Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Elven characteristics

2013-07-17T22:18:42Z

209.212.80.98: /* Eye colour */

[[File:Piotr Fox Wysocki - Last Elf.jpg|thumb|''Last Elf'' by Piotr Wysocki]]
The [[Elves]] were the fairest creatures in [[Arda]], a far more beautiful race than [[Men]], and generally tall (about six feet). Among them, [[Calaquendi|those]] who had gone to [[Valinor]] were the fairest and had the greatest skill of body.

Elves had keener senses, sight and hearing than Men, were slender, graceful yet strong, but were resistant to extremes of nature, illness and disease. However many [[Noldor]] died at the crossings of [[Helcaraxe]].

Practical considerations, including a number of occasions where Men were mistaken for Elves (most notably [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]), suggest that the points of difference between Elves and Men, must have been subtle.

== Pointed ears ==
Whether Elvish ears were pointed or not is open for speculation,<ref name=Dunkerson>{{webcite|author=Conrad Dunkerson|articleurl=http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/Ears.html|articlename=Do the Elves in Tolkien's stories have pointed ears?|dated=|website=[http://tolkien.slimy.com/ The Tolkien Meta-FAQ]|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref><ref name=Martinez>{{webcite|author=[[Michael Martinez]]|articleurl=http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2011/09/21/do-tolkiens-elves-have-pointy-ears/|articlename=Do Tolkien’s Elves Have Pointy Ears?|dated=21 September 2011|website=[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/ Middle.earth.Xenite.org]|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> but it should be noted that there are no explicit references to pointed Elvish ears in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' or ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.

It was stated in early linguistic writings that "the [[Quendi|Quendian]] ears were more pointed and leaf-shaped than [[Men|Human]]."<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 368 (roots LAS1 and LAS2)</ref><ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 26</ref> Answering to a question on [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] ears, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] wrote that these were "only slightly pointed and 'elvish'".<ref>{{L|27}}</ref> Some fans take this to mean that Elvish ears were pointed, while others argue that it is an ambiguous statement.<ref name=Dunkerson/><ref name=Martinez/>

== Hair colour ==
Elven hair colour is quite varied and complex. In general, the [[Vanyar]] were golden-haired, and other Elves (including the [[Noldor]], [[Sindar]], and [[Avari]]) had dark (brown) or even black hair<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 118, 125</ref><ref group=note>[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes in one manuscript that "''no Elf had absolute black hair''" ({{PE|17}}, p. 125).</ref> [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]] and her remote descendant [[Arwen|Arwen Undómiel]], both described as the fairest of all Elves, were dark haired. Among the Teleri (of which the Sindar were an offshoot), there were instances of silver hair, such as [[Celeborn]].

This is not the full picture, however: [[Míriel Serindë]] of the Noldor, the first wife of [[Finwë]] and mother of [[Fëanor]], is described as having silvery hair.<ref>{{MR|P3I6}}</ref> Fëanor, the eldest Noldorin prince, is described as having a "raven-dark" hair.<ref>{{S|Feanor}}</ref> However, not all the sons of Fëanor were dark-haired: [[Maedhros]] and the twins [[Amrod]] and [[Amras]] had auburn hair, from their grandfather [[Mahtan]]. [[Celegorm]], one of the sons of Fëanor and [[Nerdanel]], had blond hair, thus his epithet ''the Fair'' in contrast to his brother, [[Caranthir]] ''the Dark''.[[Finarfin]], the youngest son of Finwë, and his descendants (such as [[Galadriel]]) had golden hair on account of Finwë's second wife, [[Indis]] of the Vanyar. Another Noldo with unusual hair colour was [[Glorfindel]], whose hair is described as of "shining gold" in colour. [[Idril]], the daughter of [[Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], also had golden hair, inherited from her mother [[Elenwë]] of the Vanyar.

Additionally, a silver hair colour existed in the royal houses of the Sindar, with [[Thingol]], [[Círdan]] and [[Celeborn]] all described as having silver hair.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}: Sindar</ref> [[Galadriel]] displayed an extremely rare hair colour nowhere else observed, a "silver-golden" hair, said to be dazzlingly beautiful ("blending the light of the [[Two Trees]], [[Telperion]] and [[Laurelin]]"). This may have been a result of her unusual mixed Noldorin-Vanyarin-Telerin heritage (her mother was the niece of [[Thingol]], and her father was a son of [[Finwë]] and [[Indis]]). [[Thranduil]], father of [[Legolas]] and a Sindarin Elf, is described as having "golden" hair in ''The Hobbit'',<ref>{{H|8}}</ref> but his son Legolas' own hair colour is not recorded. The golden hair colour is sometimes implied among the other Elves as well: [[Amroth]], a Sindarin Elf of Lórien is one such case, whose hair is described as "bright" and shining like a spark of gold in the sun.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref> In ''The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring'', a very similar reference is made for an [[Galadhrim|Elf of Lothórien]] with a hair "glinted like gold" in the sun.<ref>{{FR|Lorien}}</ref> However, these descriptions can be interpreted differently.

==Eye colour==
When Tolkien describes Elven eyes, they tend to be grey. This is certainly true of Lúthien (along with her descendants: [[Elrond]], Arwen and her brothers, as well as [[Aragorn]] and the Dúnedain). [[Voronwë]], who guided the man [[Tuor]] to Gondolin, also had grey eyes.

Though he was half-Noldorin, [[Maeglin]] is said to have dark eyes (possibly from his father [[Eöl]], who was not of the Noldor), while [[Olwë]] (the brother of Lúthien's father [[Thingol]], and a Telerin king) had blue eyes. The eye colour of most other Elves is not mentioned, and so would be difficult to generalize.

==Other characteristics==
The Elves were like [[Ainur]] in spirit; they loved all beauty of nature, especially water, the [[Sea]] and the [[stars]], since they were the first things they saw; as a consequence [[Ulmo]] and [[Varda]] were the [[Ainur]] closer to them. They were marked for an insatiable curiosity and desire of learning and creating.

They detested all evil and usually were incorruptible to it, unless evil tricked them with fair form, like [[Annatar]]. Conversely, their work harmed evil, like [[lembas]] and the [[Elven rope]] that brought pain to [[Gollum]]'s skin.

The Eldar could manipulate '''''[[sanwe-latya]]''''' ([[Quenya]] for "thought-opening" or "telepathy") which allowed them to communicate with thought ([[Ósanwe]]).

Elves apparently did not sleep but rested their minds with beautiful thoughts in reverie or looking at fair things.

Also, unlike Men, Elves were ambidextrous.<ref>{{VT|49a}}</ref>

{{References|n}}

[[Category:Elves]]

Elven characteristics

2013-07-17T22:09:18Z

209.212.80.98: /* Hair colour */

[[File:Piotr Fox Wysocki - Last Elf.jpg|thumb|''Last Elf'' by Piotr Wysocki]]
The [[Elves]] were the fairest creatures in [[Arda]], a far more beautiful race than [[Men]], and generally tall (about six feet). Among them, [[Calaquendi|those]] who had gone to [[Valinor]] were the fairest and had the greatest skill of body.

Elves had keener senses, sight and hearing than Men, were slender, graceful yet strong, but were resistant to extremes of nature, illness and disease. However many [[Noldor]] died at the crossings of [[Helcaraxe]].

Practical considerations, including a number of occasions where Men were mistaken for Elves (most notably [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]), suggest that the points of difference between Elves and Men, must have been subtle.

== Pointed ears ==
Whether Elvish ears were pointed or not is open for speculation,<ref name=Dunkerson>{{webcite|author=Conrad Dunkerson|articleurl=http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/Ears.html|articlename=Do the Elves in Tolkien's stories have pointed ears?|dated=|website=[http://tolkien.slimy.com/ The Tolkien Meta-FAQ]|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref><ref name=Martinez>{{webcite|author=[[Michael Martinez]]|articleurl=http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2011/09/21/do-tolkiens-elves-have-pointy-ears/|articlename=Do Tolkien’s Elves Have Pointy Ears?|dated=21 September 2011|website=[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/ Middle.earth.Xenite.org]|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> but it should be noted that there are no explicit references to pointed Elvish ears in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' or ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.

