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'''Yule''' was the two days in the calendars of the [[Hobbits]] that marked the end of one year and the beginning of the next.<ref name="Shire">{{App|Shire}}</ref><ref group=note>On a modern calendar, they fell on the 21 and 22 December.</ref> Around them, the six-day festival of [[Yuledays|Yuletide]] was held, running from [[29 December|29]] [[Foreyule]] through [[2 January|2]] [[Afteryule]].<ref>{{App|Calendars}}</ref> | |||
Due to a peculiarity of the [[Shire Calendar]], the Yuledays always fell on the same days of the week. The last day of the year, 1 Yule, was always a [[Highday]] (Friday), while the first day of the following year, 2 Yule, was always a [[Sterday]] (Saturday). | Due to a peculiarity of the [[Shire Calendar]], the Yuledays always fell on the same days of the week. The last day of the year, [[1 Yule]], was always a [[Highday]] (Friday), while the first day of the following year, [[2 Yule]], was always a [[Sterday]] (Saturday).<ref name="Shire"/> | ||
The formal use of Yule in the Shire calendar cannot, by definition, predate the foundation of the Shire in | The formal use of Yule in the Shire calendar cannot, by definition, predate the foundation of [[the Shire]] in {{TA|1601}}. However, its appearance there represents a survival of an older tradition, and the name 'Yule' for a midwinter festival was known as far from the Shire as [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]]. | ||
==Etymology== | |||
{{quote|Very best wishes for Yule - J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien to [[Richard Jeffery]]<ref>{{L|347}}</ref>}} | |||
Yule is a translation of a [[Hobbitish]] word, not occurring in [[Westron]].<ref name="Nomen"/> | |||
However it's possible that it derives from a form of [[Northern Mannish]] and later used in [[Rohirric]]. Since [[Gondorians]] of the [[Third Age]] were in part [[Northmen]], the word was recognisable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 781</ref> | |||
In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "Yule(night), i.e. Log-night" is ''durufui''. ''Tanfui'' means "Yule night".<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 31, 69</ref> | |||
{{references|note}} | |||
[[Category:Hobbit Calendar]] | [[Category:Hobbit Calendar]] | ||
Revision as of 11:36, 21 February 2017
Yule was the two days in the calendars of the Hobbits that marked the end of one year and the beginning of the next.[1][note 1] Around them, the six-day festival of Yuletide was held, running from 29 Foreyule through 2 Afteryule.[2]
Due to a peculiarity of the Shire Calendar, the Yuledays always fell on the same days of the week. The last day of the year, 1 Yule, was always a Highday (Friday), while the first day of the following year, 2 Yule, was always a Sterday (Saturday).[1]
The formal use of Yule in the Shire calendar cannot, by definition, predate the foundation of the Shire in T.A. 1601. However, its appearance there represents a survival of an older tradition, and the name 'Yule' for a midwinter festival was known as far from the Shire as Rohan and Gondor.
Etymology
- "Very best wishes for Yule - J. R. R. Tolkien"
- ― Tolkien to Richard Jeffery[3]
Yule is a translation of a Hobbitish word, not occurring in Westron.[4]
However it's possible that it derives from a form of Northern Mannish and later used in Rohirric. Since Gondorians of the Third Age were in part Northmen, the word was recognisable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.[4]
In Gnomish, one of Tolkien's early conceptions of an Elven language, the word for "Yule(night), i.e. Log-night" is durufui. Tanfui means "Yule night".[5]
Notes
- ↑ On a modern calendar, they fell on the 21 and 22 December.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix D, "The Shire Calendar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix D, "The Calendars"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 347, (dated 17 December 1972)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 781
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), pp. 31, 69
