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File talk:The Reprint of the Old English Exodus.jpg

2026-05-26T21:13:09Z

Quentandil: Created page with "What is this?? bwaahaha!!! ~~~~"

What is this?? bwaahaha!!! [[User:Quentandil|Quentandil]] ([[User talk:Quentandil|talk]]) 21:13, 26 May 2026 (UTC)

Lëa

2026-05-17T20:55:48Z

Quentandil: Redirects can have categories when necessary

#REDIRECT [[Nessa]]

[[Category:Quenya names]]

File talk:J.R.R. Tolkien - Three Rings.png

2026-02-25T19:51:21Z

Quentandil: /* Edition */ new section

== Edition ==

This being an edited image of Tolkien's art, it should be noticed both in the file's name and in the description of the article, like [File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Fellowship of the Ring cover (fragment).png]. Also, name the source in the file's summary. [[User:Quentandil|Quentandil]] ([[User talk:Quentandil|talk]]) 19:51, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

Gandalf

2026-02-15T14:38:31Z

Quentandil: Italics in the image description please

{{short description|Wizard of the Istari}}
{{disambig-more|Gandalf|[[Gandalf (disambiguation)]]}}
{{infobox character
| people-duplicated=[[Maiar|Maia]]
| name=Gandalf
| people=[[Maiar|Maia]] ([[Wizards|Wizard]])
| image=Matt Stewart - Gandalf - A Light in the Dark.jpg
| caption="A Light in the Dark" by [[:Category:Images by Matt Stewart|Matt Stewart]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Olórin'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''Mithrandir'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) ''Incánus'' ([[Haradrim|H]]) ''Tharkûn'' ([[Khuzdul|K]]) ''([[#Other names|See below]])''
| titles=Guardian of the Third Age The Grey [[The White]] White Rider White Pilgrim
| position=
| location=No fixed abode
| affiliation=[[Five Guardians]], [[Order of Wizards]], [[White Council]], [[Thorin and Company]], [[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=[[Valarin]], [[Elvish]], [[Westron]], [[Hobbitish]]
| birth=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| birthlocation=[[Timeless Halls]]
| rule=
| sailedwest=[[29 September]], {{TA|3021}}
| sailedfrom=[[Grey Havens]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| gender=Male
| height=5'6"<ref name="MB">{{HM|MB}}, p. 49</ref>
| hair=Long white, silver beard<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>
| eyes=Black that could become red
| clothing=Grey robes (later white), blue hat, grey scarf, black boots<ref name="Party"/>
| weapons=Staff [[Glamdring]] [[Narya]]
| steed=[[Shadowfax]]
}}
{{Quote|Gandalf was shorter in stature than the [[Elrond|other]] [[Glorfindel|two]]; but his long white hair, his sweeping silver beard, and his broad shoulders, made him look like some wise king of ancient legend. In his aged face under great snowy brows his eyes were set like coals that could suddenly burst into fire.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Many Meetings]]"}}

'''Gandalf''' was one of the five [[Order of Wizards|Istari]] sent to [[Middle-earth]] by the [[Valar]] in the [[Third Age]]. In [[Valinor]] he was known as Olórin. Gandalf was instrumental in bringing about the demise of [[Sauron]] in {{TA|3019}}, chiefly by encouraging others and dispensing his wisdom at pivotal times. He was originally robed in grey, and second to [[Saruman]] in the Order of Wizards. After his fall in [[Moria]], Gandalf returned to Middle-earth as head of the Order, robed in white. He was noteworthy for his keen interest in [[Hobbits]].

==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Kip Rasmussen - Olorin in the Gardens of Lorien.jpg|thumb|left|''Olorin in the Gardens of Lorien'' by [[:Category:Images by Kip Rasmussen|Kip Rasmussen]]]]
The wisest of the [[Maiar]], Gandalf was created by [[Ilúvatar]] before the [[Music of the Ainur]].<ref name="Ainu">{{S|Ainu}}</ref> At the beginning of [[Time]], he was amongst the [[Ainur]] who entered into [[Eä]].<ref name="SVala">{{S|Vala}}</ref> In his "youth" he was known as '''''Olórin''''' and lived in [[Lórien (Valinor)|Lórien]]. Yet his ways often took him to Nienna, from whom he learned pity and patience.<ref name="vala">{{S|IIc}}, p. 316</ref> He became one of the [[Maiar]] who served [[Manwë]], [[Varda]], [[Irmo]], and [[Nienna]]. He was associated with light and fire, much like [[Varda]].

After the Valar discovered the primeval [[Elves]] at [[Cuiviénen]], Olórin was sent there as one of the [[Five Guardians]] to guard the Elves from the forces of [[Melkor]].<ref>{{NM|P1xiii}}, p. 95</ref> It is unclear how long he remained or if he accompanied the [[Eldar]] on the [[Great Journey]]. But it is said he loved the Elves, and throughout his early life, he walked [[Unseen]] among them, or wore a [[Fana]] that appeared like an Elf, and he sent them fair visions in their hearts that made them wiser. Throughout his existence, he followed the example of Nienna, taking pity on the sorrows of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] and lifting out of despair those who listened to him.<ref name="vala" />

It is possible that Gandalf, as Olorin, came to Middle-earth in the Second Age. While Galadriel "dwelt now under the trees of Greenwood the Great" Olórin once had a conversation with her.<ref>{{UT|Elessar}}, p. 255</ref> It is possible that this was just after the year 1200, but it is said that "only those Wise could say who are now gone" could attest to the truth of this conversation.<ref>{{UT|Elessar}}, p. 268</ref>

===Third Age===
====Arrival in Middle-earth====
During the [[Third Age]], while [[Sauron|Sauron's]] 'dark spirit of malice' was increasing over [[Middle-earth]], the Valar chose the [[Istari]], missionaries from among the Maiar, to go to Middle-earth and help the [[Portal:Characters|peoples]]. [[Manwë]] selected Olórin, who, at first, did not wish to go, as he feared Sauron. However, Manwë said that it was all the more reason why he should go.<ref name="Istari">{{UT|13}}</ref> Furthermore, [[the One Ring]], the location of much of Sauron's power, presumably still existed somewhere in Middle-earth.

Olórin submitted to the will of Manwë and departed Valinor to [[Mithlond]] in the year {{TA|1000}}.<ref name="Istari" /> He arrived shortly after two other Istari, [[Curumo]] and [[Aiwendil]], at about the same time the [[Necromancer]] appeared in [[Mirkwood]]. Like the other Wizards, he took the shape of an old man. He was robed in grey.

At Mithlond, he was welcomed by [[Círdan]] the shipwright, who possessed [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings|Three]] Elven [[Rings of Power]]. Círdan divined in Olórin a sense of strength and power despite his appearance as a bent and aged old man. Círdan gave Narya to Olórin with a prediction of his future struggles with evil, and a promise that it would support and aid him in his labours. Then Círdan said "''But as for me, my heart is with the [[Belegaer|Sea]], and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.''"<ref name="ThirdAge">{{App|B2}}</ref>

[[File:John Howe - Gandalf the Grey.jpg|thumb|''Gandalf the Grey'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Gandalf then began his sojourn in Middle-earth, going about as a wanderer and counsellor. Unlike Saruman, Gandalf did not take up a single permanent residence. Gandalf never went to the [[east]]<ref name="TT Window p. 670">{{TT|Window}}, p. 670</ref> and apparently restricted his activities to the [[Westlands]] of Middle-earth, where the remnants of the [[Dúnedain]] and the [[Eldar]] remained to oppose Sauron. He was known by many names during the long years he remained in Middle-earth: Elves named him ''Mithrandir'', the Grey Pilgrim, while the men of [[Arnor]] named him '''Gandalf''', which became his most common name. He was also known as ''Incánus'' in the south, and ''Tharkûn'' to the [[Dwarves]].<ref name="Istari" />

A legend says that Gandalf was given the [[Elfstone]] of [[Eärendil]] by [[Yavanna]] to bring to the peoples of Middle-earth; this was to be a token that the Valar had not forsaken them. He gave it to [[Galadriel]], and remarked prophetically that she would in turn pass it to an individual who would also be called [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref>

====Early vigilance====
Around {{TA|1100}},<ref name="ThirdAge" /> the Istari and the Eldar discovered that some evil entity resided at [[Dol Guldur]] in Mirkwood. Dark shapes moved in the forest and evil began to multiply in the woods. Some thought a [[Nazgûl]] had returned to torment the world, or some new evil was arising. Gandalf was unsure, and feared that perhaps Sauron himself might have returned.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>
[[File:John Howe - Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur.jpg|thumb|left|''Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Over the next two hundred years the evil continued to grow, as well as the source directing it. [[Orcs]] were multiplying in the [[Misty Mountains]] and elsewhere. The [[Witch-king]], the mightiest of the Nazgûl, had built a fortress in [[Angmar]] in the Northern wastelands and waged unending war against the Kingdom of [[Arnor]]. Meanwhile [[Moria]] and [[Minas Ithil]] fell under a shadow, while other wars, plagues, and catastrophes occurred across Middle-earth. Gandalf went to Dol Guldur in {{TA|2063|n}} to discover its secret.<ref name="ThirdAge" /> An entity known only as the '[[Necromancer]]' fled before him preventing Gandalf from identifying him.<ref name="Rings" /> After Gandalf's incursion, the evil there seemed to desist, and its absence allowed for some centuries of calmness.

That peaceful period was known as the [[Watchful Peace]] and lasted for almost four hundred years. However, the Nazgûl had used this period to prepare for Sauron's return, which occurred in {{TA|2460|n}}.<ref name="ThirdAge" /> Realising the returning evil, the [[Wise]] formed the [[White Council]] three years later. [[Galadriel]], bearer of one of the Three Elven Rings and mighty among the Eldar, wished Gandalf to be the chief of the Council, but he refused the position wishing to set down no roots and to maintain his independence; Saruman took this place because of his vast knowledge.<ref name="Rings" />
[[File:Miriam Ellis - The Long Winter, 1158 - Gandalf Helps the Hobbits.jpeg|thumb|250px|left|''[[Long Winter|The Long Winter]], [[Third Age 2758|1158]]: Gandalf Helps the [[Hobbits]]'' by [[Miriam Ellis]]]]
During his wanderings in [[Eriador]], Gandalf met and befriended the isolated and secretive people of the [[Hobbits]] in their country, [[The Shire]]. During the [[Long Winter]] of {{TA|2758|n}} Gandalf came to their aid.<ref name="ThirdAge" /> It was then when he witnessed and admired the pity and courage the humble Hobbits reserved in their hearts.<ref name="Erebor" />

When King [[Thráin|Thráin II]], a dwarf of the royal line of [[Lonely Mountain]], disappeared on a journey to [[Erebor]], Gandalf looked for him. At some point after {{TA|2845|n}} he entered the abandoned city of Khazad-dûm. After his vain search, the Wizard exited through the [[Doors of Durin]]; however this experience did not help him know how to open the doors from the outside.<ref name="journey">{{FR|Journey}}</ref>

In {{TA|2850|n}}, his quest led him once more to Dol Guldur, this time in secrecy.<ref name="ThirdAge" /> He found Thráin in the dungeons, who gave the Wizard his last possessions, the [[Thrór's Map|map]] and key to Erebor.<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref> Most importantly, Gandalf found that the Necromancer was no Nazgûl, but was Sauron himself, and he had taken [[Ring of Thrór|the last]] of the [[Seven Rings]] from the Dwarf King. Sauron was gathering the remaining [[Rings of Power]] and possibly searching for his lost [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

Gandalf escaped Dol Guldur and returned to the White Council.<ref name="Rings" /> After relating his discoveries, he urged the council to attack Sauron while the One Ring was still lost and Sauron's power immature. But Saruman said that it was better to watch and wait, and that the One Ring had long ago rolled from [[Anduin]] to the Sea.<ref name="Rings" /> The majority of the council agreed with Saruman. [[Elrond]] Half-elven, a powerful member of the council, later privately told Gandalf he had a foreboding that the Ring would be found, and that the war to end the [[Ages|Age]] was coming. Indeed, he added, he feared that it would end in darkness and despair. Gandalf encouraged him, saying there were many "strange chances," and that, "''help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter''".<ref name="Rings" /> Gandalf did not yet realise that Saruman now wanted the Ring for himself and was secretly searching for it along the banks of the river Anduin.

====Quest for Erebor====
Gandalf would visit the Shire occasionally and participate in the [[Midsummer]]-eve parties of the [[Old Took]] where he impressed young Hobbits with his fireworks, and his stories about [[Dragons]], [[Orcs#Orcs and Goblins|Goblins]] and princesses.<ref name="Erebor" /> He was thus known to be "responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures". He also met a relatively adventurous Hobbit named [[Bilbo Baggins]] although he was far from "adventuresome."<ref name="Party" />

Gandalf was concerned about the weak state of the North. [[Smaug]] the [[Dragons|Dragon]] had destroyed both the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]] and the town of [[Dale]], and Gandalf feared that [[Sauron]] might use the desolation around Erebor to regain the northern passes in the mountains and the old lands of Angmar. Gandalf knew that exiled Dwarf [[King of Durin's Folk]] [[Thorin Oakenshield]] planned to battle against Smaug, but he knew that it would not be enough. In {{TA|2941|n}},<ref name="ThirdAge" /> while staying the night in [[Bree]], Gandalf happened across the Dwarf King.<ref name="Erebor">{{UT|Erebor}}</ref> Thorin initiated conversation; he had been having a strange feeling urging him to seek Gandalf. Gandalf was intrigued, for he had thought to seek Thorin as well. They found they were taking the same road for a while (Thorin passing through [[the Shire]] on his way to the [[Blue Mountains|Ered Luin]]), and they agreed to travel together. Thorin wanted advice, and Gandalf in turn wanted to discuss the Dragon Smaug with Thorin.
[[File:David T. Wenzel - Good Morning Mr. Baggins.jpg|thumb|''Good Morning Mr. Baggins'' by [[David T. Wenzel]]]]
Ultimately, Gandalf concocted a plan wherein Thorin could destroy Smaug and recover his family fortune, albeit with a "burglar" of Gandalf's own choosing. Gandalf had a feeling that a Hobbit should be involved, and he remembered Bilbo Baggins. At first he found only [[Holman Cotton]] as Bilbo had left on the occasion of the [[Yestare|Elven new year]], something that persuaded Gandalf that Bilbo was the right person for the job.<ref name="Erebor" /> He visited Bilbo later, bringing along the kinsmen of Thorin.<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> In the end Gandalf convinced the reluctant Baggins to become a burglar for Thorin.

Gandalf accompanied [[Thorin and Company]] to [[Rivendell]]. Gandalf saved them from a trio of [[Stone-trolls]], and later obtained the legendary sword [[Glamdring]] from their [[Trolls|Troll]]-hoard; Gandalf bore it thenceforth.<ref name="Mutton">{{H|Mutton}}</ref> He also helped Thorin and Company through the [[Misty Mountains]]. When they unknowingly camped in the [[Front Porch]] of the [[Goblin-town]], the Goblins captured the whole company except Gandalf, who surprised them much later by killing the [[Great Goblin]] and then rescuing the Dwarves and leading them to the exit.<ref name="Hill">{{H|Hill}}</ref> It was during this time that Bilbo obtained a "magic ring".<ref name="Riddles">{{H|Riddles}}</ref> The hobbit initially claimed he "won" it from the creature "[[Gollum]]" while the company was under the Misty Mountains,<ref name="Pan">{{H|Pan}}</ref> and he kept it secret from Gandalf for some time.
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Lord of the Eagles.jpg|thumb|''The Lord of the Eagles'' by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]
On their escape out, the Company was saved by the [[Eagles]] of the Misty Mountains; Gandalf once had healed the [[Great Eagle]] from a poisoned wound,<ref name="Pan" /> and thenceforth they became friends. The Eagles picked them up and flew them to their eyrie. The next day, they dropped them to the other side of the Mountains.<ref name="Pan" />

Gandalf then sought the hospitality of [[Beorn]], persuading him to welcome and host the whole Company in his [[Beorn's Hall|hall]]. But then he left the quest prior to its completion; after leading the Company to the outskirts of the [[Forest Gate]], he gave them some final advice (but little did he know that the lands had changed by then) before they entered [[Mirkwood]], and went to attend other obligations.<ref>{{H|Queer}}</ref> The [[White Council]] had met under the gravest of circumstances: Sauron's vast power was returning, even without his Ring. Gandalf at last convinced the Council to attack Dol Guldur, to which even Saruman agreed (as by now he feared Sauron as a rival, and wished to delay his search for the Ring). Gandalf joined his peers in assailing [[Dol Guldur]], ridding [[Mirkwood]] of the Necromancer's presence, who fled to [[Mordor]].<ref name="ThirdAge">{{App|B2}}</ref> When he was about to finish his task, news about what happened to Thorin's Company in Mirkwood reached him, and he realised that the instructions he gave them did not help; they had lost their way, and then vanished from the imprisonment of the [[Silvan Elves|Wood-elves]], who had captured them. He was anxious to get back to them as soon as possible.<ref>{{H|Welcome}}</ref>

Meanwhile Thorin's quest was successful: Erebor was retaken and Smaug was killed,<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref> but when Gandalf finally arrived to the area, he found the [[Dwarves of Erebor]] and [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills|the Iron Hills]] preparing for an attack by the [[Lake-men]] and the [[Elves of Mirkwood]]. He was with [[Bard]] and [[Thranduil]] and revealed his presence trying to reason with Thorin. When the attack was beginning, Gandalf halted them, to warn that the [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] were coming to claim the treasure. He invited [[Dáin Ironfoot]] for council, and soon Dwarves, Elves and Men formed an alliance, and defeated the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref name="Burst">{{H|Burst}}</ref>

King Thorin was mortally wounded and after his funeral and the reestablishment of Erebor under Dáin, Bilbo and Gandalf left Erebor for the Shire; on the way, they celebrated [[Yule]] at Beorn's, and then returned to Rivendell, where Gandalf discussed with [[Elrond]] the events of Dol Guldur and the Lonely Mountain. Gandalf had accomplished his immediate goal, which was to destroy Smaug, who could have been used to disastrous effect by Sauron. A large number of Orcs and Wargs also were killed in the North, removing threats to Rivendell and Lothlórien.<ref name="Erebor" /> But they both agreed that it would be better if the Necromancer were banished from the world altogether.<ref name="H19">{{H|19}}</ref>

As Gandalf and Bilbo passed by the site of their former encounter with the stone-trolls, they recovered the gold of the troll-hoard they had buried.<ref name="H19" />

Gandalf was amazed by the hobbit; until then he had paid no attention to hobbits and knew little of them. For the rest of his sojourn in Middle-earth, Gandalf took a special interest in hobbits, and particularly in the Baggins family. [[Third Age 2949|Years later]], he and Balin paid a visit to Bilbo, discussing the news from Erebor and Dale.<ref name="ThirdAge" /><ref name="H19" />

====Return of the Shadow====
Despite the Council's hopes, Sauron was not weakened by this attack. He had foreseen the move that drove him from Mirkwood, and his retreat was but a feint. Ten years after the attack, Sauron declared himself openly in Mordor in {{TA|2951|n}} and rebuilt [[Barad-dûr]]. The White Council met for one last time in {{TA|2953|n}} to debate about the [[Rings of Power]]. Saruman quieted his peers, claiming to have knowledge that the One Ring was lost in the [[Belegaer]]. After their meeting, Saruman, jealous and afraid of Gandalf, set spies to watch all his movements; this would affect the peaceful Hobbits, as from this, Saruman discovered their existence and noted Gandalf's interest in the Shire. As a result, he started sending agents to [[Bree]] and the [[Southfarthing]].<ref name="ThirdAge" />

[[Gollum]] had come to Gandalf's knowledge, having left his hideout. He was looking for the thief of his ring: Bilbo. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]] had informed Gandalf that Gollum was traversing the forest. Then, coinciding with Sauron's declaration, Gollum apparently turned towards [[Mordor]] and was lost. Gandalf neglected the matter because he "had much else to think of at that time" and still trusted Saruman's knowledge. Later, Gandalf would regret this.<ref name="shadow" />

Meanwhile, Sauron began reassembling his forces for the final blow against the West. [[Easterlings]] from [[Khand]] and beyond the [[Sea of Rhûn]], joined by men from [[Harad]] reinforced his stronghold in [[Mordor]]; Orcs, trolls, and other foul beasts were multiplying while his minions were searching the Anduin for any sign of his precious One Ring.

Gandalf met [[Aragorn]], the hidden [[Heir of Isildur]] in {{TA|2956|n}}, and soon became friends with him.<ref name="ThirdAge" /> From that point on, Aragorn and Gandalf often worked together towards a common end - the defeat of Sauron.

He visited [[Minas Tirith]] and was welcomed by [[Faramir]], the son of the [[Ruling Steward]] [[Denethor]], and taught him from his wisdom. This displeased Denethor, who didn't trust Gandalf.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

[[File:Michele Mantoani - Gandalf.jpg|thumb|''Gandalf'' by [[:Category:Images by Michele Mantoani|Michele Mantoani]]]]
During this period Gandalf visited the Shire frequently, especially his friend Bilbo Baggins, and his younger cousin, [[Frodo Baggins]]. He noted Bilbo's unusual youthfulness, despite his advancing age; the suspicious "[[The One Ring|magic ring]]" that Bilbo had acquired during his adventure began to weigh on his mind. Gandalf recalled the deceit Bilbo used in originally claiming it for his own — Bilbo had later admitted to stealing it from [[Gollum]]. Gandalf could see that Bilbo was very preoccupied with the ring. Such un-hobbitlike behaviour aroused his suspicions. In {{TA|3001|n}} he organised [[Bilbo's Farewell Party]], and before leaving the Shire, he convinced Bilbo to leave the Ring for Frodo. He then emphatically warned Frodo not to use it; Gandalf had begun to suspect that the "magic ring" was indeed a [[Ring of Power]].<ref name="party">{{FR|Party}}</ref> Around that time, Gandalf became unpopular in the Shire; he was blamed for Bilbo's disappearance, and was even accused of plotting with Frodo to get a hold on Bilbo's wealth.<ref name="shadow">{{FR|Shadow}}</ref><ref name="party" />

Gandalf was keen to find out more about Bilbo's ring, so he left the Shire,<ref name="party" /> and resumed his search for Gollum. In this, he sought the help of [[Aragorn]]. The [[Rangers of the North]] were put to guard the Shire more closely.<ref name="ThirdAge" /> Gandalf showed up only [[Third Age 3004|three years later]] to check on Frodo and the Shire, and continued for the next four years always turning up unexpectedly and disappearing before dawn. In {{TA|3009|n}} he renewed the hunt for [[Gollum]] with Aragorn, searching in the [[vales of Anduin]], [[Mirkwood]], [[Rhovanion]], and even to the edges of Mordor. The search lasted eight years, for Gandalf did not know that Gollum had been captured by Sauron.<ref name="ThirdAge" /> Gandalf regretted ignoring Gollum for so many years, as his trail had become cold, resulting in many dark and dangerous days for Gandalf.<ref name="shadow" />

Studying the records in [[Minas Tirith]], Gandalf found the [[Scroll of Isildur]] in {{TA|3017|n}}, and from this, pieced together the missing history of the One Ring. On his way back to the Shire, he got word from the [[Galadhrim]] that Aragorn had finally captured Gollum<ref name="ThirdAge" /> and so he went to [[Mirkwood]] to meet him. For days he interrogated him in order to verify what he already knew. A great fear came over him when he learned that Gollum had been to [[Barad-dûr]]. Sauron had tortured Gollum and learned of the "magic ring", as well as the names "Shire" and "Baggins". The effects that Gandalf had seen on Gollum and Bilbo convinced him that Bilbo's Ring was not simply one of the [[Rings of Power]]: it was the ''[[The One Ring|One Ruling Ring]]'' of Sauron. Gandalf then returned in haste to the Shire.<ref name="shadow" /><ref name="council">{{FR|Council}}</ref>

====War of the Ring====
[[File:Alan Lee - The Shadow of the Past.jpg|thumb|''The Shadow of the Past'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
Gandalf returned to the Shire on [[12 April]] {{TA|3018}} and proved to Frodo that Bilbo's ring was the ancient [[One Ring]] which the Dark Power of [[Mordor]] was looking for. He told Frodo that he gathered much of this information by interrogating the creature [[Gollum]]. Frodo exclaimed that Gollum should have been killed, however Gandalf speculated that perhaps Gollum would have a part to play before the end, and in any case, it was not for Frodo to decide who should live and who should die.<ref name="shadow" />

Gandalf suggested that he should leave the Shire soon and take the Ring to [[Rivendell]]. Frodo decided to leave on his next birthday, pretending to be moving to [[Buckland]], to which Gandalf agreed. The wizard stayed in the Shire for over two months,<ref name="three">{{FR|Three}}</ref> during which time, on [[1 May]] he went to [[Sarn Ford]] and met again Aragorn, informing him of Frodo's plans.<ref name="FR|Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref> He had a sense of foreboding and heard [[Sauron's attack on Osgiliath|disturbing news about war]] in [[Gondor]] and a [[Black Shadow]].<ref name="council" /> He decided to leave for the South and left Frodo, promising to return for his birthday-farewell party in autumn, so that they would go to Rivendell together.<ref name="three" />

He wandered around [[Eriador]] hearing news from the refugees who had a fear they could not speak about, until he met [[Radagast]] who brought a message from [[Saruman]] that he must seek him at once, and a warning that the [[Ringwraiths]] were looking for the Shire.<ref name="council" /> Gandalf went to [[the Prancing Pony]] at [[Bree]]. Believing that he would not be able to return to Frodo in time, he wrote [[Gandalf's letter|a letter]],<ref name="council" /> urging him to move as soon as possible for Rivendell, and seek someone named "Strider", whose real name was Aragorn, with a [[Riddle of Strider|riddle]] to identify him; Gandalf would then try to catch up with them when he could. He instructed [[Barliman Butterbur]] to send the letter to [[Hobbiton]] and to expect a Mr. [[Baggins]] to arrive at the inn under the name of "[[Mr. Underhill]]". He left the inn, but Barliman would forget to send the letter.<ref name="FR|Strider" />

=====Treachery of Saruman=====
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf Escapes Upon Gwaihir.jpg|thumb|left|''Gandalf Escapes Upon Gwaihir'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Soon thereafter, Gandalf arrived at Isengard. At their meeting, Saruman at last revealed his desire for the One Ring.<ref name="council" /> He offered to his "''old friend and helper''" that they take the Ring for themselves and seize power from Sauron. Gandalf rejected this with horror, and was imprisoned by Saruman on the pinnacle of [[Orthanc]]. [[Gwaihir]], chief of the Eagles, soon arrived and helped Gandalf escape.<ref name="council" /> Gandalf knew he needed to return quickly to the Shire, as Frodo (and the Ring) were in grave danger from both Sauron's Nazgûl and Saruman's treacherous desire for the Ring.

Gandalf hurriedly went to [[Rohan]], desiring to find a strong steed; there he obtained [[Shadowfax]] from King [[Théoden]], who later resented the gift.<ref name="council" /> This lord of horses and Gandalf forged a special bond, and Gandalf made quick use of Shadowfax's incredible strength and endurance.

Gandalf sped to the Shire. Fortunately, Frodo had already left the Shire without waiting for Gandalf,<ref name="council" /> and was seeking [[Rivendell]]. Upon his arrival, Gandalf learned that the Nazgûl, arrayed as [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]], had been searching the area. Dismayed, he set out for Bree; Barliman apologised to Gandalf for forgetting to send the letter, and was worried that the hobbits had left with Strider, the suspicious [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]]. But for Gandalf, this was a hope which far exceeded his expectations. After congratulating a puzzled Barliman, Gandalf slept the night at the inn and in the morning left for [[Weathertop]], a high point in the region, to observe the surrounding area.<ref name="council" />
[[File:Eric Velhagen - Encounter at Amon Sûl.jpg|thumb|250px|''Encounter at [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]]'' by [[Eric Velhagen]]]]
There he was assaulted at night by the Nazgûl, but drove them off after a great battle of light and flame.<ref name="B3">{{App|B3}}</ref> These phenomena were seen by Aragorn and the hobbits from afar, although they were unaware that Gandalf was involved.<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref> Before leaving Weathertop, he marked some stones with the [[cirth|certh]] G for them to find. The next day he escaped to the north, followed by four Riders.<ref name="council" />

He then went directly to Rivendell, arriving a few days sooner than [[Aragorn]].<ref name="B3" /> But when they arrived, Gandalf and Elrond joined their powers to cause a flood in [[Bruinen]] to drown the Riders, allowing Frodo some time to reach Rivendell.<ref name="council" /> Then they welcomed Glorfindel, Aragorn and the hobbits upon their arrival. Frodo was sick with a [[Morgul-wound]], but was still in possession of the Ring.

=====Fellowship of the Ring=====
Elrond called a [[Council of Elrond|Council]] after Frodo was healed to consider the momentous decision of what would be done with the Ring. By chance, representatives of most of the free peoples were in Rivendell for various reasons. Elrond and Gandalf advised that the Ring should be destroyed in the fires of [[Orodruin]], where it was made. Others dissented or objected, but they eventually submitted to Gandalf's plan. Ultimately, Elrond appointed the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] as nine walkers, numerically set against Sauron's nine Nazgûl. The relatively small number reflected the realisation by Elrond and the other council members that the quest of Mount Doom would not rely upon strength of arms, but on stealth and good fortune. Gandalf was chosen to lead the company, which included [[Aragorn]], [[Boromir]], [[Legolas]] the Elf, [[Gimli]] the Dwarf, and the hobbits Frodo Baggins, who was named the [[Ring-bearer]], and [[Samwise Gamgee]], [[Peregrin Took]], and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]].<ref name="council" />

Several obstacles stood in the company's way. The vast [[Misty Mountains]] had to be crossed, for Gandalf was determined not to lead the company near [[Isengard]]. Gandalf decided to take a southern route to the [[Redhorn Pass]] and there to cross the [[Misty Mountains]] near [[Caradhras]], thereby traversing the mountain range and avoiding Isengard.<ref name="The Ring Goes South, p. 283">{{FR|South}}, p. 283</ref> When this attempt failed due to a terrible storm, he decided to take the Fellowship through the ruins of Moria, where the remains of the great Dwarven city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] were now a labyrinth of tunnels under the mountains. Others in the company were loath to enter the maze, as it was now the lair of orcs and something known only as "Durin's Bane".

At the [[Doors of Durin]] on the west side of the mountains, Gandalf, after some delay, spoke the password and led the company into the dark. Having been in Moria on an earlier perilous errand, he was somewhat familiar with the underground passages. Eventually the party came to the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]], where Gandalf read the [[Book of Mazarbul|Book of Records]], which revealed the fate of [[Balin]], the leader of an ill-fated attempt to re-colonise Moria. Soon after, the party was attacked by orcs, and forced to flee the chamber. By then, Gandalf was well aware of their location and he led the party quickly towards the eastern exit.
[[File:John Howe - Gandalf Falls with the Balrog.jpg|thumb|''Gandalf Falls with the Balrog'' by [[John Howe]]]]
However, [[Durin's Bane]] caught up to the group at the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. Gandalf and Legolas immediately realised what it was: a [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of [[Morgoth]]. Gandalf faced the demon and broke the bridge upon which they both stood, leaving the beast to fall into a seemingly bottomless chasm. But the Balrog's whip lashed out, and grasped Gandalf by the knees, causing him to fall into the pit. While falling, Gandalf shouted "Fly, you fools" and vanished into the abyss.<ref name="bridge">{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>

Yet Gandalf did not die; he and the Balrog fought long in the bowels and deep places of [[Arda]]. After restless pursuit over the course of eight days, Gandalf and the beast finally came to the summit of the [[Endless Stair]] upon the peak of [[Celebdil]]. There, he [[Battle of the Peak|fought the demon]] for two days and nights. The Balrog had burst into flame anew when it exited the stairs; ice, wind, and smoke swirled about them as they duelled. Gandalf used his last measure of strength to slay the Balrog, throwing him down the mountainside in ruin. Gandalf's spirit then left his body, having sacrificed himself to save the Fellowship.