It was stated in early linguistic writings that "the [[Quendi|Quendian]] ears were more pointed and leaf-shaped than [[Men|Human]]."<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 368 (roots LAS1 and LAS2)</ref><ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 26</ref> Answering to a question on [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] ears, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] wrote that these were "only slightly pointed and 'elvish'".<ref>{{L|27}}</ref> Some fans take this to mean that Elvish ears were pointed, while others argue that it is an ambiguous statement.<ref name=Dunkerson/><ref name=Martinez/>

== Hair colour ==
Elven hair colour is quite varied and complex. In general, the [[Vanyar]] were golden-haired, and other Elves (including the [[Noldor]], [[Sindar]], and [[Avari]]) had dark (brown) or even black hair<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 118, 125</ref><ref group=note>[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes in one manuscript that "''no Elf had absolute black hair''" ({{PE|17}}, p. 125).</ref> [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]] and her remote descendant [[Arwen|Arwen Undómiel]], both described as the fairest of all Elves, were dark haired. Among the Teleri (of which the Sindar were an offshoot), there were instances of silver hair, such as [[Celeborn]].

This is not the full picture, however: [[Míriel Serindë]] of the Noldor, the first wife of [[Finwë]] and mother of [[Fëanor]], is described as having silvery hair.<ref>{{MR|P3I6}}</ref> Fëanor, the eldest Noldorin prince, is described as having a "raven-dark" hair.<ref>{{S|Feanor}}</ref> However, not all the sons of Fëanor were dark-haired: [[Maedhros]] and the twins [[Amrod]] and [[Amras]] had auburn hair, from their grandfather [[Mahtan]]. [[Celegorm]], one of the sons of Fëanor and [[Nerdanel]], had blond hair, thus his epithet ''the Fair'' in contrast to his brother, [[Caranthir]] ''the Dark''.[[Finarfin]], the youngest son of Finwë, and his descendants (such as [[Galadriel]]) had golden hair on account of Finwë's second wife, [[Indis]] of the Vanyar. Another Noldo with unusual hair colour was [[Glorfindel]], whose hair is described as of "shining gold" in colour. [[Idril]], the daughter of [[Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], also had golden hair, inherited from her mother [[Elenwë]] of the Vanyar.

Additionally, a silver hair colour existed in the royal houses of the Sindar, with [[Thingol]], [[Círdan]] and [[Celeborn]] all described as having silver hair.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}: Sindar</ref> [[Galadriel]] displayed an extremely rare hair colour nowhere else observed, a "silver-golden" hair, said to be dazzlingly beautiful ("blending the light of the [[Two Trees]], [[Telperion]] and [[Laurelin]]"). This may have been a result of her unusual mixed Noldorin-Vanyarin-Telerin heritage (her mother was the niece of [[Thingol]], and her father was a son of [[Finwë]] and [[Indis]]). [[Thranduil]], father of [[Legolas]] and a Sindarin Elf, is described as having "golden" hair in ''The Hobbit'',<ref>{{H|8}}</ref> but his son Legolas' own hair colour is not recorded. The golden hair colour is sometimes implied among the other Elves as well: [[Amroth]], a Sindarin Elf of Lórien is one such case, whose hair is described as "bright" and shining like a spark of gold in the sun.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref> In ''The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring'', a very similar reference is made for an [[Galadhrim|Elf of Lothórien]] with a hair "glinted like gold" in the sun.<ref>{{FR|Lorien}}</ref> However, these descriptions can be interpreted differently.

