [[Curse of the Noldor]] was lifted, and the Valar began the [[War of Wrath]], in which Morgoth was finally overcome.
There were five great battles fought in Beleriand.  The [[First Battle]] was the result of an attack by Melkor on Círdan and Elwë (now known as [[Thingol]]).  Though the Elves managed to resist the attack successfully, this left Melkor essentially with full reign of Beleriand.  Upon the sudden and unanticipated [[Return of the Noldor]], the tables were reversed in the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]].  The third battle (“[[Dagor Aglareb]]”) occurred when Melkor tried unsuccessfully to destroy the Elves, breaking forth from [[Angband]].  This only resulted in the vigilant [[Siege of Angband]]. Morgoth was more successful in the next battle, [[Dagor Bragollach]], which ended in the deaths of many Elven princes, among them [[Fingolfin]], [[High King of the Noldor]].  The siege was broken.  Several decades later, [[Maedhros]], eldest son of Fëanor, counterattacked in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]].  Although at first very successful, the tide turned against the Elves, and ended in the destruction of [[Hithlum]].  It was not half a century later that [[Gondolin]], the last real stronghold of the Noldor, was [[The Fall of Gondolin|destroyed]].  [[Doriath]], the center of the [[Sindar]]in realm, was sacked by [[Dwarves]].[[File:Ted Nasmith - Eärendil and the Battle of Eagles and Dragons.jpg|left|150px|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Eärendil and The Battle of Eagles and Dragons'']]


===Second and Third Age===
===Salvation of the Elves===
After the War of Wrath, the Valar summoned the Eldar back to the [[West]]. Many complied, but some stayed. During the [[Second Age]], they founded the Realms of [[Lindon]], [[Eregion]] and [[Mirkwood]]. [[Sauron]], Morgoth’s former servant, made war upon them, but with the aid of the [[Númenóreans]] they stayed his attacks.
{{main|War of Wrath}}


During the Second and [[Third Age]] the High Elves held some protected realms with the aid of the [[Rings of Power]], but after the [[War of the Ring]] their influence waned further, and most of the Eldar left Middle-earth for Valinor.  
With the near destruction of the Elves, the last survivors were at the [[Mouths of Sirion]] and [[Isle of Balar|Balar]] and were led by Gil-galad and Círdan. Among them was [[Eärendil]], the son of [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]].  Eärendil made a miraculous voyage to [[Valinor]] to beg the pardon of the Valar.  His request was granted.  The Valar came across the Sea to [[Middle-earth]], and in the [[War of Wrath]] thrust Morgoth into the [[Void]] and purged Beleriand.  They offered to let the Elves return with them to Valinor; some accepted, but many others, under [[Gil-galad]], chose to remain.


===Fourth Age and beyond===
===Decline of the Elves===
With the destruction of the [[One Ring]], the power of the [[Three Rings]] of the Elves ended and the [[Dominion of Men]] began. Those Elves that remained in Middle-earth were doomed to a slow decline until, in the words of Galadriel, they faded and became a "rustic folk of dell and cave," and were greatly diminished from their ancient power and nobility.


However, immediately after the end of the Third Age, there were still many Elven communities in Middle-earth. [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], the sons of [[Elrond]], did not accompany their father when the [[White Ship]] bearing the [[Ringbearer]] and the chief Noldorin leaders sailed from the [[Grey Havens]] to Valinor; they were said to have remained in Rivendell for a time. Celeborn was said to have added most of southern Mirkwood to the realm of Lórien at the end of the Third Age, and [[Thranduil]] continued to rule the northern part of that forest.
[[File:Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif|thumb|right|150px|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Celebrimbor'']] Though Morgoth was gone to trouble the world no longer, [[Sauron]], his greatest servant, was still there, and he made war on the remaining Elves who chose not to depart Middle-earth throughout the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.