=====Gandalf the White=====
But Gandalf's spirit did not depart Middle-earth forever. As the only one of the five Istari to stay true to his errand, Olórin was sent back to mortal lands by [[Ilúvatar|Eru]], and he became Gandalf once again. Yet, as he was now the sole emissary of the Valar to Middle-earth, he was granted the power to "reveal" more of his inner [[Maiar]] strength.<ref>{{L|156}}</ref> This naked power that lay within him was seldom used during the remainder of his time in Middle-earth, as his mission was essentially the same: to support and succour those who opposed Sauron. Nevertheless, when Gandalf's wrath was kindled his "unveiled" strength was such that few of Sauron's servants could withstand him.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf Returns.jpg|thumb|left|''Gandalf Returns'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
As he lay on the mountaintop, the great eagle [[Gwaihir]] came up and bore him to [[Lothlórien]], where he was clothed and replenished, and given a new staff by [[Galadriel]]. Gandalf soon learned that Frodo had left the Fellowship and was travelling to Mount Doom. As Frodo was beyond his assistance now, Gandalf promptly went south to [[Fangorn Forest]], where he met the [[Three Hunters]]: [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]], and gave them messages from Galadriel. From them, he learned that Sam went with Frodo, and he was pleased with this.<ref name="TT White" />{{rp|496}} Then he called forth [[Shadowfax]], and rode with them to [[Edoras]]. There he found that Saruman's spy [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]] had deceived King [[Théoden]] into hopeless impotence. Gandalf quickly deposed Wormtongue and encouraged Théoden to ride west to war against [[Saruman]]. By now, Gandalf was keenly aware that the great war to end the age was beginning; if Saruman conquered Rohan, then Gondor would be alone with enemies on all sides.

At Gandalf's encouragement, King Théoden went west to Helm's Deep where he was quickly besieged; Gandalf then searched for [[Erkenbrand]] and the forces of the [[Westfold]], which he later found and led to the Deep, thus breaking the siege. Meanwhile, the [[Ents]], along with the hobbits Merry and Pippin, moved against Saruman and sent [[Huorns]] against the orcs, resulting in the utter ruin of the outer walls of [[Isengard]] and the complete annihilation of Saruman's orcs. After the battle, Gandalf went to [[Orthanc]] with Théoden, Aragorn, and a small group. There Saruman rejected Gandalf's offer of forgiveness with contempt. Gandalf then broke Saruman's staff and cast him from the Order and the Council.<ref name="TT Voice" />{{rp|583}} Gandalf imposed a strict watch on Isengard by the Ents and then advised King Théoden to ride to Gondor's defence as soon as possible. The wizard's mind had already turned to Gondor and the coming climactic battle in the east.

=====Siege of Minas Tirith=====
[[File:Donato Giancola - The White Rider.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|''The White Rider'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
As a 'reward' for Pippin, who had foolishly gazed into a [[Palantíri|palantír]], Gandalf took the Hobbit with him to [[Minas Tirith]], the last bastion of the west. Soon after arriving, Gandalf confronted [[Denethor|Denethor II]], the [[Ruling Steward]], and learned that he was near despair over the death of his eldest son, [[Boromir]]. Pippin entered the Steward's service in payment of the debt that he and Merry owed: the death of Boromir. Ostensibly they were allies, but the Steward treated him with disrespect and suspicion. When [[Faramir]], the Steward's younger son, returned from [[Osgiliath]] and was attacked by Nazgûl, Gandalf upon Shadowfax drove them away by revealing the power within him. Later, Faramir told him that Frodo and Sam were still alive and headed towards Mordor.<ref name="RK Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref>{{rp|812}}

The city was soon besieged by a vast force from Mordor, led by the [[Witch-king]]. An ill-advised counterattack resulted in Faramir receiving a wound from a poisoned dart; he lay near death inside the Tower. Still, Gandalf encouraged the men of Minas Tirith to have hope, and dispelled the fear of the Ringwraiths by his very presence. But Sauron's catapults hurled flaming bolts upon the city; soon the first circle of the city burned unchecked. Denethor then lost all heart as the city burned and his only remaining son hovered near death. He abandoned his leadership of the city, and Gandalf then took it upon himself to direct the defence of the city. When the gigantic battering ram [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] destroyed the ancient entrance to the city, Gandalf placed himself alone at the ruined gateway. The Witch-king then appeared in the midst of the blasted gate upon a black horse and threatened Gandalf with death; but Gandalf did not move — seated upon Shadowfax he defied the mightiest of Sauron's minions. However, the stand-off ended inconclusively, as the morning arrived along with the host of the Rohirrim. Hearing the horns of the [[Riders of Rohan]], the Witch-king departed.

However, Gandalf did not pursue his foe, for Pippin brought him news that Denethor was about to burn himself and his son Faramir to death on a pyre like the heathen kings of old. Gandalf rushed to stop this, and was able to save Faramir, but not Denethor, whose despair and grief had overcome his mind. Gandalf then learned how it was that Denethor's will had been broken: the Steward clutched a palantír in his hands as he burned.

Nevertheless, and against all hope, the siege was broken. [[Éowyn]] of Rohan and Merry defeated the Witch-king, whose last wail was heard by many as he was reduced to impotence. Soon after, Aragorn arrived with a large host of men from the southern fiefs upon a captured pirate fleet from Umbar. The forces of the men of the west then utterly defeated Sauron's attack against Minas Tirith, relieving the city and killing virtually all of the invaders. Gandalf's carefully laid plans and words of wisdom, along with acts of heroism not seen since the [[Elder Days]], had defeated Sauron's first move.

=====Last battle=====
But the attack against Minas Tirith was only a part of Sauron's plan to devastate the West and make himself the ruler of Middle-earth. Other armies moved in the north against [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and the Kingdom of Thranduil, as well as against Lothlórien and other points along the [[Anduin]]. Still commanding vast armies of orcs and men, the Dark Lord soon would move against Gondor again; the remnants of the Edain and their allies had little hope against his almost limitless resources.

In Minas Tirith, Gandalf was selected by Aragorn, [[Imrahil]], and [[Éomer]] (the remaining lords of the west) to be their leader in the coming final battles. This would be the culmination of Gandalf's efforts in Middle-earth. Fully aware that the West would stand or fall on the outcome of Frodo's mission, he advised the lords to drive north to the [[Morannon]], thereby drawing Sauron's eye away from Frodo's likely location. This plan would likely result in a catastrophic loss for the outnumbered army, but it gave Frodo a chance to achieve the quest of Mount Doom.

Led by Gandalf and Aragorn, the army of the West crossed the Anduin and marched north, pausing occasionally to announce their coming, and to dispatch small numbers of men to lesser tasks. Upon arriving at the Black Gate, the forces halted and prepared for battle. As they ordered their companies, the foul [[Mouth of Sauron]] rode forth to parley with them; he revealed Frodo's [[Mithril-coat]] and [[Barrow-blade]] and implied that their owner was captured and tortured. The emissary of Sauron then proposed that the forces of the west surrender; Gandalf however was undaunted, and, seizing his friend's belongings, rejected Sauron's offer. In shock, the Mouth of Sauron turned back towards the Black Gate, which slowly opened to reveal a vast army of orcs and trolls advancing on the lords of the west. Sauron's trap was sprung.

Yet Sauron himself became the victim of Gandalf's trap. Unbeknownst to all, Frodo and Sam had succeeded in scaling Mount Doom. Even as the Battle of Morannon began, Frodo stood at the [[Crack of Doom]]. But the power and lure of the Ring finally overcame his will and he placed the ring upon his finger, claiming it as his own. Immediately the Nazgûl were summoned by their lord, as he in terror realised his blunder: his enemies intended to destroy his Ring.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Shadow of Sauron.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Shadow of Sauron'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
But Gandalf's foresight proved accurate again as the creature Gollum, who had been doggedly following the Ring-bearer, seized the Ring from Frodo, and, while celebrating his reunion with "his precious," unwittingly fell into the fires of Orodruin. The ring was unmade as the fiery mountain erupted. The tower of [[Barad-dûr]] and the [[Towers of the Teeth]] began to collapse, their foundations crumbling. The Ring-wraiths burned out like shooting stars, and Sauron was reduced to a mere shadow of malice, never to torment the world again.

With Sauron gone, his forces scattered; the Men of the West now set upon them with fury. Gandalf announced the success of the [[Ring-bearer]] and the end of Sauron; the quest had been fulfilled. Seeing that victory was achieved, Gandalf then mounted [[Gwaihir]] the Eagle for the third time, and set out for Mount Doom in search of Frodo and Sam. To his great relief, the two were found on the slopes of Orodruin, clinging to life amid the volcanic eruptions.<ref>{{RK|Doom}}</ref>{{rp|948–51}} The great quest was over.

====End of the Order====
In Minas Tirith, Gandalf and the remaining members of the Fellowship reunited. At the coronation of King [[Aragorn|Elessar]], Gandalf, at Aragorn's request, set the crown upon the King’s head, and declared "''Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the [[Valar]] endure!''". Thus Gandalf ushered in the new age of men.

After the coronation and wedding of Aragorn to [[Arwen]], Gandalf left with the rest of the remaining Fellowship on the journey home. For Gandalf, it was his last long journey in Middle-earth. His errand to Arda had been fulfilled; Sauron had been defeated. He said farewell to his friends one by one until at last only the four Hobbits remained at his side. At the borders of the Shire he, too, turned away. He left the Hobbits to settle the affairs of the Shire themselves, for the shattered pieces of evil still remaining in the world were no longer his concern, and went to talk to [[Tom Bombadil]].<ref>{{RK|Homeward}}</ref>{{rp|996}}
[[File:The Brothers Hildebrandt - At the Grey Havens.jpg|thumb|''At the Gray Havens'' by [[The Brothers Hildebrandt]]]]
What Gandalf did during the next two years is unknown; it is possible that his "''long talk''" with Bombadil was just that. At any rate, on [[29 September]] {{TA|3021|n}}, he met [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] at [[Mithlond]], ready to take the [[White Ship]] over the [[Belegaer|sea]] to [[Aman]]. He wore [[Narya]] openly on his finger, and Shadowfax was beside him (perhaps even to take ship with him). His mission was over, and his homecoming after more than 2000 years was nigh. He bade farewell to [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] (the later two of whom he had forewarned of the passage), then boarded the ship beside Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond, and Galadriel. The ship passed west upon the sea,<ref>{{RK|Havens}}</ref> and then took the hidden straight path to [[Valinor]]. Gandalf became Olórin once more. There, presumably, he dwells still in the gardens of [[Irmo]]. Olórin, the wisest of the Maiar and the sole Istar to remain true to his mission, had successfully kindled the hearts of the [[free peoples]] of Middle-earth to overcome the evil of their time. 

==Characteristics==
===Personality===
[[File:Roger Garland - Gandalf.jpg|left|thumb|The Grey Pilgrim relaxing. Art by [[Roger Garland]]]]
Gandalf is often described in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' as quick to anger, and equally quick to laugh.<ref name="Lorien">{{FR|Lorien}}</ref> He had great pity and patience, even extending to the servants of his enemies. He is said to have learned both from Nienna in Valinor.<ref name="vala" />
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - G for Gandalf.png|thumb|Gandalf's signature, the [[cirth|rune]] "G".]]
Keen observers of Gandalf often detected a veiled power, usually revealed in his eyes, which appeared deep and wise.<ref>{{RK|MT}}</ref>{{rp|757}} He was alternately affectionate and brusque; he often surprised others with his bluntness when time was of the essence. Gandalf consistently upbraided foolish behaviour, but also richly rewarded those who acted with good intentions.

Hobbits appealed to him more than to the other Wizards, and he often went to the Shire for respites from his errands. It may be that he was amused by their nature. It may also be because they were untouched by the great evils of the world, and were more in touch with nature than Men; perhaps their agrarian lifestyle appealed to Gandalf's innate spirit and reminded him of the gardens of Valinor.

[[Círdan]] the Shipwright divined in him "the greatest spirit and the wisest" out of all of the Wizards that came from the West, and so he entrusted the care of [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings]] of the Elves, to Gandalf rather than to Saruman.<ref name="Istari" />

===Appearance===
[[File:John Howe - Gandalf the Grey 02.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Gandalf the Grey'' by [[John Howe]]]]

The first description of Gandalf is preserved in the initial pages of ''The Hobbit'', written in the early 1930s. Gandalf's fame is alluded to even before his physical description ("Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion"), while the protagonist's ("unsuspecting Bilbo") impression is that of:
{{Blockquote|...an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which a white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots.|''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[An Unexpected Party]]"}}

Later, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] wrote:
{{Blockquote|...a figure strongly built and with broad shoulder, though shorter than the average of men and now stooped with age, leaning on a thick rough-cut staff as he trudged along... Gandalf's hat was wide-brimmed [...] with a pointed conical crown, and it was ''blue''; he wore a long ''grey'' cloak, but this would not reach much below his knees. It was of an elven silver-grey hue, though tarnished by wear - as is evident from the general use of grey in [[The Lord of the Rings|the book]]... But his colours were always white, silver-grey, and blue - except for the boots he wore when walking in the wild...Gandalf even bent must have been at least 5 ft. 6... Which would make him a short man even in modern England, especially with the reduction of a bent back.<ref name="MB" />}}

Although some of the Wise knew his true nature, his "wizard-like" appearance caused many to mistake him for a simple conjurer. After his return, his "signature colour" changed from grey to white, for he had been sent back to replace the corrupt Saruman as the chief of the Wizards. In the book, he claimed that, in some ways, he now "was Saruman", or rather Saruman as he should have been.<ref name="TT White" />{{rp|495}}

===Powers and abilities===
[[File:Roger Thomasson - Gandalf the Grey.jpg|thumb|''Gandalf the Grey'' by [[Roger Thomasson]]]]
Gandalf demonstrated extensive knowledge of the land and an assortment of magical abilities from trivial to essential.

Gandalf was the bearer of [[Narya]], the Ring of Fire, and described himself as the "servant of the [[Secret Fire]]" and "wielder of the [[flame of Anor]]".<ref name="bridge" /> Many of Gandalf's displays of power were related to fire in some way. It is not known, though, whether or to what extent his possession of Narya affected his abilities.

He created blinding flashes and other pyrotechnics to distract the [[Orcs|goblins]] of the [[Misty Mountains]] during Thorin and Company's escape from [[Goblin-town]]. On the eastern slopes, he turned pine cones into flaming projectiles that threw hot sparks and started fires that would not easily go out.

When the Fellowship was attacked by [[Wargs]] in [[Eregion|Hollin]], Gandalf spoke words of power to inflame the trees on the hillock where the company had camped. While crossing the Misty Mountains with the Fellowship, he was able to start fires under blizzard conditions. On the journey through Moria he created lights of varying intensity, magically secured doors, and broke the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. He fought and killed the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog of Moria]], although he did not himself survive the battle.<ref name="bridge" />

Sent back to [[Middle-earth]] as Gandalf the White, he possessed greater charisma and a limited degree of clairvoyance, although he was unable to peer into the land of [[Mordor]] to see the progress of Frodo and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]. His power and authority had increased so that he could break [[Saruman]]'s staff with a spoken command, throw the treacherous wizard out of the order.<ref name="TT Voice">{{TT|Voice}}</ref>{{rp|583}} He also prevented Sauron's Eye from locating Frodo.<ref name="TT White">{{TT|White}}</ref>

He frequently used his powers for entertainment. He blew glowing smoke rings that moved around the room at his direction, and was known among Hobbits for his fireworks displays,<ref name="Erebor" /> for example at [[Bilbo's Farewell Party]].<ref name="party" />

When angered or aroused for battle, he seemed to grow in height and assume a terrifying aspect.<ref name="party" />{{rp|34}}

Though not as keen as [[Elves]], his eyesight was sharp enough to see in darkness, and into the [[Unseen]].