==Eye colour==
When Tolkien describes Elven eyes, they tend to be grey. This is certainly true of Lúthien (and her descendants: [[Elrond]], Arwen and her brothers, and [[Aragorn]] and the Dúnedain). [[Voronwë]], who guided the man [[Tuor]] to Gondolin, also had grey eyes.

Though he was half-Noldorin, [[Maeglin]] is said to have dark eyes (possibly from his father [[Eöl]], who was not of the Noldor), while [[Olwë]] (the brother of Lúthien's father [[Thingol]], and a Telerin king) had blue eyes. The eye colour of most other Elves is not mentioned, and so would be difficult to generalize.

==Other characteristics==
The Elves were like [[Ainur]] in spirit; they loved all beauty of nature, especially water, the [[Sea]] and the [[stars]], since they were the first things they saw; as a consequence [[Ulmo]] and [[Varda]] were the [[Ainur]] closer to them. They were marked for an insatiable curiosity and desire of learning and creating.

They detested all evil and usually were incorruptible to it, unless evil tricked them with fair form, like [[Annatar]]. Conversely, their work harmed evil, like [[lembas]] and the [[Elven rope]] that brought pain to [[Gollum]]'s skin.

The Eldar could manipulate '''''[[sanwe-latya]]''''' ([[Quenya]] for "thought-opening" or "telepathy") which allowed them to communicate with thought ([[Ósanwe]]).

Elves apparently did not sleep but rested their minds with beautiful thoughts in reverie or looking at fair things.

Also, unlike Men, Elves were ambidextrous.<ref>{{VT|49a}}</ref>

{{References|n}}

[[Category:Elves]]

Elven characteristics

2013-07-10T01:30:59Z

209.212.80.98: /* Hair colour */

[[File:Piotr Fox Wysocki - Last Elf.jpg|thumb|''Last Elf'' by Piotr Wysocki]]
The [[Elves]] were the fairest creatures in [[Arda]], a far more beautiful race than [[Men]], and generally tall (about six feet). Among them, [[Calaquendi|those]] who had gone to [[Valinor]] were the fairest and had the greatest skill of body.

Elves had keener senses, sight and hearing than Men, were slender, graceful yet strong, but were resistant to extremes of nature, illness and disease. However many [[Noldor]] died at the crossings of [[Helcaraxe]].

Practical considerations, including a number of occasions where Men were mistaken for Elves (most notably [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]), suggest that the points of difference between Elves and Men, must have been subtle.

== Pointed ears ==
Whether Elvish ears were pointed or not is open for speculation,<ref name=Dunkerson>{{webcite|author=Conrad Dunkerson|articleurl=http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/Ears.html|articlename=Do the Elves in Tolkien's stories have pointed ears?|dated=|website=[http://tolkien.slimy.com/ The Tolkien Meta-FAQ]|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref><ref name=Martinez>{{webcite|author=[[Michael Martinez]]|articleurl=http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2011/09/21/do-tolkiens-elves-have-pointy-ears/|articlename=Do Tolkien’s Elves Have Pointy Ears?|dated=21 September 2011|website=[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/ Middle.earth.Xenite.org]|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> but it should be noted that there are no explicit references to pointed Elvish ears in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' or ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.

It was stated in early linguistic writings that "the [[Quendi|Quendian]] ears were more pointed and leaf-shaped than [[Men|Human]]."<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 368 (roots LAS1 and LAS2)</ref><ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 26</ref> Answering to a question on [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] ears, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] wrote that these were "only slightly pointed and 'elvish'".<ref>{{L|27}}</ref> Some fans take this to mean that Elvish ears were pointed, while others argue that it is an ambiguous statement.<ref name=Dunkerson/><ref name=Martinez/>

== Hair colour ==
Elven hair colour is quite varied and complex. In general, the [[Vanyar]] were golden-haired, and other Elves (including the [[Noldor]], [[Sindar]], and [[Avari]]) had dark (brown) or even black hair,<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 118, 125</ref><ref group=note>[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes in one manuscript that "''no Elf had absolute black hair''" ({{PE|17}}, p. 125).</ref> although some of the Teleri, including [[Celeborn]], had silver hair. [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]] and her remote descendant [[Arwen|Arwen Undómiel]], both described as the fairest of all Elves, were dark haired.