Also, many Elves moved to [[Ithilien]] during King [[Elessar]]'s reign, and assisted in the rebuilding of [[Gondor]]. Legolas remained in Middle-earth until after the King's death. Some Elves continued to dwell at the Grey Havens as well. Círdan did not sail with Elrond and Galadriel, as he would only leave on the last ship to ever leave the Havens.  
During this time the Elves realized how [[Men]] were rising to take their place, and Sauron exploited their longing. [[Annatar]] corrupted [[Celebrimbor]], the grandson of Fëanor, to wright the [[Rings of Power]], especially the [[Three Rings]] to preserve the Elves. Annatar was a guise of Sauron who also forged a ring – [[the One Ring]]. However the Elves realized the deception and defied Sauron, who then [[War of the Elves and Sauron|waged War against them]]. In the following centuries Elves continued to heed the invitation of the Valar, desire the Sea and depart for the Undying Lands. Realms such as [[Dol Amroth]] were deserted and gave their place to Men.


It is assumed those of the Quendi who never travelled to Aman, such as the [[Avari]], succumbed to the change and mortality of the Middle-earth. Their bodies were consumed by their souls, and simply faded away and, not unlike the [[Ringwraiths]], turned into purely spiritual creatures invisible to the eye.
It was not until the end of the Third Age that the One Ring was destroyed, marring the Three Rings at the same time.  In the years that followed the last of the Elves departed across the Sea to Valinor, their mission against Sauron complete, never to return.


==Life cycle==
Well into the [[Fourth Age]] and the [[Dominion of Men]], most Elves apparently had left the [[Westlands]], with most populations remaining at least in [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lindon]]. [[Rivendell]] and [[Lothlórien]] appeared mostly abandoned around the time of [[King Elessar]]'s and [[Arwen]]'s death.<ref>{{App|Tale}}</ref>
(''Main Article: [[Elven Life cycle]]'')


The Elves had a very different life cycle than Men.
The Elves eventually faded, as their spirits overwhelmed and consumed their bodies. At the end of the world, all Elves will have become invisible to mortal eyes, known as [[Lingerers]], except to those to whom they wish to manifest themselves.<ref>{{MR|Laws}}</ref> [[Ilúvatar]] had not revealed the role of the Elves after [[the End]].<ref>{{S|1}}</ref>


== Characteristics ==
==Life and Customs of the Elves==
(''Main Article: [[Elven Characteristics]]'')
::::''Main articles: ''[[Elven Characteristics]], [[Elven Life cycle]] and [[Elven Customs]]''


[[Image:Piotr Wysocki - Last Elf.jpg|thumb|''Last Elf'' by Piotr Wysocki]]
Besides being considered more beautiful than men, Elves were also generally taller. Their hair color varied; but the basic rules were that the [[Noldor]] generally had dark hair (brown or black), the [[Vanyar]] golden, and the [[Teleri]] silver or dark.  Their eyes are usually described as gray.  Their most distinguishing characteristic from the [[Mortals|Mortal]] races was the fact that they were invulnerable to age or disease; unless they were killed by sword or sorrow they would live to the end of the world.
The Elves were a far more beautiful race than Men, and generally taller. Among them, those who had gone to Valinor were the fairest and had the greatest skill of body.


==Customs==
Their lives were counted to begin at conception rather than birth, and though their minds sharpened much earlier in life than in the race of Men, their bodies grew more slowly.  They were considered fully-grown at about a century.  They married usually only once in their lives, and their children were often few and far-between.
(''Main Article: [[Elven Customs]]'')


==Elvish languages==  
==Arts, Crafts, Powers and Magic==
:''Main article: [[Elvish]]''
 