===Special equipment===
It is unknown whether Gandalf required his staff to exercise certain powers. At times it appeared to focus or extend his powers, such as its emanation of light. [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]] tried to forbid Gandalf from bringing it into [[Edoras]] in a clear attempt to limit his powers.<ref>{{TT|King}}</ref>{{rp|514}}

When he arrived in Middle-earth, Gandalf received the Elven ring [[Narya]] from [[Círdan]].<ref name="Istari" /> Gandalf wore it from that time to the end of the Third Age, but how he used its powers is not known.

In {{TA|2941}}, Gandalf acquired the Elven sword [[Glamdring]] from the treasure hoard of a band of trolls.<ref name="Mutton" /> He continued to wield this weapon throughout ''The Lord of the Rings'', in particular during his fight with the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] in Moria.

Throughout his time in Middle-earth Gandalf was often seen with a pipe which he used to smoke [[Old Toby]].

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Gandalf.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Quenya - Olórin.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
''Gandalf'' is a [[North Germanic languages|Norse]] name and supposedly means "Elvish wight with a (magic) staff", for it contains the element ''gandr'' ("a staff, especially one used in 'magic'"). It is a substitution in the English narrative for an unknown [[Westron]] name (on the same lines as the treatment of Hobbit and Dwarf names).<ref>{{UT|13}}</ref><ref group="note">Since the name ''Gandalf'' is attributed to "the North" in general, it probably represents a Westron name, but one made up of elements not derived from Elvish tongues.</ref>

The Men of the North called him so because they incorrectly thought that he was of Elven-kind<ref name="essay">{{UT|Istari}}, citing from the essay on the Istari</ref> and because they knew his alliance and friendship with Elves well<ref name="long note">{{UT|Istari}}, citing from a long note from before the publication of the second edition of ''The Lord of the Rings'' in 1966</ref>.

Gandalf is also the name of a dwarf in the [[Völuspá]], one of the poems of the [[Poetic Edda]]<ref>{{UT|13a}}, "12"</ref>, from where Tolkien got many of the Dwarven names used in his books.

==Other names==
{{quote|Many are my names in many countries. Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Dwarves; Olórin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incánus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not.|''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Window on the West]]"}}
*'''Greyhame''': Used in [[Rohan]],<ref>{{TT|Riders}}, p. 435</ref> it was the equivalent in [[Rohanese]] of ""Greycloak" which would have been ''grēg-hama''.<ref name="nomen">{{HM|N}}, entry '''Greyhame''', p. 758</ref>

*'''''Incánus''''': Gained during his long travels "in the south" (likely meaning no further south than [[Gondor]] or the [[Near Harad]]<ref name="Istari" />) of [[Middle-earth]] in the mid-[[Third Age]].<ref name="TT Window p. 670" /> Although ''Incánus'' seems to be of unclear language and meaning, a note in the [[Thain's Book]] says it is a [[Quenya]] form simply adapted from a word in the tongue of the [[Haradrim]]: ''Inkā-nūsh'' (or possibly ''Inkā-nūs''), meaning "North-spy".<ref name="Istari" /> ''Incánus'' in Latin means "grey-haired". However, [[Christopher Tolkien]] has noted that the "coincidence in form" might be an "accident",<ref name="Istari" /> his father wrote "Incánus Latin" in a later published manuscript,<ref name="PE1788" /> suggesting that the similarity was perhaps more than a coincidence. Tolkien also changed his mind several times about the meaning of ''Incánus'', besides the etymology given above his other variations were:
**An archaic [[Quenya]] word meaning "Mind-ruler", from ''in(id)''- ("mind") and ''cáno'' ("ruler, governor, chieftain").<ref name="Istari" />
**An adaptation from Quenya ''incānus(se)'', meaning "mind mastership".<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry Q ''incānus(se)'', p. 88 and entry √'''IN-''', p. 155</ref>
**A possible [[Westron]] invention meaning "Greymantle".<ref name="Istari" /> In a draft manuscript of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', different names used were ''Forlong''>>''Fornold''>>''Incânus''.<ref name="WR2V" />

*'''Láthspell''': The name given to Gandalf by [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]] when the former arrived at [[Meduseld]]. It means "Ill-news".<ref name="King">{{TT|King}}, p. 513</ref> It is a modernized form of [[Old English]] ''lad-spell'' ("a painful grievous story") from ''lad'' ("causing hate, evil, injury") and ''spell'' ("story", "message").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 404</ref> In earlier drafts, it is actually Théoden who refers to Gandalf as Láthspell.<ref name="TIKing">{{TI|King}}, p. 444</ref>

*'''''Mithrandir''''': His [[Sindarin]] name ({{IPA|[miˈθrandir]}}), used in [[Gondor]] and meaning "Grey Pilgrim" or "Grey Wanderer", from ''[[mith]]'' ("grey") + ''[[randir]]'' ("pilgrim, wandering man").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 320</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, entry S '''Mithrandir''', p. 60</ref>

*'''''Olórin''''': His original name in [[Valinor]]. It is [[Quenya]], and its meaning is associated with the Quenya word [[olos|''olos'' or ''olor'']], meaning "dream" or "vision / of mind".<ref name="Istari" /><ref name="PE1788">{{PE|17}}, Q '''Olórin''' , p. 88</ref> In a draft manuscript of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', occurs the spelling ''Olórion''.<ref name="WR2V">{{WR|2|V}}, p. 153</ref>

*'''Stormcrow''': The name given to Gandalf by King [[Théoden]] in [[Rohan]], a reference to his arrival being associated with times of trouble.<ref name="King" />

*'''''Tharkûn''''': The name given to Gandalf by the [[Dwarves]].<ref name="TT Window p. 670" /> ''Tharkûn'' is [[Khuzdul]], meaning either "Grey-man"<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry D '''Tharkûn''', p. 88</ref> or "Staff-man".<ref name="Istari" /> The word possibly derives from the unattested word ''thark'' ("staff") + a nominal ending ''-ûn''.<ref>Mellonath Daeron, "[https://www.forodrim.org/daeron/md_khuzdul.html An analysis of Dwarvish]" (accessed [[11 October]] [[2010]])</ref> In a draft manuscript of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', occurs the spelling ''Sharkûn''.<ref name="WR2V" />

*'''The White Rider''': The name given to him by Aragorn when he rides the great horse [[Shadowfax]].<ref>{{TT|White}}, p. 500</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In early manuscripts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', the name ''[[Bladorthin]]'' was used by Tolkien for the character who later would be named ''Gandalf''. The name ''Gandalf'' was instead used for the character known as [[Thorin]] in the published works.<ref>{{HH|Intro}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
[[File:Georg von Rosen - Oden som vandringsman, 1886 (Odin, the Wanderer).jpg|thumb|''Oden som vandringsman'' (''Odin the Wanderer'') by Georg von Rosen]]
[[File:Josef Madlener - Der Berggeist.jpg|left|thumb|''[[Der Berggeist]]'' by [[Josef Madlener]]]]

''Gandalfr''
appears in the list of dwarves in the ''[[Völuspá]]'' of the Elder Edda, the name means "Cane-elf". Tolkien took the name along with the other dwarves' names when he wrote ''The Hobbit'' in the 1930s. He came to regret the creation of this "rabble of eddaic-named dwarves [...] invented in an idle hour",<ref>{{TI|Runes}}, p. 452</ref> since it forced him to come up with an explanation of why Old Norse names should be used in [[Third Age]] Middle-earth. He solved the dilemma in 1942 by the explanation that [[Old Norse]] was a ''translation'' of the [[language of Dale]]. The figure of Gandalf has other influences from Germanic mythology, particularly Odin in his incarnation as "the Wanderer", an old man with one eye, a long white beard, a wide brimmed hat, and a staff: Tolkien states that he thinks of Gandalf as an ''"Odinic wanderer"'' in a letter of 1946.<ref>{{L|107}}</ref>

Tolkien had a postcard labelled ''[[Der Berggeist]]'' ("the mountain spirit"), and on the paper cover in which he kept it, he wrote "the origin of Gandalf" at some point. The postcard reproduces a painting of a bearded figure, sitting on a rock under a pine tree in a mountainous setting. He wears a wide-brimmed round hat and a long cloak and a white fawn is nuzzling his upturned hands.
[[Humphrey Carpenter]] in his 1977 biography said that Tolkien had bought the postcard during his 1911 holiday in Switzerland. However, Manfred Zimmerman discovered that the painting was by German artist Josef Madlener and dates to the late 1920s.<ref>[[Manfred Zimmermann]], "The Origin of Gandalf and Josef Madlener", in ''[[Mythlore]]'' [[Mythlore 34|34]] (Winter [[1983]])</ref> Carpenter concluded that Tolkien was probably mistaken about the origin of the postcard himself. Tolkien must have acquired the card at some time in the early 1930s, at a time when ''The Hobbit'' had already begun to take shape.

==Portrayals in adaptations==
<gallery class="center" mode="nolines" widths="250" heights="150">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gandalf.png|Gandalf in [[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:Sagan om Ringen - Gandalf.png|Gandalf in ''[[Sagan om Ringen (1971 film)|Sagan om Ringen]]''
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gandalf.jpg|Gandalf in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Gandalf.jpg|Gandalf the Grey in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Gandalf the White.jpg|Gandalf the White in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Gandalf the Grey.png|Gandalf the Grey in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Gandalf the White.jpeg|Gandalf the White in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:War in Middle Earth - Gandalf and three hobbits.png|Gandalf in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
File:David T. Wenzel - One Morning in the Shire.jpeg|Gandalf in [[The Hobbit (comic book)|''The Hobbit'' (comic book)]]
File:LOTR-Gandalf 1990-1--1-.png|Gandalf in [[J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (1990 video game)|''J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I'' (1990 video game)]]
File:LOTR vol. 1 SNES Gandalf in the Shire.png|Gandalf in [[J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (SNES)|''J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I'' (SNES)]]
File:1121208-ror 010-1-.png|Gandalf in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's Riders of Rohan]]''
File:Lord of the Rings Adventure Game - Gandalf.jpeg|Gandalf in ''[[Lord of the Rings Adventure Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Gandalf reading the Book of Mazarbul.jpg|Gandalf the Grey in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Gandalf the White.jpg|Gandalf the White in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gandalf.JPG|Gandalf in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
File:Gandalf 2Towers.png|Gandalf in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings- The Two Towers GBA - Gandalf, Frodo and Legolas.png|Gandalf in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)#Game Boy Advance version|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (Game Boy Advance)]]
File:The Hobbit (2003) Gandalf.JPG|Gandalf in ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]''
File:Gandalf EA RotK.png|Gandalf in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings- The Return of the King GBA - Gandalf.png|Gandalf in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (Game Boy Advance)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Gandalf the Grey.png|Gandalf the Grey in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Gandalf the White.jpg|Gandalf the White in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online Shadows of Angmar - Gandalf.png|Gandalf the Grey in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings- Conquest -Gandalf fighting Orcs.png|'''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]''
File:Aragorn's Quest - Gandalf the White.jpg|Gandalf the White in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest]]''
File:Gandalf in LOTR- War in the North-1.png|''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
File:Lego - Gandalf the Grey mini figure.png|Gandalf the Grey as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
File:Guardians of Middle-earth - Gandalf Icon.jpg|Gandalf the Grey in ''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]''
File:The Hobbit (film series) - Gandalf.jpg|Gandalf the Grey in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gandalf's description.jpeg|Gandalf's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
File:Tales of the Shire - Gandalf.png|Gandalf the Grey in ''[[Tales of the Shire: A "The Lord of the Rings" Game]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1967: [[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]:'''
:Gandalf's role is drastically reduced. He lives in a tower, where Thorin, the [[Mika Milovana|princess]] and the guard meet him to discuss the killing of [[Smaug|Slag]]. He introduces them to Bilbo, but does not go on the quest.<ref name="Deitch">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UBnVL1Y2src|articlename=The Hobbit.mp4|dated=5 January 2012|website=YouTube|accessed=10 January 2012}}</ref>

'''1971: [[Sagan om Ringen (1971 film)|''Sagan om Ringen'' (1971 film)]]:'''
:Gandalf is present at the [[Bilbo Baggins]]' [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|111th birthday party]] and dines with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry,]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]]. Later, Frodo recieves [[The One Ring|Bilbo's ring]] as a birthday present and asks Gandalf about its purpose, having previously seen Biblo disappear with it. Gandalf tells Frodo of the forging of 20 magical rings and asks whether there are any marks on Bilbo's. Gandalf throws it into the fireplace, which reveals [[Ring-inscription|text]] on the ring, confirming Gandalf's suspicion that Bilbo's ring is indeed [[The One Ring]]. He encourages Frodo to bring the ring to [[Rivendell]] and participate in the [[Council of Elrond]]. He was imprisoned by [[Saruman|Saruman the Whute]] on [[Orthanc|his highest tower]] and was able to escape by sending a message to the birds and being rescued by the [[Eagles|Eagle]] [[Gwahir]]. He flys to [[Rohan]] and is dropped off. Gandalf is given permission by [[Théoden|the king]] to take a horse for himself. When looking for one, he discovers a a majestic white horse, named [[Shadowfax]] by the [[Men]] of Rohan. Gandalf notes his beauty, speed and the fact that that no man had ever rode him. Gandalf tames him and rides him to the Shire. He narrowly misses the Hobbits who are in the [[Old Forest]]. Gandalf, unable to meet with the Frodo, and his Hobbit friends who agree to accompany him, at the ''[[Prancing Pony|Prancing Pony Inn]]'', writes Frodo a letter, confirming that the man known as Strider is called [[Aragorn]] and is a man to be trusted. Finally arriving at the Prancing Pony, he hears word that Frodo had set off and he spends the night. The next day, [[Bree]] is stormed by [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] and Gandalf pursues them on Shadowfax to [[Weathertop]]. He arrives at Rivendell 3 days before Frodo. When Frodo arrives, he is comatosed by his encounter with the Black Riders. He greets Frodo when he recovers, 4 days after the Hobbit's arrival in Rivendell. He reunites with the Hobbits at the Council in Rivendell and tells the Council members of his journey. He agrees to join the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], which aims to bring the Ring to [[Mordor]] and destroy it. The Fellowship sets off with Gandalf leading the group. They take one final look at the House of Elrond and depart.

'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[John Huston]].

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Gandalf was voiced by [[William Squire]]. [[John A. Neris]] played him in the live-action filming used for rotoscoping.<ref>Jerry Beck, ''The Animated Movie Guide'', p. 154 (at [http://books.google.com/books?id=fTI1yeZd-tkC&pg=PA154&dq=%22John+A.+Neris%22&hl=nl#PPA154,M1 GoogleBooks])</ref>

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:[[John Huston]] reprised his role as Gandalf. In this adaptation, the tale is told by a minstrel of [[Gondor]], yet in the story, Gandalf serves as the narrator. Gandalf the White is portrayed without difference from Gandalf the Grey, in ''The Hobbit''.

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Fairytale Adventures of Mr. Baggins, the Hobbit'' (1985 film)]]:'''
:Ivan Krasko played Gandalf.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Ian McKellen]] was cast as Gandalf. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Perhaps the most striking difference from all other adaptations is the difference between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White. Where earlier no visible or audible difference was made, Gandalf the White is portrayed as much more virile, and with a shorter (and whiter) beard.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Because [[Imrahil]] had been cut from the film, it was up to Gandalf to lead the troops after the madness and death of [[Denethor]].

