Ilu: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (references)
(Added inspiration)
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{stub}}
{{stub}}
'''Ilu''' is a [[Quenya]] word that means "all, everything, the world". As a cosmological term it includes everything that exists, the created being ([[Eä]]) but also [[God]] and the [[spirits]] who created it, and all [[fëa|souls]].<ref>{{VT|39a}}, p.20</ref>
==Other versions of the Legendarium==
{{quote|Ilu [[Ilúvatar]] en káre [[Eldar|eldain]] a [[Fírimar|fírimoin]].<br>([[Qenya]]: The Father made the World for Elves and Mortals)|[[Firiel's Song]]<ref>{{LR|P1III2}}</ref>}}
{{quote|Ilu [[Ilúvatar]] en káre [[Eldar|eldain]] a [[Fírimar|fírimoin]].<br>([[Qenya]]: The Father made the World for Elves and Mortals)|[[Firiel's Song]]<ref>{{LR|P1III2}}</ref>}}
'''Ilu''' refers to an early cosmological concept of the [[Legendarium]]. Ilu was the name of "the World", signifying both the inhabited world and also the whole universe.
In the early concept of the [[Legendarium]], Ilu was the name of "the World", signifying ''both'' the inhabited world and also the whole universe.


Ilu is everything that exists, and comprises of the habitable world proper ([[Ambar]]), with its layers of air and skies, the [[Sun]], the [[Moon]] and the [[stars]]. All these are enveloped in the outer layer of air, [[Vaiya]].
Ilu is everything that exists, and comprises of the habitable world proper ([[Ambar]]), with its layers of air and skies, the [[Sun]], the [[Moon]] and the [[stars]]. All these are enveloped in the outer layer of air, [[Vaiya]].
Line 7: Line 9:
The boundaries of Ilu are the [[Ilurambar]], the "shell" that encloses Ilu, separating Vaiya from [[kúma]] and non-existence.<ref>{{SM|5}}</ref>
The boundaries of Ilu are the [[Ilurambar]], the "shell" that encloses Ilu, separating Vaiya from [[kúma]] and non-existence.<ref>{{SM|5}}</ref>


This concept evolved in a different cosmology in ''[[The Later Quenta Silmarillion]]'', where new concepts are introduced: The habitable world is named ''[[Arda]]'', more or less equivalent to both [[Ambar]] and Ilu; the whole existence, or created universe, is named ''[[Ea]]'', which, unlike Ilu, is vast and might include other worlds other than Arda.<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref>  
This concept evolved in a different cosmology in ''[[The Later Quenta Silmarillion]]'', where new concepts are introduced: The habitable world is named ''[[Arda]]'', more or less equivalent to both [[Ambar]] and Ilu; the whole existence, or created universe, is named ''[[]]'', which, unlike the former Ilu, is vast and might include other worlds other than Arda.<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref>  
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The word ''Ilu'' is [[Qenya]] and means "universe", and is an alternative form of ''[[ilúvë]]''. They come from the [[root]] [[IL]] meaning "all".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}</ref>
The word ''Ilu'' is [[Quenya]] and means "universe", and is an alternative form of ''[[ilúvë]]''. They come from the [[root]] [[IL]] meaning "all".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}</ref>


Ilu doesn't appear in the published [[Silmarillion]], but the alternate form  ''[[ilúvë]]'' survives, as in the name ''[[Ilúvatar]]''.<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''ilúvë''</ref>  
Ilu does not appear in the published [[Silmarillion]], but the alternate form  ''[[ilúvë]]'' survives, as in the name ''[[Ilúvatar]]''.<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''ilúvë''</ref>  
 
==Inspiration==
In terminology, Ilu has different scope than the later [[Ea]]: Ilu refers to the whole universe ''including'' God and all souls and spirits, whereas ''Ea'' refers only to the universe created by them.<ref>{{VT|39a}}, p.20</ref>
[[Christopher Gilson]] has noted that the name ''Ilu'' is presumably inspired by the [[Wikipedia:Akkadian|Akkadian]] word ''ilu'' "God".<ref>[[Christopher Gilson]], "His Breath Was Taken Away: Tolkien, Barfield, and Elvish Diction", in {{TS|14}}, p. 41</ref>
{{references}}
{{references}}
{{cosmology}}
{{cosmology}}
[[Category:Cosmology]]
[[Category:Cosmology]]
[[Category:Quenya words]]

Revision as of 23:35, 3 December 2017

"...there is much else that may be told." — Glóin
This article or section is a stub. Please help Tolkien Gateway by expanding it.

Ilu is a Quenya word that means "all, everything, the world". As a cosmological term it includes everything that exists, the created being () but also God and the spirits who created it, and all souls.[1]

Other versions of the Legendarium

"Ilu Ilúvatar en káre eldain a fírimoin.
(Qenya: The Father made the World for Elves and Mortals)
"
Firiel's Song[2]

In the early concept of the Legendarium, Ilu was the name of "the World", signifying both the inhabited world and also the whole universe.

Ilu is everything that exists, and comprises of the habitable world proper (Ambar), with its layers of air and skies, the Sun, the Moon and the stars. All these are enveloped in the outer layer of air, Vaiya.

The boundaries of Ilu are the Ilurambar, the "shell" that encloses Ilu, separating Vaiya from kúma and non-existence.[3]

This concept evolved in a different cosmology in The Later Quenta Silmarillion, where new concepts are introduced: The habitable world is named Arda, more or less equivalent to both Ambar and Ilu; the whole existence, or created universe, is named , which, unlike the former Ilu, is vast and might include other worlds other than Arda.[4]

Etymology

The word Ilu is Quenya and means "universe", and is an alternative form of ilúvë. They come from the root IL meaning "all".[5]

Ilu does not appear in the published Silmarillion, but the alternate form ilúvë survives, as in the name Ilúvatar.[6]

Inspiration

Christopher Gilson has noted that the name Ilu is presumably inspired by the Akkadian word ilu "God".[7]

References

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