The Elves had at least as many languages as they had divisions. The tongue originally common to them all, that they spoke at Cuiviénen, was referred to as Primitive Quendian. All other Elvish languages were derived from it, as shown below:
Other races often spoke of 'Elf magic', or of objects made by Elves as if they contained enchantments. It is unclear how accurate it is to call Elvish arts and crafts 'magic' or 'enchanted'. Elves themselves only used these words when attempting to simplify or clarify how elvish-made things seemed to have a special quality that no other races were able to achieve. Powerful Elves seemed to have control over nature and the elements, their clothes seemed to shine with their own light, their blades seemed to never lose their sharpness. Less educated folks couldn't explain these effects, so they simply called them 'magic'.
However, each race had their own special abilities that seemed incomprehensible to others. Hobbits had a seemingly supernatural ability to hide when they wished to remain unseen. <ref>{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref> Dwarves were unmatched in the art of mining and building halls underground. Wizards had such wisdom and knowledge of the world and all things in it that they appeared to have mystical powers. To each of these races, what they did had nothing to do with magic, it was just how they did things. It may have been so too with Elves. Whether there was any kind of mystical energy involved in the things Elves made can never be proved or disproved. <ref>{{L|131}}</ref>
 
==Languages==
{{main|Elvish}}
 
[[File:Donato Giancola - Lore.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|[[Donato Giancola]] - ''Lore'']] Because [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] developed the Elves almost for his languages, those he developed are of special interest to many Tolkien scholars. His primary languages are [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]], but these have many variants and dialects as is seen in the table below.  They were generally written in the [[Cirth]] and [[Tengwar]] scripts.


*'''[[Primitive Quendian]]'''
*'''[[Primitive Quendian]]'''
**'''[[Avari]]n'''
**'''[[Avarin]]'''
***'''Various Avarin languages''' (some later merged with Nandorin)
***'''Various Avarin languages''' (some later merged with Nandorin)
**'''[[Common Eldarin]]''' (the early language of all the [[Eldar]])
**'''[[Common Eldarin]]''' (the early language of all the [[Eldar]])
Line 87: Line 90:
****''' ''Noldorin Quenya'' (also ''Exilic Quenya'') ''' (the "Elven Latin" of Middle-earth)
****''' ''Noldorin Quenya'' (also ''Exilic Quenya'') ''' (the "Elven Latin" of Middle-earth)
***'''[[Common Telerin]]''' (the early language of all the [[Lindar]])
***'''[[Common Telerin]]''' (the early language of all the [[Lindar]])
****'''[[Teleri]]n''' (the language of the [[Teleri]] who reached the [[Undying Lands]])
****'''[[Telerin]]''' (the language of the [[Teleri]] who reached the [[Undying Lands]])
****'''[[Nandor]]in''' (languages of the [[Nandor]] — some were influenced by Avarin)
****'''[[Nandorin]]''' (languages of the [[Nandor]] — some were influenced by Avarin)
*****'''Original language of [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]]'''
*****'''Original language of [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]]'''
*****'''Original language of [[Lothlórien|Lórinand]]'''
*****'''Original language of [[Lothlórien|Lórinand]]'''
Line 95: Line 98:
*****'''[[Falathrin]]''' (dialect of the [[Falas]] and [[Nargothrond]])
*****'''[[Falathrin]]''' (dialect of the [[Falas]] and [[Nargothrond]])
*****'''[[North Sindarin]]''' (dialects of [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]])
*****'''[[North Sindarin]]''' (dialects of [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]])
******'''[[Gondor Sindarin]]''' (dialect of [[Gondor]])
==Inspiration==
===Germanic influence===
In ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', a diminutive fairy-like race of elves had once been a great and mighty people who had "diminished" as Men took over the world.<ref name="bolt1" /><ref>{{HM|LT2}}</ref><ref name="Fimi">[[Dimitra Fimi]], [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2386/is_2_117/ai_n16676591 "Mad" Elves and "elusive beauty": some Celtic strands of Tolkien's mythology] in ''Folklore'', vol. 117, iss. 2, August 2006, pp. 156–170</ref> themselves influenced by the [[Wikipedia:Elf|Elves]] of Northern European mythologies, especially the god-like and human-sized ''[[Wikipedia:Light elf|Ljósálfar]]'' of Norse mythology,<ref>[[Tom Shippey]], ''[[The Road to Middle-earth]]''</ref> also appearing in medieval works such as ''[[Sir Orfeo]]'', the Welsh [[Pwyll Prince of Dyved|Mabinogion]], [[The Fall of Arthur|Arthurian romances]] and the legends of the [[Wikipedia:Tuatha Dé Danann|Tuatha Dé Danann]].<ref name="Anderson1">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Douglas A. Anderson]] (ed.), ''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'', p. 120</ref>
Terry Gunnell also claims that the relationship between beautiful ships and the Elves is reminiscent of Njörðr and Skíðblaðni, Freyr's ship.<ref name="Articles"/>