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:[[Ian McKellen|Sir Ian McKellen]] reprised his role as Gandalf the Grey.<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> A short description of Gandalf in ''The Hobbit'' films was released by the studio:

{{quote|One of the most powerful Wizards in all Middle-earth, Gandalf the Grey joins the quest to reclaim the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor and the great treasure that lies within its stone halls from a fire-breating dragon, Smaug the Terrible. Along the way, Gandalf finds evidence that an ancient evil may have found its way back into the world. In order to uncover the truth, Gandalf must leave his companions to fend for themselves – a journey that will take him into the darkest corners of Middle-earth where his worst suspicions are confirmed.|[[Warner Bros.]]<ref name="HobbitApp">{{webcite|author=[[Warner Bros.]]|articleurl=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hobbit-movies/id545808528|articlename=Hobbit Movies|dated=7-September-2012|website=[http://itunes.apple.com/ Apple iPhone/iPad App]|accessed=19-September-2012}}</ref>}}

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:[[Vesa Vierikko]] played both Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White. He appeared in 6 of 8 episodes.
'''2024: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power|The ''Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'']]'''

:[[Daniel Weyman]] plays "[[The Stranger]]," who is eventually revealed to be Gandalf in a moment of foresight after being called "Grand Elf" by a group of departing [[Stoors]].

===Radio series===
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Norman Shelley]].<ref>{{L|175}}</ref>

'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Heron Carvic]].

'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided [[Bernard Mayes]].

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Bernard Mayes]] reprised his role as Gandalf.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gandalf is played by Bernhard Minetti.

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Michael Hordern]] read the part of Gandalf. He had not read the book, and thought his agent made a mistake in telling him how many episodes he had to do. He did not know Gandalf's early death was temporary.<ref>[[Brian Sibley]], "[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-page-is-still-under-construction_23.html The Ring Goes Ever On: The Making of BBC Radio's ''The Lord of the Rings'']", at ''[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/ Brian Sibley:The Works]''</ref>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gandalf is provided by Karol Machata.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gandalf is played by Manfed Steffen.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gandalf is provided by Martin Huba.

===Games===
'''1982: [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (1982 video game)]]:'''
:Gandalf can be met in several moments of the game's story line.<ref>[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg ''ZX Computing'', iss. 8304, p. 76] reproduced at [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/archive.html World of Spectrum - Archive] (retrieved at 14 August 2010)</ref>

'''1990: [[J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (1990 video game)|''J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I'' (1990 video game)]]:'''
:Gandalf can be "recruited" by [[Frodo Baggins]] as a playable character.

'''1990: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's Riders of Rohan]]'':'''
:Gandalf is one of the main characters of the game and one of the several heroes of the [[Rohan]] faction.

'''1994: [[J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (SNES)|''J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I'' (SNES)]]:'''
:Gandalf can be acquired as a playable character.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Tom Kane]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is a playable character in several levels, including the fight with [[Durin's Bane]].

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:The voice of Gandalf is provided by [[Ian McKellen]]. Gandalf the Grey appears at the campsite of the [[Fellowship of the Ring|fellowship]] in ''The Gates of Moria'' and during the fight of [[Balin's Tomb]] in ''Balin's Tomb''. He latter reappears in the game as Gandalf the White at the start of the mission ''The Plains of Rohan'', where he leaves Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli to search Éomer and his army. He also appears in some cutscenes.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)#Game Boy Advance version|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (Game Boy Advance)]]:'''
:In the [[wikipedia:Game Boy Advance|Game Boy Advance version]] of [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]] Gandalf is a playable character. Gandalf's story starts with a conversation between Gandalf and [[Théoden]], after which the story goes back to the [[Caradhras]], where the Fellowship tries to travel over the [[Misty Mountains]]. When that road fails, the Fellowship goes back and travels through [[Moria]]. In Moria Gandalf and the other member of the Fellowship are separated. After finding [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Aragorn]] and [[Gimli]] the fellowship is attacked by a [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]] and [[Orcs#Orcs and Goblins|Goblins]]. After Gandalf defeats the Cave-troll the Fellowship has to flee for the [[Balrogs|Balrog]]. When they reach the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]] a cutscene is shown, in which Gandalf destroys the bridge and falls with the Balrog in the depths. After the fall Gandalf has to follow the footsteps of the Balrog through the depths of Moria and the [[Endless Stair]] until he reaches [[Durin's Tower]], where he has to defeat the Balrog.

:After being revived he returns as Gandalf the White in Fangorn, where he defeats several [[Trolls]] and [[Crebain]]. After defeating a stronger Forrest troll, named Fangorn troll, Gandalf meets Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. After a cutscene, the game moves to [[Edoras]]. Gandalf heals the corrupted Théoden in Edoras, and then travels through [[Rohan]] in search of [[Éomer]]. Gandalf convinces Éomer to lead his army to [[Helm's Deep]].

:The game ends with the [[Battle of the Hornburg|Battle of Helm's Deep]], in which Gandalf and Éomer fight alongside Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and [[Éowyn]] while protecting the wall, the [[Hornburg]] and the [[Glittering Caves]]. In the final level Gandalf has to destroy the siege weapons that bombard the Hornburg. The game ends with a conversation between Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli and Théoden.

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:[[Jim Ward]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is shown with actual [[magic]]: he can shoot blue bolts of lightning from his staff.

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Gandalf is the narrator, and a playable character. The game is built around him; the cut scene narration shows how he planned for the [[War of the Ring]]. He has several missions, collectively called the "Path of the Wizard". The first is the [[Battle of the Hornburg|Battle of Helm's Deep]], which serves as a training mission. He has to fight [[Uruk-Hai]] in the forest of [[Huorns]] and [[Ents]] in "The Road to Isengard". After that, the missions move to [[Minas Tirith]]: the first mission, "Top of the Wall", has Gandalf warding off ladders and siege towers. In the second, "Courtyard", he has to protect civilians from the invading Orcs. His last playing mission is the [[Battle of the Morannon|Battle of the Black Gate]].

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (Game Boy Advance)]]:'''
:Just like on the console version of the game, Gandalf is a playable character. He has many missions, collectively called the "The Journey of the Wizard". He starts in a flooded [[Isengard]], where he has to kill several [[Uruk-hai]] and [[Crebain]] before he confronts [[Saruman]]. After the defeat of Saruman he travels to [[Minas Tirith]] through Rohan and the Misty Mountains. At the [[Pelennor Fields]] Gandalf has to protect the [[Beacons of Gondor|beacons]], so Rohan can be warned. During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields|Battle of Minas Tirith]] he has to protect the gate, before making his way to the [[House of the Stewards|Steward's Tomb]]. Here Gandalf has to kill Denethor, before he burns [[Faramir]]. After the battle Gandalf travels through [[Ithilien]] to the [[Black Gate]], where he confronts a Nazgûl.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'':'''
:Gandalf, voiced by [[Ian McKellen]], is a character in [[Electronic Arts|EA's]] "alternative [[Fellowship of the Ring|fellowship]]" game. In his battle against Durin's Bane, he is aided by the main characters.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Gandalf is voiced by [[Steven M. Kramer]], renowned for playing older mentor types.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:In non-storyline skirmishes Gandalf is the hero of the Gondor faction, who possesses several magical abilities. At first, he appears as Gandalf "the Grey", and becomes "Gandalf the White" after reaching level 5 (out of 10). Gandalf also narrates the prologue scene, repeating almost word for word the lines said by Galadriel in the ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''.

:His involvement in the storyline is notable for major differences from the original tale. First of all, Gandalf survives his encounter with Balrog, defeating him at the Bridge of Khazad-dum and continues the journey with the Fellowship - by the time of arrival in Lothlorien he already appears as Gandalf the White. He is present during the ambush at [[Amon Hen]], where thanks to his involvement Boromir is saved from certain death. Merry and Pippin are captured regardless and Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir give chase, while Gandalf departs them to see to dealings in Rohan, including freeing of King Théoden from the spell. Following the Battle of Helm's Deep he travels to Minas Tirith along with both Pippin and Boromir, where they participate in the Siege of the city.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Gandalf is a hero for the "Men of the West" faction. Similar to the first game, he appears as Gandalf the Grey initially and Gandalf the White after level 5. He plays no part in the main storyline, but appears in the alternate "evil" campaign: after Sauron reclaims the Ring and lays waste to southern lands, Gandalf and few other survivors meet their end during a last stand in Rivendell.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Gandalf is a non-playable character voiced by [[Harry Chase]], who narrates cutscenes and instances throughout the original game, before the first expansion. He first meets the Dwarven characters in Ered Luin in {{TA|2941}}, shortly before the Quest for Erebor. Later, characters of all races meet him in Bree in October of {{TA|3018}}, but he is too busy with concerns for Frodo and the Ring and merely sends them away to find Radagast. Finally, the players have a chance to have a proper conversation with him in Rivendell, following the Council of Elrond. During that time, Gandalf is involved in several quests, including helping the player wreck havoc among the Goblins stirring at the [[High Pass]]. After the Fellowship leaves Rivendell, players are able to retrace many of their steps, including the marks left by Gandalf such as the Burnt Top in [[Eregion]] and the remains of his fire at the pass of [[Caradhras]]. Later, Lady [[Galadriel]] bids the player to find the signs of Gandalf following his fall from the Bridge of Khazad-dum - said signs include his burnt hat at the Foundations of Stone in Moria and the signs of his struggle with the Balrog at the [[Endless Stair]] - those allow Galadriel to discern that Mithrandir is not truly dead. Players later meet him as Gandalf the White in [[Caras Galadhon]] shortly after the Fellowship has departed Lothlorien. During that time, he engages into a spiritual battle with a Gaunt-Lord Gortheron the Doom-Caller; his display of his new abilities encourages the band of Free People players and allows them to defeat the servant of Sauron.

:Gandalf is also present in several historic "session plays", during which players witness the important events their characters were not present for. Such events include Gandalf infiltrating [[Dol Guldur]] with the help of an Elf named Raddir, first meeting between Gandalf and Aragorn on the outskirts of Lothlorien and Gandalf's imprisonment atop Orthanc by Saruman.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:[[Martin Jarvis]] provides the voice of Gandalf. He is a playable mage hero and has three special powers: "Healing Wisdom", "You Shall not Pass!" and "Cleansing Fire". In the good campaign he appears at the end of the Isengard mission, where he has to kill Saruman in [[Orthanc]]. In Moria he can be played to destroy the [[Balrog]] and in Minas Tirith he has to defend the gates of the second ring. He is also one of the four playable heroes in the last mission, [[The Battle of the Morannon|the battle of the Black Gate]]. He appears as well at the end of the last mission, the Shire, of the evil campaign, in which he is defeated by [[Sauron]].
:He is also playable in the Shire, Isengard, Minas Tirith and Moria with the ''Conquest'' Mode, in Isengard and Minas Tirith in the ''Team Deathmatch'' mode, the citadel of Minas Tirith in ''Capture the Ring'' mode, and at the Black Gate, Minas Morgul, Mount Doom and the Shire during ''Hero Team Deathmatch'' mode.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Gandalf is voiced by [[Tom Kane]], who also narrates the introduction of the game. He tells that heroes like "[[Aragorn|Aragorn the King]]", "[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo the Ringbearer]]" and "'''Gandalf the Wizard'''" are rightly honoured, but that without a few heroes - [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]], [[Andriel]] and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]] - the north of [[Middle-earth]] would have been lost.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>
:He also appears in [[Rivendell]] later in the game. Players can interact with him and learn of various important events, yet the conversations do not unlock any side-quests and do not affect the main story in any way.

'''2012: ''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Gandalf is a mage-type "guardian" with four abilities: ''Narya's Power'', ''Flame of Anor'', ''Fireworks'' and ''Gandalf's Might''.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.guardiansofmiddleearth.co.uk/guardians/gandalf|articlename=''Guardians of Middle-earth'': Gandalf|dated=|website=[http://www.guardiansofmiddleearth.com/ ''Guardians of Middle-earth'' official website]|accessed=16 July 2012}}</ref>

'''2025: ''[[Tales of the Shire: A "The Lord of the Rings" Game]]'':'''
:At the beginning of the game, Gandalf rides in his cart and discovers the player [[Hobbits|Hobbit]], sleeping on a log. He wakes them and helps them up, giving them a ride in his cart to [[Bywater]]. He gives the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]]' map of Bywater and begins to depart. The Hobbit asks him his name and he tells them "[[An Unexpected Party|I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me.]]" before farewelling them and continuing on the road.
{{Notes}}
{{References}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=maiar
| house=[[Maiar|Maia]] of [[Manwë]] & [[Varda]]
| born=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| died=Sailed west on [[29 September]], {{TA|3019}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Saruman]]
| list=Chief of the [[Wizards|Istari]]
| dates=[[5 March]], {{TA|3019}} - [[29 September]], {{TA|3021|n}}
| nvac=None
| next=Position abolished
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Círdan]]
| list=[[Three Keepers|Keeper]] of [[Narya]]
| dates=c. {{TA|1000}} - after [[29 September]], {{TA|3021|n}}
| nvac=None
| next=Presumably, still Gandalf
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=Position established
| list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| dates=[[25 December]], {{TA|3018}} - [[15 January]], {{TA|3019|n}}
| next=[[Aragorn]]
}}
{{seq-end}}{{ainur}}
{{Thorin and Company}}{{companyroute}}
{{councilofelrond}}
{{fellowship}}{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{ringbearers}}{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}

[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Norse names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Wizards]]
[[de:Gandalf]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:istari:gandalf]]
[[fi:Gandalf]]

Arcastar

2026-02-15T11:28:43Z

Quentandil:

'''''Arcastar''''' (pron. {{IPA|[arˈkastar]}}) is the [[Quenya]] rendition of the surname [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] (German ''Tollkühn'' "foolhardy, reckless, desperately brave, rushbold").

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] signed as ''Arcastar [[Mondósar]]esse'' "Tolkien in Oxford" in a [[1968]] letter to the producer of the [[BBC]] documentary ''[[Tolkien in Oxford]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/details.php?reference=72920|articlename=Valuable Print Books and Manuscripts|dated=20 November 2008|website=Tolkienbook.net|accessed=23 September 2014}}</ref>

The exact meaning of ''Arcastar'' is unknown. [[Ryszard Derdziński]] has suggested that ''arcastar'' could possibly mean "translator" (or "one who carries across"), based on his research about the [[Tolkien Family|Tolkien family]] name.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Ryszard Derdziński]]|articleurl=http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/2017/06/arcastar-means-translator.html|articlename=''Arcastar'' means 'Translator'?|dated=16 June 2017|website=[http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/ tolkniety.blogspot.com]|accessed=17 June 2017}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Lambengolmor (mailing list)|Lambengolmor]] discussion "Tolkien in Oxford": [https://tolkienlistsearch.herokuapp.com/message/5e9c3604acad32fd587a39cb 9.32 (Anders Stenström)], [https://tolkienlistsearch.herokuapp.com/message/5e9c3604acad32fd587a39cc 9.33 (Carl F. Hostetter)], [https://tolkienlistsearch.herokuapp.com/message/5e9c3604acad32fd587a39cd 9.34 (Roman Rausch)], [https://tolklang.quettar.org/messages/lambengolmor-mirror/009nn/00949 9.49 (Jerome Colburn)].

{{references}}
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[fi:Arcastar]]

Arcastar

2026-02-15T11:28:16Z

Quentandil: Reverted edit by Unireverse (talk) to last revision by Dour1234

{{Merge|J.R.R. Tolkien}}
'''''Arcastar''''' (pron. {{IPA|[arˈkastar]}}) is the [[Quenya]] rendition of the surname [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] (German ''Tollkühn'' "foolhardy, reckless, desperately brave, rushbold").

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] signed as ''Arcastar [[Mondósar]]esse'' "Tolkien in Oxford" in a [[1968]] letter to the producer of the [[BBC]] documentary ''[[Tolkien in Oxford]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/details.php?reference=72920|articlename=Valuable Print Books and Manuscripts|dated=20 November 2008|website=Tolkienbook.net|accessed=23 September 2014}}</ref>

The exact meaning of ''Arcastar'' is unknown. [[Ryszard Derdziński]] has suggested that ''arcastar'' could possibly mean "translator" (or "one who carries across"), based on his research about the [[Tolkien Family|Tolkien family]] name.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Ryszard Derdziński]]|articleurl=http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/2017/06/arcastar-means-translator.html|articlename=''Arcastar'' means 'Translator'?|dated=16 June 2017|website=[http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/ tolkniety.blogspot.com]|accessed=17 June 2017}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Lambengolmor (mailing list)|Lambengolmor]] discussion "Tolkien in Oxford": [https://tolkienlistsearch.herokuapp.com/message/5e9c3604acad32fd587a39cb 9.32 (Anders Stenström)], [https://tolkienlistsearch.herokuapp.com/message/5e9c3604acad32fd587a39cc 9.33 (Carl F. Hostetter)], [https://tolkienlistsearch.herokuapp.com/message/5e9c3604acad32fd587a39cd 9.34 (Roman Rausch)], [https://tolklang.quettar.org/messages/lambengolmor-mirror/009nn/00949 9.49 (Jerome Colburn)].

{{references}}
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[fi:Arcastar]]

J.R.R. Tolkien

2026-02-15T11:26:53Z

Quentandil: Reverted edits by Unireverse (talk) to last revision by Grond

{{short description|Architect of Arda}}
{{disambig-more|J.R.R. Tolkien|[[J.R.R. Tolkien (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-more|Tolkien|[[Tolkien (disambiguation)]]}}
{{author infobox
| image=J.R.R. Tolkien, ca. 1925.jpg
| name=J.R.R. Tolkien
| born=[[3 January]] [[1892]] [[Bloemfontein]], [[Orange Free State]]
| died=[[2 September]] [[1973]] (aged 81 years) [[Bournemouth]], England
| education=[[University of Oxford]]
| occupation=Academic Author Philologist Poet
| location=[[Wikipedia:United Kingdom|United Kingdom]]
| website=[http://www.tolkienestate.com Tolkien: The official site of the Tolkien Estate]
}}

{{quote|I said, outside Lichfield Cathedral, to a friend of my youth – long since dead of gas-gangrene (God rest his soul: I grieve still) – ‘Why is that cloud so beautiful?’ He said: ‘Because you have begun to write poetry, John Ronald.’ He was wrong. It was because Death was near, and all was intolerably fair, lost ere grasped. That was why I began to write poetry.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], footnote to [[Letter 43]] to [[Michael Tolkien]]}}

'''John Ronald Reuel Tolkien''', [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]], ([[3 January]], [[1892]] – [[2 September]], [[1973]]) was a philologist and writer, best known as the author of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and its sequel ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. He worked as reader and professor in English language at the [[University of Leeds]] from [[1920]] to [[1925]]; as professor of [[Old English|Anglo-Saxon]] language at the [[University of Oxford]] from [[1925]] to [[1945]]; and of English language and literature from [[1945]] until his retirement in [[1959]]. Tolkien was a close friend of [[C.S. Lewis]], and a member of the [[Inklings]], a literary discussion group to which both Lewis, [[Owen Barfield]], and various other celebrated authors belonged.

Tolkien created a ''[[legendarium]]'', a fictional mythology about the remote past of Earth, of which [[Middle-earth]] in particular is the main stage. Included in his legendarium are ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'' along with ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' and ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'' series (both posthumously published by his son, [[Christopher Tolkien]]). Tolkien's other published works include philological essays, modern adaptations of medieval literature and other stories not directly related to the legendarium, many of which were originally stories written for his children. Tolkien is often referred to as the "father" of modern fantasy and is widely regarded as one of the most influential authors of all time.

==Biography==
===Family ancestry===
:''See also: [[Tolkien Family]] & [[Suffield Family]]''

Many of Tolkien's paternal ancestors were craftsmen.<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Ryszard Derdziński]]|articleurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183343/http://www.elendilion.pl/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/TolkienAncestry.pdf|articlename=On J.R.R. Tolkien's Roots in Gdańsk|dated=November 2017|website=|accessed=24 February 2024}}</ref> According to Tolkien's own understanding,<ref group="note">As [[Ryszard Derdziński]] points out, Tolkien's knowledge of his family history came primarily from family legends.</ref> the [[Tolkien Family]] had its roots in Saxony (present-day Germany), but had been living in England since the 18th century, becoming "quickly and intensely English (not British)".<ref name="l165">{{L|165}}</ref> Tolkien believed that the name ''Tolkien'' was the anglicised form of ''Tollkiehn'' (i.e. German: ''[[Wiktionary:tollkühn|tollkühn]]'', "foolhardy", the etymological English calque would be "dull-keen", a literal translation of "oxymoron").<ref name="l324">{{L|324}}</ref> Research by linguist [[Ryszard Derdziński]] suggests that the family is of Low Prussian descent and consequently, the name is of [[Wikipedia:Old Prussian language|Old Prussian]] origin and probably means "son/descendant of Tolk".<ref>[[Ryszard Derdziński]], Z Prus do Anglii. Saga rodziny J. R. R. Tolkiena</ref> Tolkien was dismissive of this theory.<ref>{{L|349}}</ref> Tolkien's name was often misspelt ''[[Tolkein]]'', a source of irritation for him.<ref name="l324" /><ref>{{L|347}}</ref>

The [[Suffield Family]] had its origin in the small town of [[Evesham]], Worcestershire and for that reason he considered Worcestershire to be a home to him.<ref name="l44" /> By the time Tolkien was born, most of the family lived in [[Birmingham]].<ref name="BII" /> After [[Arthur Tolkien]]'s death and being raised around the Suffields, he developed a strong affection for them and later wrote "though a Tolkien by name, I am a Suffield by tastes, talents, and upbringing, and any corner of that county [Worcestershire] (however fair or squalid) is in an indefinable way 'home' to me, as no other part of the world is."<ref name="BII" /><ref name="l165" /><ref name="l44" />

===Childhood===
[[File:1984 Commemorative Plaque.JPG|thumb|left|[[Plaques and Memorials|Plaque]] commemorating J.R.R. Tolkien's birthplace on President Steyn Avenue, [[Bloemfontein]].]]

Tolkien was born on [[3 January]] [[1892]], in [[Bloemfontein]] in the [[Orange Free State]] (now the Free State province of South Africa) to [[Arthur Tolkien|Arthur Reuel Tolkien]] ([[1857]] – [[1896]]), an English bank manager, and his wife [[Mabel Tolkien|Mabel, ''née'' Suffield]] ([[1870]] – [[1904]]). He was addressed by his family as “Ronald” as it had no history of use in the Tolkien family.<ref name="BII" /> He was christened later that month, on [[31 January]] at the [https://bloemcathedral.co.za/cathedral-history/ Cathedral of St. Andrew and St. Michael].<ref name="BII" />

Around the time he was learning to walk, he was bitten by a large tarantula,<ref group="note">Likely a baboon spider as they are the only tarantula species native to South Africa.</ref> which many believe echoes in his stories.<ref name="BII" /><ref>{{Cite web|author= Emmet Asher-Perrin|articleurl=https://reactormag.com/we-can-probably-blame-the-tarantula-that-bit-j-r-r-tolkien-for-most-giant-spiders-in-fantasy/|articlename=We Can Probably Blame the Tarantula That Bit J.R.R. Tolkien For Most Giant Spiders in Fantasy|dated=4 November 2016|website=[https://reactormag.com/ Reactor Magazine]|accessed=31 March 2024}}</ref> However, Tolkien insisted that he did not develop a particular fear of spiders after this event, and when he was older, recalled picking small spiders up and putting them outside.<ref name="l163" /> Tolkien had one sibling, his younger brother, [[Hilary Tolkien|Hilary Arthur Reuel]], who was born on [[17 February]] [[1894]] when Tolkien was age two.<ref name="BII" />

Tolkien's health struggled in the South African environment, and as a result, he was forced to remain inside much of the day because of the heat. Believing that cooler air would help, when he was three, Tolkien's mother brought him and Hilary to England on what was intended to be a lengthy family visit. During this visit, his father died in South Africa of a severe brain haemorrhage before he could join them. This left the family without an income, so Tolkien's mother took him to live with her parents in [[Birmingham]], England. Soon after in [[1896]], they moved to Sarehole (now in Hall Green), then a Worcestershire village, later annexed to Birmingham. Tolkien later described his years in Sarehole as the most formative of his life.<ref name="BII" />

Mabel tutored her two sons, and Tolkien was a keen pupil. She taught him a great deal of botany, and she awoke in her son the enjoyment of the look and feel of plants. But his favourite lessons were those concerning languages. His mother taught him the rudiments of [[Latin]] very early. He could read by the age of four and could write fluently soon afterwards. The first story Tolkien could remember writing was a story about a [[Dragon]] written at about the age of 7, and later all he could recall of it was being perplexed by the rules regarding English adjective order.<ref name="BII">{{B|II}}</ref><ref name="l163" />

After originally failing the entrance exam in [[1899]], Tolkien was enrolled at [[King Edward's School]] in [[1900]]. Trains were too expensive and the trams did not run to their house so the 8-year-old Tolkien was forced to walk 8 miles to school every day. Shortly after they moved to a house in Moseley, a suburb of Birmingham, nearer to the city centre.<ref name="BII" /> While a student at King Edward's he helped "line the route" for the coronation parade of King George V, being posted just outside the gates of Buckingham Palace.<ref name="l306" />

His mother converted to Roman Catholicism in [[1900]], and afterwards raised her sons Catholic, despite vehement protests by her Anglican family. For the rest of his life, Tolkien felt that she had become a martyr for her faith; this had a profound effect on his own Catholic beliefs.<ref name="l44">{{L|44}}</ref> In [[1902]] she enrolled her sons at St Philip's Grammar School, where they could receive a Catholic education with a lower tuition and they moved to a house next door to the school. Tolkien quickly outpaced his classmates so after receiving a scholarship his mother pulled him out and reenrolled him in King Edward's School.<ref name="BII" />
[[File:Ronald and Hilary Tolkien.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Ronald and Hilary Tolkien in 1905]]
In April of [[1904]], Mabel Tolkien was hospitalized and diagnosed with diabetes and Tolkien went to stay with his Aunt [[Jane Neave|Jane]]. When she was well enough, they moved to a cottage in [[Wikipedia:Rednal|Rednal]] where she could recover in the country air. Unfortunately, his mother's health began to deteriorate again and she died on [[14 November]] after six days in a diabetic coma leaving the 10 and 12 year old, Hilary and Ronald.<ref name="BII" />

During his subsequent orphanhood, he was under the guardianship of [[Francis Xavier Morgan]] of the [[Birmingham Oratory]]. Where they should be raised quickly became an issue; several family members wished to contest Mable Tolkien's will and send them to a protestant boarding school but a few weeks after their mother's death they were sent to live with their aunt [[Beatrice Suffield]]. She was not a very caring guardian, at one point burning their mother's letters, not realizing they would want to keep them. As a result, they would end up spending much of their time at the Oratory which they came to view as their true home. In [[1908]] they moved to [[37 Duchess Road]] where a Mrs Faulkner gave them a room.<ref name="BII" />
===Youth===
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - 1911.jpg|left|thumb|150px|J.R.R. Tolkien in 1911]]
While living at 37 Duchess Road, Tolkien met and fell in love with [[Edith Tolkien|Edith Mary Bratt]], three years his senior, at the age of sixteen.<ref name="BII" /> After learning of their relationship, Father Francis forbade him from meeting, talking, or even corresponding with her until he was twenty-one.<ref name="l43">{{L|43}}</ref> They only once tried to disobey this rule but after Father Francis found out they didn't see each other aside from accidental sightings for another three years.<ref name="BII" />

In [[1911]], while they were at King Edward's School, Tolkien and three friends, [[Robert Quilter Gilson]], [[Christopher Wiseman]], and later [[Geoffrey Bache Smith]], formed a semi-secret society which they called "the [[T.C.B.S.]]", the initials standing for "Tea Club and Barrovian Society", alluding to their fondness of drinking tea in Barrow's Stores near the school and, illegally, in the school library. After leaving school, the members stayed in touch, and on [[25 December]] [[1914]], they held a "Council" in London, at Wiseman's home. For Tolkien, the result of this meeting was a strong dedication to writing poetry.<ref name="BII" />

In the summer of 1911, Tolkien went on holiday in Switzerland, a trip that he recollects vividly in [[Letter 306|a 1968 letter]], noting that Bilbo's journey across the [[Misty Mountains]] ("including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods") is directly based on his adventures as their party of twelve hiked from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, and on to camp in the moraines beyond Mürren. Fifty-seven years later, Tolkien remembered his regret at leaving the view of the eternal snows of Jungfrau and Silberhorn ("the Silvertine ([[Celebdil]]) of my dreams"). They went across the Kleine Scheidegg on to Grindelwald and across the Grosse Scheidegg to Meiringen. They continued across the Grimsel Pass and through the upper Valais to Brig, and on to the Aletsch Glacier and Zermatt.<ref name="l306">{{L|306}}</ref>

[[File:Tolkien (1915–9) Colorized.png|thumb|Tolkien wearing his British Army uniform in a photograph from 1916 (colourized)]]

On the evening of his twenty-first birthday ([[1913]]), Tolkien wrote to Edith a declaration of his love and asked her to marry him. She replied saying that she was already engaged, but had done so because she had believed Tolkien had forgotten her. The two met up and beneath a railway viaduct renewed their love, with Edith returning her ring and choosing to marry Tolkien instead. They were engaged in Birmingham, in January [[1913]], and married on [[22 March]] [[1916]].<ref name="BII" /><ref name="l43" />

Tolkien and Edith had four children: [[John Tolkien|John Francis Reuel]] ([[16 November]] [[1917]] - [[22 January]] [[2003]])<ref name="bustle">{{Cite web|author=Danielle Burgos|articleurl=https://www.bustle.com/p/what-happened-to-jrr-tolkiens-children-they-all-dealt-with-their-fathers-considerable-legacy-differently-17854171?scrlybrkr=b21a79f2|articlename=How J.R.R. Tolkien’s Children Dealt With Their Legendary Father’s Legacy|dated=9 May 2019|website=[https://www.bustle.com/ Bustle]|accessed=22 March 2024}}</ref>, [[Michael Tolkien|Michael Hilary Reuel]] ([[22 October]] [[1920]] - [[27 February]] [[1984]])<ref name="bustle" />, [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher John Reuel]] ([[21 November]] [[1924]] - [[16 January]], [[2020]])<ref>{{Cite web|author= Katharine Q. Seelye; Alan Yuhas|articleurl=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/books/christopher-tolkien-dead.html|articlename=Christopher Tolkien, Keeper of His Father's Legacy, Dies at 95|dated=16 January 2020|website=[https://www.nytimes.com/ The New York Times]|accessed=22 March 2024}}</ref> and [[Priscilla Tolkien|Priscilla Anne Reuel]] ([[18 June]] [[1929]] - [[28 February]] [[2022]])<ref>{{Cite web|author=Daniel Helen|articleurl=https://www.tolkiensociety.org/2022/03/priscilla-tolkien-has-died/|articlename=Priscilla Tolkien has died|dated=2 March 2022|website=[https://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=22 March 2024}}</ref>.