This is not the full picture, however: [[Míriel Serindë]] of the Noldor, the first wife of [[Finwë]] and mother of [[Fëanor]], is described as having a silvery hair.<ref>{{MR|P3I6}}</ref> [[Finarfin]], the youngest son of Finwë, and his descendants (such as [[Galadriel]]) had golden hair on account of Finwë's second wife, [[Indis]] of the Vanyar. [[Idril]], the daughter of [[Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], had golden hair inherited from her mother, [[Elenwë]] of the Vanyar. Fëanor, the eldest Noldorin prince is described as having a "raven-dark" hair.<ref>{{S|Feanor}}</ref> However, not all the sons of Fëanor were dark-haired: [[Maedhros]] and the twins [[Amrod]] and [[Amras]] had auburn hair, from their grandfather [[Mahtan]]. [[Celegorm]], one of the sons of Fëanor and [[Nerdanel]], had blond hair, thus his epithet ''the Fair'' in contrast to his brother, [[Caranthir]] ''the Dark''. Another Noldo with unusual hair colour was [[Glorfindel]], whose hair is described as of "shining gold" in colour.

Additionally, a silver hair colour existed in the royal houses of the Sindar, with [[Thingol]], [[Círdan]] and [[Celeborn]] all described as having silver hair.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}: Sindar</ref> [[Galadriel]] displayed an extremely rare hair colour nowhere else observed: "silver-golden" hair, said to be dazzlingly beautiful ("blending the light of the [[Two Trees]], [[Telperion]] and [[Laurelin]]"). This may have been a result of her unusual mixed Noldorin-Vanyarin-Telerin heritage (her mother was the niece of [[Thingol]], and her father was a son of [[Finwë]] and [[Indis]]). [[Thranduil]], father of [[Legolas]] and a Sindarin Elf, is described as having blond ("golden") hair in ''The Hobbit'',<ref>{{H|8}}</ref> but his son Legolas' own hair colour is not recorded. The golden hair colour is sometimes implied among the other Elves: [[Amroth]], a Sindarin Elf of Lórien is one such case, whose hair is described as "bright" and shining like a spark of gold in the sun.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref> In ''The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring'', a very similar reference is made for an [[Galadhrim|Elf of Lothórien]] with a hair "glinted like gold" in the sun.<ref>{{FR|Lorien}}</ref> However, these descriptions can be interpreted differently.

==Eye colour==
When Tolkien describes Elven eyes, they tend to be grey. This is certainly true of Lúthien (and her descendants: [[Elrond]], Arwen and her brothers, and [[Aragorn]] and the Dúnedain). [[Voronwë]], who guided the man [[Tuor]] to Gondolin, also had grey eyes.

Though he was half-Noldorin, [[Maeglin]] is said to have dark eyes (possibly from his father [[Eöl]], who was not of the Noldor), while [[Olwë]] (the brother of Lúthien's father [[Thingol]], and a Telerin king) had blue eyes. The eye colour of most other Elves is not mentioned, and so would be difficult to generalize.

==Other characteristics==
The Elves were like [[Ainur]] in spirit; they loved all beauty of nature, especially water, the [[Sea]] and the [[stars]], since they were the first things they saw; as a consequence [[Ulmo]] and [[Varda]] were the [[Ainur]] closer to them. They were marked for an insatiable curiosity and desire of learning and creating.

They detested all evil and usually were incorruptible to it, unless evil tricked them with fair form, like [[Annatar]]. Conversely, their work harmed evil, like [[lembas]] and the [[Elven rope]] that brought pain to [[Gollum]]'s skin.

The Eldar could manipulate '''''[[sanwe-latya]]''''' ([[Quenya]] for "thought-opening" or "telepathy") which allowed them to communicate with thought ([[Ósanwe]]).

