Eldamar

From Tolkien Gateway
Light of Valinor by Ted Nasmith

Eldamar, or Elendë, was the land of the Elves in Aman, which encompassed the Calacirian, the coastal area east of the Pelóri, and Tol Eressëa. The main settlements of the Elves in this region were Tirion, Alqualondë, and Avallónë.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Eldamar means "Elvenhome" in Quenya,[2] composed of elda ("High-elf") and már ("home").

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

An early name for the region was Eglamar, having the same meaning as Eldamar (Egla being the Gnomish form of the later Elda).[3]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

The name is a direct translation of the mythological Elfhame (lit. "Elf-home") meaning "Elfland, Faery".

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 20
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Two. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beleriand its Realms (Chapter 11)", p. 189