By late 1914, his final year at the [[University of Oxford]], he joined the Officer's Training Corps. After his graduation (Exeter College, [[Oxford]]) with a first-class degree in English language in [[1915]], Tolkien joined the British Army effort in [[World War I]]. In late 1915 he received military training at Rugeley Camp in Staffordshire<ref>{{L|3}}</ref> and served as a second lieutenant in the eleventh battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers.<ref name="BII" />

Tolkien's battalion was moved to France on [[4 June]] 1916 where Tolkien served as a communications officer during the [[Battle of the Somme]], until he came down with trench fever on [[27 October]], and was moved back to England on [[8 November]]. Many of his fellow servicemen, as well as many of his closest friends, were killed in the war. During his recovery in a cottage in [[Great Haywood]], Staffordshire, England, he began to work on what he called ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', beginning with ''[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]''. Throughout [[1917]] and [[1918]], his illness kept recurring, but he had recovered enough to do home service at various camps, and was promoted to lieutenant. While he was stationed at Thirtle Bridge, East Yorkshire, he and Edith went on a walk in the woods at nearby Roos, and Edith began to dance for him in a clearing thick with hemlock plants in bloom. This incident inspired the account of the meeting of [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]].<ref name="BIII" /><ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Bill Cater]]|articleurl=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4726863/We-talked-of-love-death-and-fairy-tales.html|articlename=We talked of love, death and fairy tales|dated=4 December 2001|website=[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ The Telegraph Online]|accessed=13 January 2024}}</ref> Tolkien would later write in [[Letter 340|a letter]] to his son [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher]] that he considered Edith to be his Lúthien.<ref>{{L|340}}</ref>

===Leeds and Oxford===
Tolkien's first civilian job after World War I was at the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]''.<ref name="gilliver">Peter M. Gilliver, [[Proceedings of the J.R.R. Tolkien Centenary Conference|''Mythlore'' 80]], "[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol21/iss2/ At the Wordface: J.R.R. Tolkien's Work on the Oxford English Dictionary]"</ref> He later said of this, "I learned more in those two years than in any other equal period of my life".<ref name="BIII" /> In [[1920]] he took up a post as Reader in English language at the [[University of Leeds]],<ref name="l7">{{L|7}}</ref> and in [[1924]] was made a professor there.<ref name="BIII">{{B|III}}</ref> The start was rough: though Gordon found Tolkien a room in Leeds,<ref>{{L|46}}</ref> Edith and young John still lived in [[Oxford]]. Not until [[1921]] did Tolkien get full housing for his family, first at [[5 Holly Bank]]<ref name="Chronology1921">{{CG|C}}, "1921"</ref> and then at [[11 St. Mark's Terrace]].<ref name="BIII" /> They later moved to [[2 Darnley Road]].<ref name="BIII" />

Since [[1920]], Tolkien dedicated his time, even vacations, to finding extra work to supplement his family's income, especially for doctor bills<ref group="note">[[Christopher Tolkien]] suffered from a heart ailment.</ref> and to educate his children. He "stole" some free time for himself and his personal hobby of writing his own mythology.<ref name="l17" />

In 1925, [[William Craigie]] resigned from the post of [[Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon]] at Pembroke College, Oxford and Tolkien wrote a letter expressing his desire to return there,<ref name="l7" /> and was offered the position. During this time some of Tolkien's writings were published in local magazines such as [[The Gryphon, Vol.4 No.3|''The Gryphon'']] and he had several poems published in ''[[Northern Venture]]''.<ref name="BII" />

While at a Pembroke College faculty meeting, Tolkien met fellow professor [[C.S. Lewis]]. While initially wary of each other, the two men would become close friends. Their discussions, which often centred around religion, were an influence on Lewis's conversion to Christianity, though it would upset Tolkien when Lewis converted to Anglicanism rather than Catholicism.<ref name="BIV">{{B|IV}}</ref> After [[Wikipedia:Tangye Lean|Tangye Lean]] graduated Oxford, Tolkien and several friends took over the [[Inklings]] forming it into the group it is known as today. The informal literary discussion group consisted of Tolkien, C.S. and [[Warren Lewis]], [[Owen Barfield]], [[Hugo Dyson]], [[Robert Havard]] and other writers.<ref name="BIV" /> The Inklings were often the first to read Tolkien's manuscripts and their feedback was influential on his writing.
===''The Hobbit''===
It was during his time as Professor of [[Old English|Anglo-Saxon]] at Pembroke College, in the late 1920s, that he semi-randomly scribbled the words "In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit" on the back of a School Certificate paper that he was marking. These words evolved into a story like the ones he was making up for his children. He did not go any further than that at the time, although in the following years, he drew up [[Thrór's Map]].<ref name="l163">{{L|163}}</ref>

The tale itself he wrote in the early 1930s. It was mostly enjoyed by his eldest son [[John Tolkien|John]] (13) than the younger ones.<ref name="l15" /> His peers at Oxford also "forced" him to lend copies to read.<ref name="l15">{{L|15}}</ref> Eventually he lent it to the Reverend Mother Superior of the Cherwell Edge girl's hostel and to his former pupil [[Elaine Griffiths]] who was staying at Cherwell Edge, and it was seen by her student, Susan Dagnall, who worked at [[Allen & Unwin]]. The book was given to 10-year-old [[Rayner Unwin|Rayner]] (son of Sir [[Stanley Unwin]]) who wrote an enthusiastic review of the book, encouraging his father to publish it.<ref name="L294">{{L|294}}</ref>

The [[1936]] lecture "[[Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics]]" has had a lasting influence on ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]'' research.<ref>Patrick Ringwalk, ''The Times of Bede: Studies in Early English Christian Society and its Historian''</ref>
By [[January]] of [[1937]] Tolkien was corresponding with Allen & Unwin (who also showed interest in ''[[Mr. Bliss]]'').<ref>{{L|9}}</ref> Around the time ''The Hobbit'' was published ([[1937]]) Tolkien suffered from an ailment and had to use crutches, the only time he was free from examining work.<ref name="l105">{{L|105}}</ref>

===''The Lord of the Rings''===
:''See also: [[The Lord of the Rings#Writing process|The Lord of the Rings § Writing process]]''
The success of ''The Hobbit'' and a request by publishers for its sequel, was an opportunity for Tolkien to combine his personal desire for writing and financial needs, and he agreed to write a sequel.<ref name="l17">{{L|17}}</ref>

In the turn of [[1939]], and in the midst of writing ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien faced financial stress and was obliged to do exams and lectures: his son, Michael was preparing for university, and Christopher, being home-schooled for health reasons, wanted to go to school.<ref name="L35" /> In the summer of that year, while gardening, Tolkien fell and suffered a concussion which required stitches.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 21</ref> This, along with his fatigue, worries, obligations, Edith's illness, his loss of his chief assistant and understudy, prevented him from continuing his writing, including a [[Beowulf and the Finnsburg Fragment|foreword to ''Beowulf'']] as had promised.<ref name="L35" /> At the outbreak of WWII, his academic duties increased.<ref>{{FR|Foreword}}</ref> Juggling between work, "Civil Defence" and writing in intervals, he doubted that, because of the War, completing the book had any use.<ref>{{L|47}}</ref> Failing to progress during Christmas vacations, he resumed only [[1944|two years later]]. It was the enthusiasm of his friends and Christopher (to whom he was sending copies by mail to South Africa) who encouraged him to continue.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 25</ref>

[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - TLOTR covers original design.jpg|thumb|[[The Lord of the Rings/Original dust-jacket designs|Cover design]] for the three volumes of ''The Lord of the Rings'' designed by J.R.R. Tolkien]]

In [[1945]], he moved to [[Merton College]], Oxford, becoming the Merton Professor of English Language and Literature, in which post he remained until his retirement in [[1959]].

Tolkien spent the late summer (August-September) of [[1948]], at the home of Michael at Payables Farm, Woodcote. As Michael and his family were on holiday, Tolkien found the time and quiet he needed to finish ''The Lord of the Rings'', close to a decade after the first sketches.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 27</ref>

After a disagreement with Allen & Unwin concerning "The Silmarillion", and failing to reach an agreement with [[Collins]], he settled the dispute with the Unwins. He reported to [[Rayner Unwin]] that he had been unwell (having recovered from "a terrible bout" of fibrositis and neuritis of the arm) burdened and downhearted. In the prospect of a nearing retirement of poverty, during which he would work as an examiner to survive, and the rising paper costs, he had modified his views ("Better something than nothing!").<ref>{{L|133}}</ref> Tolkien readily agreed to the 'profit-sharing' arrangement, where Tolkien would not receive an advance or royalties until the books had broken even.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 32</ref> Between [[1953]] and [[1955]] Tolkien worked closely with Allen & Unwin on the production of ''The Lord of the Rings'', agreeing on the division of volumes, their titles, correcting proofs that arrived at intervals, complete and correct artwork, the maps and the dust-jacket designs.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 34</ref>

In 1954 Tolkien was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from both the [[Wikipedia:National University of Ireland|National University of Ireland]] and the [[Wikipedia:University of Liège|University of Liège]] for his work in his field of philology and medieval literature which delayed his work on the [[The Lord of the Rings Appendices|appendices]],<ref name="BVI">{{B|VI}}</ref> which then delayed the publication of ''The Return of the King''.<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Patricia Reynolds]]|articleurl=https://www.tolkiensociety.org/app/uploads/2016/11/LOTR-The-Tale-of-a-Text.pdf|articlename=The Lord of the Rings: The Tale of a Text|dated=|website=[https://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=12 June 2024}}</ref>
===Later life and recognition===
[[File:Jrrt_1972_tree.jpg|thumb|200px|The last known photograph of Tolkien, taken 9 August 1973, next to one of his favourite trees (a ''Pinus nigra'') in the Botanic Garden, Oxford|300px]]
During the 1950s, Tolkien spent many of his long academic holidays at the home of his son John Francis in Stoke-on-Trent, visiting his brother Hilary while he was there.<ref name="BVII">{{B|VII}}</ref>

In [[1959]] Tolkien went to compulsory retirement, which he found "both distressing, and extremely laborious", especially with his less than desirable pension.<ref>'''J.R.R. Tolkien'''; [[Letter to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski (December 1959)]]</ref> For him, [[1963]] was a "dreadful year", including the death of C.S. Lewis ([[22 November]]), an illness that prevented Tolkien and Edith from celebrating Christmas, and after that, [[Faith Faulconbridge]] leaving Christopher; Tolkien expressed "fear they have left their allegiance to our Mother [the Church]".<ref>'''J.R.R. Tolkien'''; [[Letter to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski (20–26 January 1964)]]</ref> In the 1960s he complained about the effects of old age, and other difficulties and anxieties, some of which were caused by his own family.<ref>'''J.R.R. Tolkien'''; [[Letters to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski (unknown date)]]</ref>

By the time of his retirement, Tolkien increasingly turned into a figure of public attention and literary fame. While at first, he wrote enthusiastic answers to reader inquiries, he became more and more suspicious of emerging [[fandom]]. In a [[1965]] letter, he warned [[W.H. Auden]] not to join the New York Tolkien Society, believing them to be "real lunatics",<ref>{{L|275}}</ref> and shortly after declined to join the [[Tolkien Society of America]] but wrote that he was complimented and would be happy to help them in an informal capacity.<ref>{{L|276}}</ref>

Fan attention became so intense that he and Edith moved to [[Woodridings]] in Branksome, Poole near [[Bournemouth]] to escape his fame in [[Oxford]] in June [[1968]],<ref name="TL838" /> and got two phone numbers, one a private number only given out to friends and family.<ref>{{L|332}}</ref> While preparing to move house, Tolkien fell down a set of stairs and had to stay in an [[Oxford]] hospital, leaving behind his obligations. He was expected to use crutches all summer.<ref>{{L|305}}</ref>

Queen Elizabeth II appointed [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours of [[1 January]] [[1972]] "For services to English Literature".<ref>{{Cite web|articleurl=http://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45554/supplement/9|articlename=Supplement to the London Gazette, p. 9|website=The London Gazette|dated=1 January 1 1972}}</ref> Tolkien received the insignia of the Order at Buckingham Palace on [[28 March]].<ref>{{L|334}}</ref> Later that year, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Oxford University for his contributions to the field of philology.<ref name="BVII" />

The Tolkiens lived in Poole until Edith's death on [[November]] [[1971]].<ref name="TL838">{{Cite web|author=Pieter Collier|articleurl=http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/838-Own_a_Piece_of_Tolkien_History.php|articlename=Here is your chance to own a piece of Tolkien history|dated=9 July 2008|website=[[TolkienLibrary.com]]|accessed=}}</ref> The widowed professor moved back to 21 Merton Street, Oxford in March 1972.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Rodney Legg|articleurl=http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2009/11/tolkien-in-bournemouth-and-dorset/|articlename=Tolkien in Bournemouth and Dorset|dated=November 2009|website=Dorset Life|accessed=}}</ref><ref>{{L|333}}</ref> Tolkien had the name ''Luthien'' engraved on the stone at [[Wolvercote Cemetery]], Oxford. When Tolkien died 21 months later of pneumonia on [[2 September]] [[1973]], at the age of 81, he was buried in the same grave, with ''Beren'' added to his name,<ref>{{B|VIII}}</ref> so that the engraving now reads:
:''Edith Mary Tolkien, Luthien, 1889 – 1971''
:''John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, Beren, 1892 – 1973''
==Appearance==
{{blockquote|It has beautiful hands and ears (very long fingers) very light hair, ‘Tolkien’ eyes and very distinctly a ‘Suffield’ mouth. In general effect immensely like a very fair edition of its Aunt Mabel Mitton.|Arthur Tolkien in a letter written the day after Tolkien's birth<ref name=BII/>}}

The early images of J.R.R. Tolkien in school and university show a serious young man, average height, slender, clean-shaven, and with his hair parted in the middle. At school he was considered too light for the rugby team, and in order to join he tried to make it up with ferocity during the game, and eventually he was accepted.<ref>{{L|16}}</ref> During Tolkien's time at King Edward's School he was noted for his choice in coloured socks.<ref>{{L|58}}</ref> By [[1916]] Tolkien had joined the army he had changed to a more conventional haircut, as well as a moustache for a short period of time.<ref name="BIII" />

[[Clyde S. Kilby]], who spent some time with Tolkien in the summer of [[1966]], noted that he "was always neatly dressed from necktie to shoes. One of his favourite suits was a herringbone with which he wore a green corduroy vest [waistcoat]. Always there was a vest, and nearly always a sports coat. He did not mind wearing a very broad necktie which in those days was out of style".<ref>[[Clyde S. Kilby]], ''[[Tolkien and the Silmarillion]]'' ([[1976]]), p. 24</ref> [[Dick Plotz|Richard Plotz]], who visited Tolkien that same year, described him as
{{blockquote|...a medium-sized man ... [who] looks much younger than his seventy-four years. Like one of his creations, the Hobbits, he is a bit fat in the stomach ...|"J.R.R. Tolkien Talks about the Discovery of Middle-earth, the Origins of Elvish", ''[[Seventeen]]'' (January [[1967]]), p. 92}}

In a letter on [[8 February]] [[1967]], to interviewers Charlotte & Denis Plimmer, Tolkien stated that he was not "tall, or strongly built. I now measure 5 ft 8 1/2, and am slightly built, with notably small hands. For most of my life I have been very thin and underweight. Since my early sixties I have become 'tubby'. Not unusual in men who took their exercise in games and swimming, when opportunities for these things cease".<ref name="L294" /> In "[[The Man Who Understands Hobbits]]", the Plimmers also noted that Tolkien had 'grey eyes, firm tanned skin, silvery hair and quick decisive speech'.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Charlotte and Denis Plimmer|articleurl=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/04/19/jrr-tolkien-film-my-books-its-easier-to-film-the-odyssey/|articlename=JRR Tolkien: 'Film my books? It's easier to film The Odyssey'|dated=19 April 2016|website=Telegraph|accessed=26 January 2020}}</ref>

