Nimphelos

From Tolkien Gateway
Thingol and Melian with Nimphelos. Art by Kimberly

Nimphelos was a huge pearl said to have been the size of a dove's egg (that is, an inch or more in diameter) that was found along the shores of the Isle of Balar by the Falathrim. Círdan gave it, along with many lesser pearls, to his friend and ally Thingol. When Thingol called on the Dwarves of Belegost to aid in the building of Menegroth, Nimphelos was among the rewards he gave them, and the Lord of Belegost was said to have prized the pearl over a mountain of wealth.[1][2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name is Sindarin and contains the element nim- ("white").[3]

In a linguistic writing, nimphelos is said to be a plant name (mentioned along with niphredil).[4]

See also: loss

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part One. The Grey Annals", pp. 11, 108 (§22)
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entry nim
  4. 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. 168