Those languages that were written down were done so using the [[Tengwar]] and [[Cirth]] scripts.
===Celtic influence===
Tolkien expressed a dislike in Celtic legends and denied that his legendarium is "Celtic",<ref>{{HM|Bio}}, p. 26</ref> however it is believed that Celtic Mythology had a great influence on Tolkien's writings on Elves <ref>[[John Garth]], ''[[Tolkien and the Great War]]'', p. 222</ref><ref name="Articles">Terry Gunnell, "[http://www.hi.is/Apps/WebObjects/HI.woa/wa/dp?detail=1004509&name=nordals_en_greinar_og_erindi ''Tívar'' in a Timeless Land: Tolkien's Elves]" conference lecture delivered on 13 September 2002</ref> and some of the stories Tolkien wrote as their 'legends' are directly influenced by it.<ref name="Fimi"/>  For example, the [[Noldor]] are based on the Tuatha Dé Danann in the ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'', and their migratory nature comes from early Irish/Celtic history.<ref name="Fimi"/> John Garth has also referenced the Tuatha Dé Danann in suggesting Tolkien was essentially rewriting Irish fairy traditions.


==Clans==
Tolkien also retains the usage of the Celtic and popular term 'fairy' for the same creatures.<ref>[[Marjorie J. Burns]], ''Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth'', p. 22</ref> The Elves are also called fair folk (based on [[Welsh]] ''Tylwyth teg'' 'the beautiful kindred' = fairies)<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 757 cf. "Fair folk"</ref> although they are unrelated to fairies.
* [[Noldor]]
* [[Vanyar]]
* [[Sindar]]
* [[Teleri]]
* [[Dark Elves]]
* [[Half-elven]]


==See also==
===Eschatology===
* [[:Category:Images of Elves|Images of Elves]]
The larger Elves are also inspired by Tolkien's Christian theology — as representing the state of Men in Eden who have not yet "[[Wikipedia:Fall of Man|fallen]]" — similar to humans but fairer and wiser, with greater spiritual powers, keener senses, and a closer empathy with nature, freed from human limitations, immortal, with wills directly effective for the achievement of imagination and desire.<ref name="Carpenter"/>


