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Wilwarin

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Wilwarin was one of the constellations of Arda.

Contents

Creation

Wilwarin was created by the Vala Varda. It was set in the heavens of Arda to welcome and give light to the Elves, who had just awoken in Cuiviénen[1].

Other versions of the legendarium

In early versions of Tolkien's notes, the name of the constellation is "Vilvarin".[1]

Etymology

Wilwarin means "butterfly" in Quenya[2].

Wilwarin in the real world

J.R.R. Tolkien gave no description of the constellation, nor any counterpart in our modern-day constellations, but Christopher Tolkien suggested that it could be the commonly-known constellation Cassiopeia[2]. Cassiopeia is a plausible candidate for being Wilwarin as its "W"-shape is a reasonable match to that of a butterfly.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Silmarillion, Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
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