Vaiya: Difference between revisions

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'''Vaiya''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈvaɪja]}}), or '''Vaia''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈvaɪ.a]}}) or '''Waia''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈwaɪ.a]}}), also called '''[[Ekkaia]]''', '''Eccaia''' or the '''Encircling Sea''', is the dark sea that surrounds the world of [[Arda]] before the cataclysm at the end of the [[Second Age]]. Vaiya flows completely around the world, forming a sea below it and a form of air above it. Arda is described as floating on Vaiya, like a ship on a sea.
'''Vaiya''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈvaɪja]}}), or '''Vaia''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈvaɪ.a]}}) or '''Waia''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈwaɪ.a]}}) is the dark sea that surrounds the world of [[Arda]] before the cataclysm at the end of the [[Second Age]]. Outside, Vaiya end with the [[Ilurambar]], the walls or the world, and outside is the [[Void]].<ref>{{SM|A1}}</ref>


[[Ulmo]] the Lord of Waters dwells in Vaiya, below the roots of Arda. Vaiya is described as extremely cold: where its waters meet the waters of [[Belegaer]] in the northwest of [[Middle-earth]] a chasm of ice is formed, the [[Helcaraxë]]. Vaiya cannot support any ships except the boats of Ulmo: the ships of the [[Númenóreans]] that tried to sail on it sank, drowning the sailors.
Vaiya flows completely around the world, forming a sea below it and a form of air above it. Arda is described as floating on Vaiya, like a ship on a sea. [[Ulmo]] the Lord of Waters dwells in Vaiya, below the roots of Ambar. The water of the Inner Seas are actually a compound of the substances of Vaiya, [[Ilmen]] and [[Ambar]].<ref name=fashion/>


The [[Sun]] passes through Vaiya on its way around the world, warming it as it passes. The next layer of "air", inside Vaiya, is [[Ilmen]], and the last layer, closest to the surface, is [[Vista]].<ref>{{SM|5b}}</ref> Outside, Vaiya end with the [[Ilurambar]], the walls or the world, and outside is the [[Void]].<ref>{{SM|A1}}</ref>
Vaiya is narrow at the West and East of the world, and deepest in the North and South. Vaiya is described as extremely cold: where the interior seas fell down the [[Chasm of Ilmen]], their waterfalls made bridges of ice which close the chasm. The ice extended to all Vaiya and even the Ilurambar.<ref name=fashion>{{SM|5b}}</ref> The [[Sun]] passes through Vaiya on its way around the world, warming it as it passes.
 
It cannot support any ships except the boats of Ulmo: the ships of the [[Númenóreans]] that tried to sail on it sank, drowning the sailors.


After Arda was [[Changing of the World|made round]], Vaiya became the upper atmosphere of the spherical world.<ref>{{SM|A3}}</ref>
After Arda was [[Changing of the World|made round]], Vaiya became the upper atmosphere of the spherical world.<ref>{{SM|A3}}</ref>
The next layer of "air", inside Vaiya, is [[Ilmen]], and the last layer, closest to the surface, is [[Vista]].<ref name=fashion/>
==Other versions of the Legendarium==
==Other versions of the Legendarium==
In the early schematic titled ''[[I Vene Kemen]]'', the highest layer of airs was marked as ''Vilna'' ([[Qenya]]).  
In the early schematic titled ''[[I Vene Kemen]]'', the highest layer of airs was marked as ''Vilna'' ([[Qenya]]).  
In the published [[Silmarillion]], the "Outer Sea" is called [[Ekkaia]], which is more vaguely described. Unlike Vaiya, Ekkaia is described only as a Sea around Arda, without its function as an outer layer of air above and below the World.
[[Christopher Tolkien]] notes that in the [[Ambarkanta]], as well as an earlier unfinished version of the Silmarillion (c. 1937), there is a chasm (the Chasm of Ilmen) ''between'' the Earth and Vaiya, into which [[Tilion]] guides the Moon. However for the published [[Silmarillion]], he preferred a later passage where [[Tilion]] plunges into a Chasm which is ''beyond'' the Outer Sea.<ref>{{SM|5e}}</ref>
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{{references}}
{{cosmology}}
{{cosmology}}

Revision as of 08:43, 28 September 2014

Vaiya (Q, pron. [ˈvaɪja]), or Vaia (pron. [ˈvaɪ.a]) or Waia (pron. [ˈwaɪ.a]) is the dark sea that surrounds the world of Arda before the cataclysm at the end of the Second Age. Outside, Vaiya end with the Ilurambar, the walls or the world, and outside is the Void.[1]

Vaiya flows completely around the world, forming a sea below it and a form of air above it. Arda is described as floating on Vaiya, like a ship on a sea. Ulmo the Lord of Waters dwells in Vaiya, below the roots of Ambar. The water of the Inner Seas are actually a compound of the substances of Vaiya, Ilmen and Ambar.[2]

Vaiya is narrow at the West and East of the world, and deepest in the North and South. Vaiya is described as extremely cold: where the interior seas fell down the Chasm of Ilmen, their waterfalls made bridges of ice which close the chasm. The ice extended to all Vaiya and even the Ilurambar.[2] The Sun passes through Vaiya on its way around the world, warming it as it passes.

It cannot support any ships except the boats of Ulmo: the ships of the Númenóreans that tried to sail on it sank, drowning the sailors.

After Arda was made round, Vaiya became the upper atmosphere of the spherical world.[3]

The next layer of "air", inside Vaiya, is Ilmen, and the last layer, closest to the surface, is Vista.[2]

Other versions of the Legendarium

In the early schematic titled I Vene Kemen, the highest layer of airs was marked as Vilna (Qenya).

In the published Silmarillion, the "Outer Sea" is called Ekkaia, which is more vaguely described. Unlike Vaiya, Ekkaia is described only as a Sea around Arda, without its function as an outer layer of air above and below the World.

Christopher Tolkien notes that in the Ambarkanta, as well as an earlier unfinished version of the Silmarillion (c. 1937), there is a chasm (the Chasm of Ilmen) between the Earth and Vaiya, into which Tilion guides the Moon. However for the published Silmarillion, he preferred a later passage where Tilion plunges into a Chasm which is beyond the Outer Sea.[4]

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