===Fairies===
Traditional "Victorian" dancing fairies and elves appear in Tolkien's early poetry,<ref name = "bolt1">{{HM|LT1}}</ref> and have influence upon his later works<ref>[[Dimitra Fimi]], "[http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/working_with_english/Fimi_31_05_06.pdf Come sing ye light fairy things tripping so gay: Victorian Fairies and the Early Work of J. R. R. Tolkien]". ''Working With English: Medieval and Modern Language, Literature and Drama''. Retrieved 11/01/08</ref> in part due to the influence of a production of J.M. Barrie's ''Peter Pan'' in [[Birmingham]] in 1910<ref name="Carpenter">[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''</ref> and his familiarity with the work of Catholic mystic poet, Francis Thompson<ref name="Carpenter" /> whose work Tolkien had acquired in 1914.<ref name="bolt1" />
In ''The Book of Lost Tales'' Tolkien includes both the more serious 'medieval' type of elves such as [[Fëanor]] and [[Turgon]] alongside the frivolous, "Jacobean-era" type of elves such as the [[Solosimpi]] and [[Lúthien|Tinúviel]].<ref name="Anderson1" />
Tolkien also developed the idea of children visiting [[Valinor]] in their sleep. Elves would also visit and comfort chided or upset children at night. This theme was largely abandoned.<ref>{{LT1|I}}</ref>
However after the publication of ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien repeatedly expressed his misgivings concerning the undesirable associations of the name "elf" like those of ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'', the Victorian notions of fairies or mischievous imps, the imaginations of Michael Drayton or the fanciful beings with butterfly wings.
He proposed that in [[translations of The Lord of the Rings|translations]] the "oldest available form of the name" be used for more elevated notions of beings  "supposed to possess formidable magical powers in early Teutonic mythology" ([[OED]] viz. the [[Old English]] ''ælf'', from Proto-Germanic ''*albo-z''). Tolkien warned against associations to the debased English notion of ''elfin'' and suggested that Germans would not translate his Elves as ''Elf, elfen'', words which might retain the undesirable images.
He rather suggested words such as ''Alp, Alb'', historically the more normal form and true cognate of English ''elf''.<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 756, s.v. "Elven-smiths".</ref>
== See Also ==
* '''[[:Category:Images of Elves|Images of Elves]]'''
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[[Category:Elves]]
[[Category:Races]]
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Revision as of 17:02, 16 July 2015

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
 This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Elves
Race
Ted Nasmith - At Lake Cuiviénen.jpg
General Information
MembersIngwë, Thingol, Finwë, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Gil-galad, Galadriel, Finrod, Sons of Fëanor, Lúthien, Fingon, Turgon, Idril, Maeglin, Círdan, Celeborn, Celebrimbor
Physical Description
LifespanArda's existence
DistinctionsNearly immortal, inventors of writing and other arts
Average heightTall
GalleryImages of Elves

The Elves (Eldar) were the first of the races of the Children of Ilúvatar, known also as the Firstborn for that reason. The Elves are distinguished from the other two races, the Men and the Dwarves, especially by the fact of their near immortality.

History

Awakening

Main article: Awakening of the Elves
Ted Nasmith - The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves

About the same time that Varda, Queen of the Valier, ended her labors in creating the Stars, the Elves awoke beside the lake Cuiviénen. The first things they saw were the stars, and henceforth they adored them. The first sound they heard was the flowing of water, and henceforth they loved water as well.

They made speech then, and called themselves the Quendi. Melkor was the first to be aware of them, and he caused evil spirits to go about among them. When one or a small group wandered abroad, they would often vanish. It is believed that Melkor may have created Orcs with the elves he captured.

Oromë, the Huntsman of the Valar, happened upon them when he heard their singing far-off. He was amazed to see them, and called them the Eldar, "People of the Stars".

Sundering

Main article: Sundering of the Elves
Anke Eißmann - Oromë espies the first Elves

Though at first the Quendi were afraid of Oromë, the noblest among them saw that he was no dark horseman, as the lies of Melkor claimed. He had the light of Aman in his eyes and face, and they were drawn to him.

After spending a while among the Quendi, Oromë returned to Valinor and took council with the other Valar and Valier. At the counsel of Ilúvatar, Manwë, King of the Valar, decided that they must go to war against Melkor to protect the Quendi from him. After a great battle and Siege of Utumno, which reshaped the earth itself, Melkor was bound and cast into the prison of Mandos. Then the Valar, pleased with the outcome, summoned the Elves to Valinor, seeking fellowship with them.

At Oromë's urging, many of the Elves (especially the kindreds of Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë) agreed. But others, henceforth called the Avari, declared that they preferred starlight and the wide spaces of Middle-earth. So the Elves were first sundered. During the journey to Belegaer, gradually the number of the Elves began to lessen as various groups dropped away. Some of the Teleri (kindred of Elwë) refused to cross the Misty Mountains, and settled in Anduin under the leadership of Lenwë, to be called later the Nandor. Elwë then went missing, and in dismay the rest of the Teleri remained behind, while the Noldor (kindred of Finwë) and Vanyar (kindred of Ingwë) used an island as a ship, and found at last Aman and Valinor.

