Varda

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Revision as of 16:26, 5 January 2009 by 70.26.251.8 (talk)
Varda
Vala
Mikel Janin - Varda.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesSee Names.
Family
SpouseManwë.
Physical Description
GenderFemale.
GalleryImages of Varda
"O stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown,
In Windy fields now bright and clear
We see your silver blossom blown!
"
― Hymn to Elbereth, Three is Company.

Varda Elentári was a Valië, wife of Manwë, and Queen of the Valar.

History

When Melkor first began to create his discord, Varda saw his mind, and hated him. Melkor feared and hated Varda the most out of the Valar.

Varda was said to be too beautiful for words. Within her face radiated the light of Ilúvatar. She resided with Manwë in Valinor. Varda created the stars with the dews from the vats of Telperion, the silver of the Two Trees. Varda is said to be the Vala most loved and revered by the Elves in Middle-earth, she is also believed to be the most beautiful.

Inspiration

The Valar, being divine beings below a greater, more ultimate Creator, Ilúvatar, are thought of as being the Middle-earth equivalent of saints and angels; it has therefore been suggested that Varda, in her role as the most loved and prayed-to Vala, may be an equivalent of the Virgin Mary in Tolkien's own Catholic faith.

Varda with Manwë in Valinor, by Ted Nasmith.

Names

Varda means sublime or lofty in Quenya, and Elentári means Star-queen. An epithet of her is Tintalle which means Star-kindler.

In Sindarin she is also known as Elbereth (Star-queen), Gilthoniel (Starkindler), Fanuilos (Ever-white), and some older forms are known as well: Baráda and Bridhil. In Telerin she is called Baradis. In Adûnaic, her name was adapted rather than translated; it became Avradî. Her epithet was translated, into Gimilnitîr "starkindler".

She is also referred to by the epithets The Kindler, Lady of the Stars, Queen of the Stars, Snow-white. They are translations of her Elvish names.

In NetHack and some other Roguelike games, the name Elbereth is used as a protective charm. [1]

See Also

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