Elves apparently did not sleep but rested their minds with beautiful thoughts in reverie or looking at fair things.

Also, unlike Men, Elves were ambidextrous.<ref>{{VT|49a}}</ref>

{{References|n}}

[[Category:Elves]]

Elven characteristics

2013-07-10T01:18:29Z

209.212.80.98: /* Pointed ears */

[[File:Piotr Fox Wysocki - Last Elf.jpg|thumb|''Last Elf'' by Piotr Wysocki]]
The [[Elves]] were the fairest creatures in [[Arda]], a far more beautiful race than [[Men]], and generally tall (about six feet). Among them, [[Calaquendi|those]] who had gone to [[Valinor]] were the fairest and had the greatest skill of body.

Elves had keener senses, sight and hearing than Men, were slender, graceful yet strong, but were resistant to extremes of nature, illness and disease. However many [[Noldor]] died at the crossings of [[Helcaraxe]].

Practical considerations, including a number of occasions where Men were mistaken for Elves (most notably [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]), suggest that the points of difference between Elves and Men, must have been subtle.

== Pointed ears ==
Whether Elvish ears were pointed or not is open for speculation,<ref name=Dunkerson>{{webcite|author=Conrad Dunkerson|articleurl=http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/Ears.html|articlename=Do the Elves in Tolkien's stories have pointed ears?|dated=|website=[http://tolkien.slimy.com/ The Tolkien Meta-FAQ]|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref><ref name=Martinez>{{webcite|author=[[Michael Martinez]]|articleurl=http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2011/09/21/do-tolkiens-elves-have-pointy-ears/|articlename=Do Tolkien’s Elves Have Pointy Ears?|dated=21 September 2011|website=[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/ Middle.earth.Xenite.org]|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> but it should be noted that there are no explicit references to pointed Elvish ears in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' or ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.

It was stated in early linguistic writings that "the [[Quendi|Quendian]] ears were more pointed and leaf-shaped than [[Men|Human]]."<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 368 (roots LAS1 and LAS2)</ref><ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 26</ref> Answering to a question on [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] ears, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] wrote that these were "only slightly pointed and 'elvish'".<ref>{{L|27}}</ref> Some fans take this to mean that Elvish ears were pointed, while others argue that it is an ambiguous statement.<ref name=Dunkerson/><ref name=Martinez/>

== Hair colour ==
Elven hair colour is quite varied and complex. In general, the [[Vanyar]] were golden-haired, and the other Elves (including [[Noldor]], [[Sindar]], and [[Avari]]) had dark (brown) or even black hair,<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 118, 125</ref><ref group=note>[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes in one manuscript that "''no Elf had absolute black hair''" ({{PE|17}}, p. 125).</ref> although some of the Teleri (including [[Celeborn]]) had silver hair. [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]] and her remote descendant [[Arwen|Arwen Undómiel]], both described as the fairest of all Elves, were dark haired.

This is not the full picture, however: [[Míriel Serindë]], a Noldo and the first wife of [[Finwë]] and mother of [[Fëanor]] is described as having a silvery hair.<ref>{{MR|P3I6}}</ref> [[Finarfin]], the youngest son of Finwë, and his descendants (such as [[Galadriel]]) had golden hair on account of Finwë's second wife, [[Indis]] of the Vanyar. [[Idril]], the daughter of [[Turgon]], had golden hair inherited from her mother, [[Elenwë]] of the Vanyar.
Fëanor, the eldest Noldorin prince is described as having a "raven-dark" hair.<ref>{{S|Feanor}}</ref> But sons of Fëanor were not all dark-haired: [[Maedhros]] and the twins [[Amrod]] and [[Amras]] had auburn hair, from their grandfather [[Mahtan]]. [[Celegorm]], one of the sons of Fëanor and [[Nerdanel]], had blond hair, thus his epithet ''the Fair'' in contrast to his brother, [[Caranthir]] ''the Dark''. Another Noldo with unusual hair colour was [[Glorfindel]], whose hair is described as of "shining gold" in colour.

