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[[Image:Peter Jackson's Simbelmynë.jpg|thumb|Simbelmynë from [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]]]
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Simbelmynë.jpg|thumb|Simbelmynë in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'']]
'''Simbelmynë''' was a small white flower that grew in particular abundance on graves and tombs, like the [[Barrowfield]] of the [[Kings of Rohan]] beneath the walls of [[Edoras]]<ref>{{TT|III6}}</ref>; and most thickly on the grave of [[Helm Hammerhand]].<ref>{{App|A2}}</ref>  It was referred to as ''[[uilos]]'' when Tuor saw these flowers in the great ravine between the Fourth Gate, the [[Gate of Writhen Iron]], and the Fifth Gate that was made of white marble, when he was making his way to [[Gondolin]].<ref>{{UT|Tuor}}</ref>  Another Elven name for this flower was ''[[alfirin]]'', which grew on the low mound that was the tomb of [[Elendil]] upon the summit of [[Amon Anwar]].<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>
'''Simbelmynë''' was a small white flower that grew in particular abundance on graves and tombs, like the [[Barrowfield]] of the [[Kings of Rohan]] beneath the walls of [[Edoras]]<ref name=TTIII6>{{TT|III6}}</ref>; and most thickly on the grave of [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]].<ref>{{App|A2}}</ref>  It was referred to as '''''[[uilos]]''''' when Tuor saw these flowers in the great ravine between the Fourth Gate, the [[Gate of Writhen Iron]], and the Fifth Gate that was made of white marble, when he was making his way to [[Gondolin]].<ref>{{UT|Tuor}}</ref>  Another Elven name for this flower was '''''[[alfirin]]''''', which grew on the low mound that was the tomb of [[Elendil]] upon the summit of [[Amon Anwar]].<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>


It grew in turf but small and white like the wood anemone. Though the plant bloomed at all seasons, its flowers were not 'immortelles'.<ref name="N">{{HM|N}}, p. 780</ref>  
It grew in turf but small and white like the wood anemone. Though the plant bloomed at all seasons, its flowers were not 'immortelles'.<ref name="N">{{HM|N}}, p. 780</ref>  
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Simbelmynë was the name of the flower in [[Rohan]], meaning "[[Evermind]]", a reference to the memories of the dead on whose tombs the flower grew. The name thus resembles 'forget-me-not', but a quite different kind of flower is intended. The [[Elves]] called them '''Uilos''' and '''Alfirin'''.
''Simbelmynë'' was the name of the flower in [[Rohan]], meaning "[[Evermind]]",<ref name=TTIII6/> a reference to the memories of the dead on whose tombs the flower grew. The name thus resembles 'forget-me-not', but a quite different kind of flower is intended. The [[Elves]] called them ''uilos'' and ''alfirin''.
 
The spelling does not appear to be completely fixed. Within ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', and in most other sources, its name is spelt ''simbelmynë''. However, there is at least one recorded instance where Tolkien prefers ''symbelmynë''.<ref>{{L|93}}</ref> These variations do not affect the meaning of its name.
 
It has been suggested that Tolkien derived ''simbelmynë'' from the [[Old English]] words ''simbel'' ("ever") and ''myne'' ("mind").<ref>John Tinkler, "Old English in Rohan," in ''[[Tolkien and the Critics]]'', ed. N.D. Isaacs and R.A. Zimbardo (1968), p. 168</ref>


The spelling does not appear to be completely fixed. Within ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', and in most other sources, its name is spelt simbelmynë. However, there is at least one recorded instance where Tolkien prefers ''symbelmynë''.<ref>{{L|93}}</ref> These variations do not affect the meaning of its name.
==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==
Tolkien mentioned that Simbelmyne is an imagined variety of anemone. In appearance, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] compares Simbelmynë to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemone_nemorosa European anemone], a small white flower growing among the grass or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsatilla_vulgata Anemona pulsatilla], the "pasque flower"<ref name="N"/>.
Tolkien mentioned that Simbelmyne is an imagined variety of anemone. In appearance, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] compares Simbelmynë to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemone_nemorosa European anemone], a small white flower growing among the grass or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsatilla_vulgata Anemona pulsatilla], the "pasque flower"<ref name="N"/>.

Revision as of 15:02, 18 October 2012

Simbelmynë was a small white flower that grew in particular abundance on graves and tombs, like the Barrowfield of the Kings of Rohan beneath the walls of Edoras[1]; and most thickly on the grave of Helm Hammerhand.[2] It was referred to as uilos when Tuor saw these flowers in the great ravine between the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Writhen Iron, and the Fifth Gate that was made of white marble, when he was making his way to Gondolin.[3] Another Elven name for this flower was alfirin, which grew on the low mound that was the tomb of Elendil upon the summit of Amon Anwar.[4]

It grew in turf but small and white like the wood anemone. Though the plant bloomed at all seasons, its flowers were not 'immortelles'.[5]

Etymology

Simbelmynë was the name of the flower in Rohan, meaning "Evermind",[1] a reference to the memories of the dead on whose tombs the flower grew. The name thus resembles 'forget-me-not', but a quite different kind of flower is intended. The Elves called them uilos and alfirin.

The spelling does not appear to be completely fixed. Within The Lord of the Rings, and in most other sources, its name is spelt simbelmynë. However, there is at least one recorded instance where Tolkien prefers symbelmynë.[6] These variations do not affect the meaning of its name.

It has been suggested that Tolkien derived simbelmynë from the Old English words simbel ("ever") and myne ("mind").[7]

Inspiration

Tolkien mentioned that Simbelmyne is an imagined variety of anemone. In appearance, Tolkien compares Simbelmynë to the European anemone, a small white flower growing among the grass or Anemona pulsatilla, the "pasque flower"[5].

References