After several years, Oromë returned to search for the Teleri. Some, under Olwë, relented and followed. Others remained to continue to search for Elwë. Still others, under Círdan, remained because in that time they had become devoted to Ossë and the Sea. Those Teleri that chose to remain were called the Sindar. Elwë, who had fallen asleep due to his enchantment with Melian, returned to claim lordship and establish them in Doriath. The Noldor and some of the Teleri, however, built the great cities of Tirion and Alqualondë (respectively) in Aman. The Vanyar dwelt in Valmar, for they were closest to the Valar of the kindreds.

Exile of the Noldor

Main article: Exile of the Noldor
Jenny Dolfen - The Coming of Fingolfin

Melkor, having been released on the promise of good behavior, spread lies about the Valar among the Noldor. Fëanor, the eldest son of Finwë and one of the greatest Elves to have ever lived, hated Melkor more than all the other Noldor, but was paradoxically one of the most influenced by his lies. He forged weapons, and his greatest works, the Silmarils, captured the light of the Two Trees – and his own heart. After Melkor stole the Silmarils and killed Finwë, Fëanor stirred the Noldor to open disobedience to the Valar. In an epic journey filled with treachery, death, and deceit, the Noldor entered in to Exile, crossing over into Beleriand.

Battles of Beleriand

Main article: Battles of Beleriand

There were five great battles fought in Beleriand. The First Battle was the result of an attack by Melkor on Círdan and Elwë (now known as Thingol). Though the Elves managed to resist the attack successfully, this left Melkor essentially with full reign of Beleriand. Upon the sudden and unanticipated Return of the Noldor, the tables were reversed in the Dagor-nuin-Giliath. The third battle (“Dagor Aglareb”) occurred when Melkor tried unsuccessfully to destroy the Elves, breaking forth from Angband. This only resulted in the vigilant Siege of Angband. Morgoth was more successful in the next battle, Dagor Bragollach, which ended in the deaths of many Elven princes, among them Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor. The siege was broken. Several decades later, Maedhros, eldest son of Fëanor, counterattacked in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Although at first very successful, the tide turned against the Elves, and ended in the destruction of Hithlum. It was not half a century later that Gondolin, the last real stronghold of the Noldor, was destroyed. Doriath, the center of the Sindarin realm, was sacked by Dwarves.

Ted Nasmith - Eärendil and The Battle of Eagles and Dragons

Salvation of the Elves

Main article: War of Wrath

With the near destruction of the Elves, the last survivors were at the Mouths of Sirion and Balar and were led by Gil-galad and Círdan. Among them was Eärendil, the son of Tuor and Idril. Eärendil made a miraculous voyage to Valinor to beg the pardon of the Valar. His request was granted. The Valar came across the Sea to Middle-earth, and in the War of Wrath thrust Morgoth into the Void and purged Beleriand. They offered to let the Elves return with them to Valinor; some accepted, but many others, under Gil-galad, chose to remain.

Decline of the Elves

Angus McBride - Celebrimbor

Though Morgoth was gone to trouble the world no longer, Sauron, his greatest servant, was still there, and he made war on the remaining Elves who chose not to depart Middle-earth throughout the Second and Third Ages.

During this time the Elves realized how Men were rising to take their place, and Sauron exploited their longing. Annatar corrupted Celebrimbor, the grandson of Fëanor, to wright the Rings of Power, especially the Three Rings to preserve the Elves. Annatar was a guise of Sauron who also forged a ring – the One Ring. However the Elves realized the deception and defied Sauron, who then waged War against them. In the following centuries Elves continued to heed the invitation of the Valar, desire the Sea and depart for the Undying Lands. Realms such as Dol Amroth were deserted and gave their place to Men.