Additionally, a silver hair colour existed in the royal houses of the Sindar, with [[Thingol]], [[Círdan]] and [[Celeborn]] all described as having silver hair.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}: Sindar</ref> [[Galadriel]] displayed an extremely rare hair colour nowhere else observed: "silver-golden" hair, said to be dazzlingly beautiful ("blending the light of the [[Two Trees]], [[Telperion]] and [[Laurelin]]"), which may have been a result of her unusual mixed Noldorin-Vanyarin-Telerin heritage (her mother was the niece of [[Thingol]], and her father was a son of [[Finwë]] and [[Indis]]). [[Thranduil]], father of [[Legolas]] and a Sindarin Elf, is described as having blond ("golden") hair in ''The Hobbit'',<ref>{{H|8}}</ref> but his son Legolas' own hair colour is not recorded. The golden hair colour is sometimes implied among the other Elves. [[Amroth]], a Sindarin Elf of Lórien is one such case, whose hair is described as "bright" and shining like a spark of gold in the sun.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref> In ''The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring'', a very similar reference is made for an [[Galadhrim|Elf of Lothórien]] with a hair "glinted like gold" in the sun.<ref>{{FR|Lorien}}</ref> However, these descriptions can be interpreted differently.

==Eye colour==
When Tolkien describes Elven eyes, they tend to be grey. This is certainly true of Lúthien (and her descendants: [[Elrond]], Arwen and her brothers, and [[Aragorn]] and the Dúnedain). [[Voronwë]], who guided the man [[Tuor]] to Gondolin, also had grey eyes.

Though he was half-Noldorin, [[Maeglin]] is said to have dark eyes (possibly from his father [[Eöl]], who was not of the Noldor), while [[Olwë]] (the brother of Lúthien's father [[Thingol]], and a Telerin king) had blue eyes. The eye colour of most other Elves is not mentioned, and so would be difficult to generalize.

==Other characteristics==
The Elves were like [[Ainur]] in spirit; they loved all beauty of nature, especially water, the [[Sea]] and the [[stars]], since they were the first things they saw; as a consequence [[Ulmo]] and [[Varda]] were the [[Ainur]] closer to them. They were marked for an insatiable curiosity and desire of learning and creating.

They detested all evil and usually were incorruptible to it, unless evil tricked them with fair form, like [[Annatar]]. Conversely, their work harmed evil, like [[lembas]] and the [[Elven rope]] that brought pain to [[Gollum]]'s skin.

The Eldar could manipulate '''''[[sanwe-latya]]''''' ([[Quenya]] for "thought-opening" or "telepathy") which allowed them to communicate with thought ([[Ósanwe]]).

Elves apparently did not sleep but rested their minds with beautiful thoughts in reverie or looking at fair things.

Also, unlike Men, Elves were ambidextrous.<ref>{{VT|49a}}</ref>

{{References|n}}

[[Category:Elves]]

Christopher Lee

2009-06-15T02:26:28Z

209.212.80.98: /* Life */

{{actor
| image=[[Image:Christopher Lee.jpg]]
| name=Christopher Lee
| lifetime=[[May 27]], [[1922]]
| played=[[Saruman]]
| film=''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]''
| played2=
| film2=
| imdb=[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000489/ Profile]
|}}
'''Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee''' is an English actor, who portrayed [[Saruman]] in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'', and read the ''[[The Children of Húrin Audiobook]]''.

==Life==
Lee has a long history with [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s fiction; he read ''[[The Hobbit]]'' after leaving the Royal Air Force in [[1945]], and since ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' came out, he read all Tolkien's books once a year. Lee also had the experience of actually meeting Tolkien in person, making him the only individual involved in [[The Lord of the Rings]] film trilogy to do so. He always envisioned himself as being [[Gandalf]], so when he read that [[Peter Jackson]] would be adapting his bedside book, he immediately called his agent.

