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'''Valacirca''' ([[Quenya|Q.]] "''[[Sickle of the Valar]]''") was one of the [[constellations]] set in the heavens by [[Varda]] to enlighten the awakening of the Elves and gathered by Varda from among the ancient stars.<ref>{{S|3}}</ref>
'''Valacirca''' ([[Quenya|Q.]] "''[[Sickle of the Valar]]''") was one of the [[constellations]] set in the heavens by [[Varda]] to enlighten the awakening of the Elves and gathered by Varda from among the ancient stars.<ref>{{S|3}}</ref>


Valacirca is by far the most important constellation in the heavens of Arda. It is also the first to appear in the mythology that [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] begun to develop in the [[1910]]s<ref>{{HM|LT1}}, passim.</ref>.
Valacirca is by far the most important constellation in the heavens of Arda. It is also the first to appear in the mythology that [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] begun to develop in the [[1910]]s.<ref>{{HM|LT1}}, passim.</ref>


==Other names==
==Other names==
In [[Sindarin]], the name was translated as '''Cerch i-Mbelain'''. The names ''[[Otselen]]'' and ''[[Edegil]]'' were also used in reference to the seven stars of the constellation. [[Hobbits]] called it the ''Burning Briar''. The constellation is also known as ''the Plough'', a name used in British English to refer to the seven brightest stars in ''Ursa Major''<ref>{{WP|Ursa Major}}</ref>, known in US English as ''Big Dipper''.  
In [[Sindarin]], the name was translated as '''Cerch i-Mbelain'''. The names ''[[Otselen]]'' and ''[[Edegil]]'' were also used in reference to the seven stars of the constellation. [[Hobbits]] called it the ''Burning Briar''. The constellation is also known as ''the Plough'', a name used in British English to refer to the seven brightest stars in ''Ursa Major'',<ref>{{WP|Ursa Major}}</ref> known in US English as ''Big Dipper''.  
It is unclear whether the Dwarvish constellation ''[[Durin's Crown]]'', seen in the reflection of [[Mirrormere]], is the ''Valacirca''.  
It is unclear whether the Dwarvish constellation ''[[Durin's Crown]]'', seen in the reflection of [[Mirrormere]], is the ''Valacirca''.  
{{cosmology}}
{{cosmology}}

Revision as of 10:14, 27 September 2010

Valacirca (Q. "Sickle of the Valar") was one of the constellations set in the heavens by Varda to enlighten the awakening of the Elves and gathered by Varda from among the ancient stars.[1]

Valacirca is by far the most important constellation in the heavens of Arda. It is also the first to appear in the mythology that J.R.R. Tolkien begun to develop in the 1910s.[2]

Other names

In Sindarin, the name was translated as Cerch i-Mbelain. The names Otselen and Edegil were also used in reference to the seven stars of the constellation. Hobbits called it the Burning Briar. The constellation is also known as the Plough, a name used in British English to refer to the seven brightest stars in Ursa Major,[3] known in US English as Big Dipper. It is unclear whether the Dwarvish constellation Durin's Crown, seen in the reflection of Mirrormere, is the Valacirca.

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

References