It was not until the end of the Third Age that the One Ring was destroyed, marring the Three Rings at the same time. In the years that followed the last of the Elves departed across the Sea to Valinor, their mission against Sauron complete, never to return.

Well into the Fourth Age and the Dominion of Men, most Elves apparently had left the Westlands, with most populations remaining at least in Mirkwood and Lindon. Rivendell and Lothlórien appeared mostly abandoned around the time of King Elessar's and Arwen's death.[1]

The Elves eventually faded, as their spirits overwhelmed and consumed their bodies. At the end of the world, all Elves will have become invisible to mortal eyes, known as Lingerers, except to those to whom they wish to manifest themselves.[2] Ilúvatar had not revealed the role of the Elves after the End.[3]

Life and Customs of the Elves

Main articles: Elven Characteristics, Elven Life cycle and Elven Customs

Besides being considered more beautiful than men, Elves were also generally taller. Their hair color varied; but the basic rules were that the Noldor generally had dark hair (brown or black), the Vanyar golden, and the Teleri silver or dark. Their eyes are usually described as gray. Their most distinguishing characteristic from the Mortal races was the fact that they were invulnerable to age or disease; unless they were killed by sword or sorrow they would live to the end of the world.

Their lives were counted to begin at conception rather than birth, and though their minds sharpened much earlier in life than in the race of Men, their bodies grew more slowly. They were considered fully-grown at about a century. They married usually only once in their lives, and their children were often few and far-between.

Arts, Crafts, Powers and Magic

Other races often spoke of 'Elf magic', or of objects made by Elves as if they contained enchantments. It is unclear how accurate it is to call Elvish arts and crafts 'magic' or 'enchanted'. Elves themselves only used these words when attempting to simplify or clarify how elvish-made things seemed to have a special quality that no other races were able to achieve. Powerful Elves seemed to have control over nature and the elements, their clothes seemed to shine with their own light, their blades seemed to never lose their sharpness. Less educated folks couldn't explain these effects, so they simply called them 'magic'. However, each race had their own special abilities that seemed incomprehensible to others. Hobbits had a seemingly supernatural ability to hide when they wished to remain unseen. [4] Dwarves were unmatched in the art of mining and building halls underground. Wizards had such wisdom and knowledge of the world and all things in it that they appeared to have mystical powers. To each of these races, what they did had nothing to do with magic, it was just how they did things. It may have been so too with Elves. Whether there was any kind of mystical energy involved in the things Elves made can never be proved or disproved. [5]

Languages

Main article: Elvish
Donato Giancola - Lore

Because Tolkien developed the Elves almost for his languages, those he developed are of special interest to many Tolkien scholars. His primary languages are Quenya and Sindarin, but these have many variants and dialects as is seen in the table below. They were generally written in the Cirth and Tengwar scripts.

Inspiration

Germanic influence

In The Book of Lost Tales, a diminutive fairy-like race of elves had once been a great and mighty people who had "diminished" as Men took over the world.[6][7][8] themselves influenced by the Elves of Northern European mythologies, especially the god-like and human-sized Ljósálfar of Norse mythology,[9] also appearing in medieval works such as Sir Orfeo, the Welsh Mabinogion, Arthurian romances and the legends of the Tuatha Dé Danann.[10]

Terry Gunnell also claims that the relationship between beautiful ships and the Elves is reminiscent of Njörðr and Skíðblaðni, Freyr's ship.[11]

Celtic influence

Tolkien expressed a dislike in Celtic legends and denied that his legendarium is "Celtic",[12] however it is believed that Celtic Mythology had a great influence on Tolkien's writings on Elves [13][11] and some of the stories Tolkien wrote as their 'legends' are directly influenced by it.[8] For example, the Noldor are based on the Tuatha Dé Danann in the Lebor Gabála Érenn, and their migratory nature comes from early Irish/Celtic history.[8] John Garth has also referenced the Tuatha Dé Danann in suggesting Tolkien was essentially rewriting Irish fairy traditions.

Tolkien also retains the usage of the Celtic and popular term 'fairy' for the same creatures.[14] The Elves are also called fair folk (based on Welsh Tylwyth teg 'the beautiful kindred' = fairies)[15] although they are unrelated to fairies.

Eschatology

The larger Elves are also inspired by Tolkien's Christian theology — as representing the state of Men in Eden who have not yet "fallen" — similar to humans but fairer and wiser, with greater spiritual powers, keener senses, and a closer empathy with nature, freed from human limitations, immortal, with wills directly effective for the achievement of imagination and desire.[16]

Fairies

Traditional "Victorian" dancing fairies and elves appear in Tolkien's early poetry,[6] and have influence upon his later works[17] in part due to the influence of a production of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan in Birmingham in 1910[16] and his familiarity with the work of Catholic mystic poet, Francis Thompson[16] whose work Tolkien had acquired in 1914.[6]

In The Book of Lost Tales Tolkien includes both the more serious 'medieval' type of elves such as Fëanor and Turgon alongside the frivolous, "Jacobean-era" type of elves such as the Solosimpi and Tinúviel.[10]

Tolkien also developed the idea of children visiting Valinor in their sleep. Elves would also visit and comfort chided or upset children at night. This theme was largely abandoned.[18]

However after the publication of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien repeatedly expressed his misgivings concerning the undesirable associations of the name "elf" like those of A Midsummer Night's Dream, the Victorian notions of fairies or mischievous imps, the imaginations of Michael Drayton or the fanciful beings with butterfly wings.

He proposed that in translations the "oldest available form of the name" be used for more elevated notions of beings "supposed to possess formidable magical powers in early Teutonic mythology" (OED viz. the Old English ælf, from Proto-Germanic *albo-z). Tolkien warned against associations to the debased English notion of elfin and suggested that Germans would not translate his Elves as Elf, elfen, words which might retain the undesirable images.

He rather suggested words such as Alp, Alb, historically the more normal form and true cognate of English elf.[19]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Concerning Hobbits"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 131, (undated, written late 1951)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Dimitra Fimi, "Mad" Elves and "elusive beauty": some Celtic strands of Tolkien's mythology in Folklore, vol. 117, iss. 2, August 2006, pp. 156–170
  9. ↑ Tom Shippey, The Road to Middle-earth
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 J.R.R. Tolkien and Douglas A. Anderson (ed.), The Annotated Hobbit, p. 120
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Terry Gunnell, "Tívar in a Timeless Land: Tolkien's Elves" conference lecture delivered on 13 September 2002
  12. ↑ Humphrey Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, p. 26
  13. ↑ John Garth, Tolkien and the Great War, p. 222
  14. ↑ Marjorie J. Burns, Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth, p. 22
  15. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 757 cf. "Fair folk"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Humphrey Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography
  17. ↑ Dimitra Fimi, "Come sing ye light fairy things tripping so gay: Victorian Fairies and the Early Work of J. R. R. Tolkien". Working With English: Medieval and Modern Language, Literature and Drama. Retrieved 11/01/08
  18. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "I. The Cottage of Lost Play"
  19. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 756, s.v. "Elven-smiths".
Elves
(Quendi · People of the Stars · Firstborn · Elder Kindred)
Three Kindreds:
(Eldar · Eldalië · Edhil) 		 Vanyar (Fair-elves · Minyar) · Noldor (Deep-elves · Tatyar) · Teleri (Lindar · Nelyar)
Calaquendi:
(High-elves · Amanyar) 		 Vanyar · Noldor · Falmari
Úmanyar:  Sindar (Grey-elves · Eglath · Falathrim) · Nandor (Green-elves · Silvan Elves)
 Moriquendi:  Úmanyar · Avari (Cuind · Hwenti · Kindi · Kinn-lai · Penni · Windan)
See also:  Awakening of the Elves · Sundering of the Elves · Great Journey
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