Vairë

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This article is about the Valië. For the wife of Lindo, see Vairë.
Vairë
Vala
Alice Falto - Vaire.jpg
"Vaire" by Alice Falto
Biographical Information
Other namesGwîr
PositionWeaver of Time
LocationHalls of Mandos
Family
SpouseNámo
Physical Description
GenderFemale
GalleryImages of Vairë
"Vairë the Weaver is his spouse, who weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs, and the halls of Mandos that ever widen as the ages pass are clothed with them."
The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Valar"

Vairë the Weaver (Q, pron. [ˈvaɪre]) was a Valië and the wife of Mandos.

The Valie was responsible for weaving the story of the World, with which the Halls of Mandos are clothed, and ever widen.[1]

After the death of Finwë, Míriel returned to life and entered the service of Vairë, recording all the deeds of the House of Finwë.[2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The Quenya name Vairë means "Weaver",[3] or "Ever-weaving", derived from the root WIR.[4]

In the Etymologies, Quenya Vaire ("Weaver") is a descendant form of Primitive Quendian weirē, deriving from root WEY ("wind, weave").[5]

Her Noldorin name is said to be Gwîr ("Weaver").[5] An early, Gnomish version of her name was Gwairil.[6]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VAIRË
 
Mandos
 
Nienna
 
Irmo
 
Estë
 
 
 


Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

A different Vairë appeared in some of Tolkien's earliest writings. In The Book of Lost Tales Part One, she was an Elf of Tol Eressëa, and the daughter of Tulkastor. She and her husband Lindo tell the stories that would become the Silmarillion to the human mariner Ælfwine/Eriol. Her role as storyteller may have influenced the naming of the Vala responsible for recording stories.[7]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Valar"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: The Earliest Version of the Story of Finwë and Míriel", p. 207
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, "From Quendi and Eldar, Appendix D" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 39, July 1998, pp. 10, 14 (form: Vaire)
  5. 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 398
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Sí Qente Feanor and Other Elvish Writings", in Parma Eldalamberon XV (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), pp. 6, 7, 9
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "I. The Cottage of Lost Play", p. 16
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