===Jackson===
Although he realised he was too old to play Gandalf, he read the part. He did not get it, but was called back as Saruman instead. He had never been in a movie with the actual Gandalf, [[Ian McKellen|Sir Ian McKellen]], but the two quickly became friends, being the oldest actors on the set (though Lee was some twenty years older).

Lee shot most of his scenes in [[Wellington]], in the main studio, but also shot one scene in Wellington's national park. He visited [[New Zealand]] four times, the longest time being ten weeks. He later did some post-synching in London.

While jetlagged, Lee broke his hand smashing it against a wall. Several shots of him in the finished films show him carefully hiding this bandaged left hand.

===Other projects===
Known for his booming voice, Christopher Lee has sung operas, and performed with the [[Tolkien Ensemble]] on their CDs ''[[At Dawn in Rivendell]]'' and ''[[Leaving Rivendell]]''. He sang the role of [[Treebeard]], as well as reciting numerous other poems.

Lee has recounted his life and his connections with Tolkien's work in the foreword to [[Chris Smith]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare]]'', and in chapter 74, titled "Spellbinder", of his autobiography, ''Lord of Misrule''.

Although Lee has expressed interest in reprising his role in [[Guillermo del Toro]]'s ''[[The hobbit (2011 film)|The Hobbit]]'' and its sequel, should Saruman be included in them,<ref>http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a97463/christopher-lee-keen-on-hobbit-role.html<ref> he seems to have pulled back on the offer. Due to his age, he would only participate in the projects if he could stay in London. He has expressed interest in voicing the dragon [[Smaug]]<ref>http://www.rushprint.no/index_blogg.asp?p=1182</ref>

==Roles==
* [[2007]] - ''[[The Children of Húrin Audiobook]]'' - Narrator
* [[2005]] - ''[[At Dawn in Rivendell]]'' - [[Treebeard]]
* 2004 - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'' - Saruman
* [[2003]] - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'' - Saruman (extended edition)
* 2003 - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)]]'' - Saruman (archive footage)
* 2003 - ''[[Beyond the Movie: The Return of the King]]'' - Himself
* 2003 - ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Origins of Middle-earth]]'' - Himself
* [[2002]] - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' - Saruman
* 2002 - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)]]'' - Saruman
* [[2001]] - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' - Saruman
* 2001 - ''[[Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' - Himself
* 2001 - ''[[Quest for the Ring]]'' - Himself
* 2001 - ''[[A Passage to Middle-earth]]'' - Himself
==Quotes==
{{quote|What Professor Tolkien achieved is unique in the literature of my lifetime. Indeed, in my opinion, he had reached the peak of literary invention of all time. Nothing like it has ever existed, and probably never will.|Christopher Lee, foreword to ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare]]''}}
{{quote|It's just going to be...I'm trying to think of the right word - without making it sound like the usual fashionable superlative. I think it will create film history. I think it's going to have the biggest impact, on screen, of anything of the last 40 or 50 years|Christopher Lee, SFX Magazine June #65}}
{{quote|Saruman is number one. Saruman is, very definitely, the most brilliant, the most powerful, with the greatest intellect and the greatest knowledge. Gandalf...well he's number two. But Saruman's whole character becomes perverted and distorted and he lusts for power and gradually, as it very often does, the old famous quote 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'.|Christopher Lee, Fox's [[Quest for the Ring]]}}

==Awards==
* [[2002]] - '''[http://www.cinemaclips.com/PFCS.htm PFCS Award]''', Best Acting Ensemble, ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
* [[2003]] - '''[http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/ OFCS Award]''', Best Ensemble, ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]''
* 2003 - '''PFCS Award''', Best Acting Ensemble, ''Peter Jackson's The Two Towers''

== External Links ==
* '''[http://www.christopherleeweb.com/ Official Website]'''
* {{WP|Christopher Lee}}

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[[Category:Actors and actresses]]
[[Category:Narrators]]
[[Category:Musicians]]
[[Category:Authors]]

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