Ossë: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
mNo edit summary
(Tweaked etymology (shamelessly stealing poarts of Ederchil's wording in the Uinen article))
Line 2: Line 2:
| image=[[File:Kent Burles - Ossë.png|250px]]
| image=[[File:Kent Burles - Ossë.png|250px]]
| name=Ossë
| name=Ossë
| othernames=Gaerys
| othernames=Yssion, Gaerys
| coming=During the [[Years of the Trees]]
| coming=During the [[Years of the Trees]]
| death=Immortal
| death=Immortal
Line 19: Line 19:
After the [[Valar]] pronounced the [[Doom of the Noldor]], Ossë helped guard the shores of [[Beleriand]] to keep the ships of the Noldor from reaching [[Valinor]]. His storms had a part in wrecking all the ships that they sent, and only one [[Elves|Elf]] from among their crews survived, by the will of Ulmo: [[Voronwë]]. During the [[Second Age]] he rose the island of [[Elenna]] ([[Numenor]]) from the depths of the Sea.
After the [[Valar]] pronounced the [[Doom of the Noldor]], Ossë helped guard the shores of [[Beleriand]] to keep the ships of the Noldor from reaching [[Valinor]]. His storms had a part in wrecking all the ships that they sent, and only one [[Elves|Elf]] from among their crews survived, by the will of Ulmo: [[Voronwë]]. During the [[Second Age]] he rose the island of [[Elenna]] ([[Numenor]]) from the depths of the Sea.
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name is said to derive from the [[Valarin]] ''Ošošai, Oššai''.<ref>{{WJ|AD1}}</ref>


It is also understood as the [[Quenya]] word ''osse'' "terror" from [[PQ]] [[root]] [[GOS]].<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}</ref> In [[Sindarin]] his name was ''Gaerys''.<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''gaer''</ref>
At least two explanations exist for the name ''Ossë''. In ''[[The Etymologies]]'', it is understood as the [[Qenya]] word ''osse'' ("terror"), deriving from the [[Sundocarme|root]] [[GOS]] ("dread").<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 359</ref> A later note pertaining to the name instead suggests it is a name of non-Elvish origin, deriving from [[Valarin]] ''Oš(o)šai'' ("spuming, foaming").<ref name=WJ>{{WJ|AD1}}, p. 400</ref> The same later note mentions that Ossë's [[Sindarin]] names were '''''Yssion''''' and '''''Gaerys'''''.<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''gaer''</ref><ref name=WJ/>


In [[Eriol]]'s [[Old English]] translations, Osse is referred as ''Saefrea'' "Sea-ruler".<ref>{{SM|QA1}}</ref> However, this reflects his status as a Vala (Fréa) in the earlier [[Legendarium]].
In [[Eriol]]'s [[Old English]] translations, Osse is referred to as ''Saefrea'' "Sea-ruler".<ref>{{SM|QA1}}</ref> However, this reflects his status as a Vala (Fréa) in the earlier [[Legendarium]].


==Other versions==
==Other versions==

Revision as of 18:35, 17 February 2013

Ossë
Maia
Kent Burles - Ossë.png
Biographical Information
Other namesYssion, Gaerys
DeathImmortal
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Ossë

Ossë (Q, pron. [ˈosːe]) was a Maia of the Sea associated with Ulmo. He guarded the waters around Middle-earth and islands, and did not go into the deep places of the Sea. Uinen was his spouse, and he was a friend of Círdan the Shipwright.

In the early days of Arda, Ossë turned to Melkor for a time, but Uinen brought him back to the loyalty of the Ulmo. However, Ossë's wild and wilful nature was still evident; he delighted in and enjoyed making dangerous Sea storms.

Ossë was a friend of the Sindar, a kindred of Elves who lived by the shores of the Sea in Beleriand, and was respected as much as the Valar by them.

After the Valar pronounced the Doom of the Noldor, Ossë helped guard the shores of Beleriand to keep the ships of the Noldor from reaching Valinor. His storms had a part in wrecking all the ships that they sent, and only one Elf from among their crews survived, by the will of Ulmo: Voronwë. During the Second Age he rose the island of Elenna (Numenor) from the depths of the Sea.

Etymology

At least two explanations exist for the name Ossë. In The Etymologies, it is understood as the Qenya word osse ("terror"), deriving from the root GOS ("dread").[1] A later note pertaining to the name instead suggests it is a name of non-Elvish origin, deriving from Valarin Oš(o)šai ("spuming, foaming").[2] The same later note mentions that Ossë's Sindarin names were Yssion and Gaerys.[3][2]

In Eriol's Old English translations, Osse is referred to as Saefrea "Sea-ruler".[4] However, this reflects his status as a Vala (Fréa) in the earlier Legendarium.

Other versions

In older versions of The Silmarillion as well as the Annals of Aman, Ossë (along with his spouse Uinen)were Valar in their own right, and often opposed the will of Ulmo.

Osse was also the name of a Tengwa similar to Roman c, which apparently had the value o.[5] However elsewhere, this letter is named Elwe and has the value of e. In the Mode of Beleriand this letter instead has the value a.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 359
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", p. 400
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", gaer
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: Appendix 1: Fragments of a translation of The Quenta Noldorinwa into Old English, made by Ælfwine or Eriol; together with Old English equivalents of Elvish names"
  5. Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003 p.15
Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar