White cow
From Tolkien Gateway
This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name. |
A white cow belonged to the Fairies dwelling in Artanor, according to a poem J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in English with Angloquenya alphabet. Although nothing else is known about this creature, possibly the cow itself was a Faërie creature.[1]
Once upon a time long ago in a far distant
country where no foot of mortal has ever even
unto this day set foot, there lived a white cow
and it belonged to the fairies and the fairies dwelt
?alone in that land of mystery and of sorrow.
—Transcription adapted to normal English
Inspiration[edit | edit source]
As noted by Arden R. Smith, "nothing about a white cow in Artanor or Doriath appears elsewhere in the published legendarium, but white cows as denizens of the fairy world are a common motif in Celtic mythology."[1][2]
See also[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Tengwesta Qenderinwa and Pre-Fëanorian Alphabets Part 2", in Parma Eldalamberon XVIII (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), p. 142
- ↑ For more on white cows as fairy creatures, cf. James MacKillop, Oxford Dictionary of Celic Mythology, p. 108
Legendary races of Arda | |
Animals: | Dumbledors · Gorcrows · Hummerhorns · Pards · Swans of Gorbelgod · Turtle-fish |
---|---|
Dragon-kind: | Sea-serpents · Spark-dragons · Were-worms |
Evil Races: | Ettens · Giants · Half-trolls · Hobgoblins · Ogres · Snow-trolls · Two-headed Trolls |
Other: | Badger-folk · Great beasts · Lintips · Mewlips · Nameless things · Spectres |
Individuals: | Talking Gurthang · Talking purse · The Hunter · Lady of the Sun · Lonely Troll · Man in the Moon · The Rider · River-woman · Tarlang · Tim · Tom · White cow |