Nerdanel

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Nerdanel
Noldo
Marya Filatova - Mahtan's daughter.jpg
Biographical Information
Other names"the Wise"
AffiliationNot Oath of Fëanor
LanguageCommon Eldarin and
Quenya
BirthDuring the Years of the Trees
Family
HouseHouse of Mahtan
ParentageMahtan
SpouseFëanor
ChildrenMaedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, and Amras
Physical Description
GenderFemale
Hair colorPresumably red[note 1]
GalleryImages of Nerdanel

Nerdanel (Q, pron. [ˈnerdanel]) was the daughter of the Noldorin smith Mahtan and the wife of Fëanor. Nerdanel was a noted sculptor. She is said to have made statues so lifelike that people thought them real.

She bore Fëanor seven sons: Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, and Amras (see Sons of Fëanor). Nerdanel, unlike her husband, was of a peaceful nature and sought to moderate his fiery temper and pride with wisdom. For a time she was the only one able to influence him. Called "the Wise", Nerdanel refused to follow her husband to Middle-earth, and apparently still lives in Aman.[1]

Nerdanel's family is interesting as the only known Elves with red hair. Nerdanel's father Mahtan and three of her sons (Maedhros, Amrod, and Amras) are described as having a reddish brown hair and this is described as a trait "of Nerdanel's kin". Nerdanel possessed a ruddy complexion.

Etymology

The name Nerdanel is given no clear meaning or etymology in the published writings of Tolkien. The original (rejected) version of her name was Istarnië.[2]

Editor and linguist Patrick H. Wynne has suggested that the element nerd- in Nerdanel perhaps derives from nerdo ("large, strong man"), noting that the name "might refer to her strength of body and mind, and her pursuits of crafts more commonly practiced by men." Wynne also suggests that Istarnië derives from Quenya ista- ("know"), apparently "referring to her 'desire for knowledge'".[3]

Genealogy


Mahtan
 
Míriel
 
Finwë
 
Indis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NERDANEL
 
 
 
Fëanor
 
 
 
 
Findis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maedhros
 
 
 
 
 
Fingolfin
 
 
 
Maglor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Celegorm
 
 
 
 
 
Irimë
 
 
 
Caranthir
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Curufin
 
 
 
 
 
Finarfin
 
 
 
Amrod
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amras
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Celebrimbor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See Also

Notes

  1. Her kin all had red-brown hair. See J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor" pp. 353 & 365-6

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor", p. 273
  3. 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, p. 33-4