Tolkien had a particular liking for decorative waistcoats: he told one correspondent that he had "one or two choice embroidered specimens, which I sometimes wear when required to make a speech, as I find they so fascinate the eyes of the audience that they do not notice if my dentures become a little loose with excitements of rhetoric"<ref>'''J.R.R. Tolkien'''; [[Letter to Nancy Smith (Christmas 1963)]]</ref>

Interviewers have noted that Tolkien almost clung to his smoking pipe, cradling it in his hand, or speaking with it in his mouth, sometimes making him difficult to understand. One of these, Richard Plotz, wrote that Tolkien "took out a pipe as he entered his study, and all during the interview he held it clenched in his teeth, lighting and relighting it, talking through it; he never removed it from his mouth for more than five seconds".<ref>{{CG|II}}</ref>

==Character, personality, views==
Tolkien attempted to describe himself for [[Deborah Rogers]]:
{{blockquote|I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size). I like gardens, trees and unmechanized farmlands; I [[smoking|smoke]] a pipe, and like good plain food (unrefrigerated), but detest French cooking; I like, and even dare to wear in these dull days, ornamental waistcoats. I am fond of [[mushrooms]] (out of a field); have a very simple sense of humour (which even my appreciative critics find tiresome); I go to bed late and get up late (when possible). I do not travel much. I love Wales (what is left of it, when mines, and the even more ghastly sea-side reasons, have done their worst), and especially the [[Welsh]] language. But I have not in fact been in W. for a long time (except for crossing it on the way to Ireland). I go frequently to Ireland (Eire: Southern Ireland) being fond of it and of (most of) its people; but the Irish language I find wholly unattractive.|[[Letter 213]]}}

Tolkien was a devout [[Christianity|Roman Catholic]]. While his parents were both raised [[Wikipedia:Anglican|Anglican]], his mother converted to Catholicism when Tolkien was 8 years old. His mother's death had a profound impact on his religious beliefs and he came to view her as a martyr, citing stress from persecution (in large part from her intolerant family) as a root of her health issues.<ref name="BII" /><ref>{{L|267}}</ref> While his writings were not an allegory for Christianity, they contained religious elements.<ref>{{L|211}}</ref>

Tolkien had a great love for nature. He was especially fond of plants, and trees most of all,<ref name="l165" /> which may have been inspired by his father's garden and tree grove which Tolkien spent much time in as a child along with his mother's teaching of botany. He was saddened to learn that others didn't share his love for trees, one event that stuck with him was when as a child, a willow tree he enjoyed climbing was cut down only for the log to remain there unused.<ref name="BII" /> Tolkien had an intense dislike for the side effects of industrialization, which he considered a devouring of the English countryside. For most of his adult life, aside from a short period in which he owned a car (in which his driving was described as terrible, to the point that Edith refused to be in the car with him), he eschewed automobiles, preferring to ride a bicycle.<ref name="BIV" /> This attitude is perceptible in some parts of his work, such as the forced industrialization of [[The Shire]] in ''The Lord of the Rings''.

In retrospect, Tolkien claimed that from the age of seven or eight, two interests dominated his subsequent perception of everything: [[elves]] and [[orcs]].<ref group="note">It is not clear what he meant by this; possibly he understood the world as a struggle between people and elements who create beauty and do good; and those people or forces who defile and destroy nature or the "elves'" works.</ref> Throughout his life he collected every detail related to it, which, along with the "[[Atlantis-haunting|Atlantis complex]]" dream, was the embryo of his [[legendarium]].<ref>'''J.R.R. Tolkien'''; [[Letter to Maria Mroczkowska]]</ref>

Jesting on the name of [[Puffin Books]], Tolkien said he disliked penguins and puffins for eating other birds's eggs.<ref>{{L|225}}</ref> He considered that Siamese [[cats]] "belong to the fauna of Mordor"<ref>{{L|219}}</ref> He also disliked [[spiders]]<ref>'''J.R.R. Tolkien'''; [[Letter to Richard Lupoff]]</ref> although not that much as to kill them. He refused that this has anything to do with being bitten by a tarantula as a toddler.<ref name="l163" />

Tolkien was insecure and lacked confidence in his own work, even when he was assured that it had value for others.<ref>{{L|282}}</ref> Father [[Robert Murray]], Tolkien's personal friend, considered the professor "a complex and depressed man" and his work "projects his very depressed view of the universe".<ref>[[Richard C. West]], "A Letter from Father Murray", [[Tolkien Studies 16]], pp. 135-6</ref>

Tolkien boasted of himself to be "a world-class [[wiktionary:niggler|niggler]]".<ref name="rc43" /> He wrote ''The Lord of the Rings'' laboriously, preoccupied with detail, consistency and careful consideration of every word.<ref>{{L|199}}</ref><ref name="L35">{{L|35}}</ref> In his lecture ''On Fairy-Stories'', he discussed the importance of “the inner consistency of reality” in creating realistic [[secondary world]]s.<ref name="fairy">{{MC|Fairy}}</ref> Christopher Tolkien said of his father's perfectionist tendencies, "However much my father desired to achieve consistency at every level of his work, from capital letters to the dates of dynasties, he was bound to fail. [...] His life was a perpetual battle against time (& tiredness) [...] But he 'niggled' on a grand and noble conception, & indeed its coherence in fine detail is a part of its power."<ref name="rc43">{{HM|RC}}, p. 43, quoting a letter of [[Christopher Tolkien]]</ref>

Tolkien often overestimated the knowledge of those he was speaking to, to the extent that he was often described as talking more to himself than anyone else. He was also often difficult to understand due to his fast way of speaking, and unclear articulation. He was prone to long, parenthetical sentences which only grew more extreme with age. Despite this, he was described as a good listener and conversationalist. He was liked like by his students who felt he gave more regard to his audience than other lecturers and appreciated his sense of humor. Humphrey Carpenter commented on his ability to make others feel valued in conversations, making interesting conversation out of what Carpenter had felt were trivial comments.<ref name="BI">{{B|I}}</ref><ref name="BIV" /><ref name="BVII" />

Defining his own political opinions, Tolkien stated that leaned more towards anarchy or 'unconstitutional' monarchy without the existence of a State.<ref>{{L|52}}</ref> He disliked leftist ideas<ref name="bru">{{Cite web|author=[[José Manuel Ferrández Bru]]|articleurl=https://www.josemanuelferrandez.com/vieja/ENguerra.html|articlename=Tolkien and the Spanish Civil War|dated=2011|website=[https://www.josemanuelferrandez.com josemanuelferrandez.com]|accessed=1 June 2024}}</ref> and Communism<ref name="l83">{{L|83}}</ref> and considered Joseph Stalin "a bloodthirsty old murderer".<ref>{{L|53}}</ref> He accused Nazism of perverting and staining the noble northern spirit through its "Nordic propaganda"<ref>,{{L|49}}</ref> and called Adolf Hitler a "ruddy little ignoramus" while in the same time he criticised anti-German propaganda.<ref>{{L|45}}</ref> He also rejected socialism, as "the ‘planners’, when they acquire power, become so bad".<ref>{{L|181}}</ref> He retained an interest in South Africa, his birthplace, and as a child heard about apartheid from his mother<ref>{{L|61}}</ref> which he hated profoundly.<ref>[[Valedictory Address to the University of Oxford]]</ref> Due to his emotional connection with Fr. Francis Xavier Morgan, he was affected by the Spanish Civil War, and like many British Catholics,<ref name="bru" /> he supported the Franco movement; although this support was based on religious grounds, due to the persecution during that time caused by the republicans.<ref name="bru" /><ref>{{L|83}}</ref>
==Writing==
===Legendarium===
{{main|Legendarium}}
In a 1951 letter to [[Milton Waldman]], Tolkien wrote of his intention to create a "body of more or less connected legend", of which:
{{Blockquote|The cycles should be linked to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, wielding paint and music and drama.|[[Letter 131]]}}

Tolkien's legendarium is the entirety of his works concerning his imagined world of Arda. Much of Tolkien's life was spent developing the legendarium.

Beginning with ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', written while recuperating from illness during World War I, Tolkien devised several themes that were reused in successive drafts of his legendarium. The two most prominent stories, the tales of [[Beren and Lúthien]] and that of [[Túrin]], were carried forward into long narrative poems (published in ''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]''). Tolkien wrote a brief summary of the mythology these poems were intended to represent, and that summary eventually evolved into "[[The Silmarillion]]", an epic history that Tolkien started three times but never published. The story of this continuous redrafting is told in the posthumous series ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''. From around [[1936]], he began to extend this framework to include the tale of ''[[The Fall of Númenor (chapter)|The Fall of Númenor]]'', which was inspired by the legend of [[Atlantis]].<ref name="BII" />

Tolkien never expected his fictional stories to become popular, but he was persuaded by a former student to publish a book he had written for his own children called ''The Hobbit'' in 1937.<ref name="l163" /> However, the book attracted adult readers as well, and it became popular enough for the publisher, George Allen & Unwin, to ask Tolkien to work on a sequel.

This request prompted Tolkien to begin what would become his most famous work: the epic three-volume novel ''The Lord of the Rings'' (published 1954–55). Tolkien spent more than ten years writing the primary narrative and [[The Lord of the Rings Appendices|appendices]] for ''The Lord of the Rings'', during which time he received the constant support of the [[Inklings]], in particular his closest friend C.S. Lewis, the author of ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]''. Both ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'' are set against the background of "The Silmarillion", but in a later [[Ages|age]]. The book was originally intended to be published in a single volume but due to the cost of paper during war paper rationing and the length of the story, it was divided into three volumes, each containing two books.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Robert T. Tally Jr.|articleurl=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26809264|articlename=Three Rings for the Elven-kings: Trilogizing Tolkien in Print and Film|dated=2017|website=|accessed=12 June 2024}}</ref><ref group="note">As a result, ''The Lord of the Rings'' is often referred to as a "trilogy", but Tolkien always considered it to be one novel.</ref>

Tolkien at first intended ''The Lord of the Rings'' as a children's tale like ''The Hobbit'', but it quickly grew darker and more serious in the writing.<ref>{{L|34}}</ref> Though a direct sequel to ''The Hobbit'', it addressed an older audience, drawing on the immense back story of Beleriand that Tolkien had constructed in previous years, and which eventually saw posthumous publication in ''The Silmarillion'' and other volumes. Tolkien originally felt uninspired, feeling he had used all his good ideas in ''The Hobbit'',<ref>{{L|23}}</ref> which had not been written with a sequel in mind,<ref>{{L|24}}</ref> and struggled to account for the discrepancies between ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'', specifically in the role of the [[One Ring]].<ref>{{L|25}}</ref> This led to the publication of a revised edition of ''The Hobbit'' with changes made to the chapter "[[Riddles in the Dark]]".<ref>{{L|128}}</ref>

Tolkien continued to work on the history of his legendarium until his death. His son Christopher, with some assistance from fantasy writer [[Guy Gavriel Kay]], organised some of this material into one volume, published as ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' in [[1977]].<ref>{{Cite web|author=Alison Flood|articleurl=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/29/guy-gavriel-kay-jrr-tolkien-interview-fionovar-tapesty-the-summer-tree|articlename=Guy Gavriel Kay: I learned a lot about false starts from JRR Tolkien|dated=29 October 2014|website=[https://www.theguardian.com/international The Guardian]|accessed=12 June 2024}}</ref> In [[1980]], Christopher Tolkien followed this with a collection of more fragmentary material under the title ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', and in subsequent years he published a massive amount of background material on the creation of Middle-earth in the twelve volumes of ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''. All these posthumous works contain unfinished, abandoned, alternative and outright contradictory accounts, since they were always a work in progress, and Tolkien only rarely settled on a definitive version for any of the stories. There is not even complete consistency to be found between ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'', the two most closely related works, because Tolkien was never able to fully integrate all their traditions into each other. To account for some of these inconsistencies he portrayed himself as a "translator" of texts and that any mistakes could be translation errors or errors made by characters while documenting events.<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref>
===Other writings===
In addition to his [[Mythopoeia|mythological compositions]], Tolkien enjoyed inventing fantasy stories to entertain his children. He wrote annual Christmas letters from [[Father Christmas]] for them, building up a series of short stories (later compiled and published as ''[[Letters from Father Christmas|The Father Christmas Letters]]''). Other stories included ''[[Mr. Bliss]]'', ''[[Roverandom]]'', ''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]'', ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'' and ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]''. ''Roverandom'' and ''Smith of Wootton Major'', like ''The Hobbit'', borrowed ideas from his legendarium.
===Unpublished materials and manuscripts===
The John P. Raynor, S.J. Library at [[Marquette University]] in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, preserves many of Tolkien's original manuscripts, notes and letters; other original material survives at Oxford's [[Bodleian Library]]. Marquette has the manuscripts and proofs of ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'', and other manuscripts, including ''Farmer Giles of Ham'', while the Bodleian holds much of Tolkien's art, "The Silmarillion" papers and Tolkien's academic work.<ref>{{Cite web|author=|articleurl=https://www.marquette.edu/library/archives/tolkien.php|articlename=J.R.R. Tolkien collection|dated=|website=[https://www.marquette.edu/library/ Marquette University]|accessed=24 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=|articleurl=https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries/english-faculty-library/collections-and-resources/special-collections|articlename=Special collections at the English Faculty Library|dated=|website=[https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ Bodleian Library]|accessed=24 March 2024}}</ref> Much of Tolkien's work remains [[Index:Unpublished material|unpublished]] and can be viewed only by Tolkien scholars and researchers.<ref>{{Cite web|author=|articleurl=https://www.tolkienestate.com/frequently-asked-questions-and-links/|articlename=Frequently Asked Questions and Links|dated=|website=|accessed=24 March 2024}}</ref>
===Influences===
Tolkien was strongly influenced by Anglo-Saxon literature, Germanic and [[Norse mythology|Norse mythologies]], Finnish mythology, the Bible, and Greek mythology. The works most often cited as sources for Tolkien's stories include ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]'', the ''[[Kalevala]]'', the ''[[Poetic Edda]]'', the ''[[Wikipedia:Völsunga saga|Völsunga saga]]'' and the ''[[Wikipedia:Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks|Hervarar saga]]''. Tolkien himself acknowledged Homer,<ref>{{L|156}}</ref> Oedipus,<ref name="l131">{{L|131}}</ref> and the ''Kalevala'',<ref name="l163" /> as influences or sources for some of his stories and ideas. His borrowings also came from numerous [[Middle English]] works and poems. It has been suggested that a major philosophical influence on his writing is King Alfred's Anglo-Saxon version of ''Boethius''' ''Consolation of Philosophy'' known as the ''Lays of Boethius''. Characters in ''The Lord of the Rings'', such as [[Frodo Baggins]], [[Treebeard]] and [[Elrond]] make noticeably Boethian remarks.<ref>[[Kathleen E. Dubs]], ''Twentieth Century Literature 27, no. 1'' “Providence, Fate, and Chance: Boethian Philosophy in The Lord of the Rings.”</ref>

It is commonly accepted that Tolkien was influenced by World War I.<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-world-war-i-is-at-the-heart-of-lord-of-the-rings|articlename=Why World War I Is at the Heart of ‘Lord of the Rings’|dated=29 July 2014|website=[https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-world-war-i-is-at-the-heart-of-lord-of-the-rings The Daily Beast]|accessed=25 March 2024}}</ref> Despite denying this in [[Letter 226|one letter]],<ref>{{L|226}}</ref> in an earlier letter to his son Christopher, he revealed that his experience in the war had influenced him to write about [[Morgoth]] and the history of the [[Gnomes]]. Connections have also been drawn between [[Samwise Gamgee]] and [[Wikipedia:Batman (military)|batmen]].<ref>[[John Garth]], ''[[Tolkien and the Great War]]''</ref>

Tolkien acknowledged the interest many would have in his influences and the difficulty there would be in analyzing it, writing in 1971:
{{Blockquote|I fear you may be right that the search for the sources of ''The Lord of the Rings'' is going to occupy academics for a generation or two. I wish this need not be so. To my mind it is the particular use in a particular situation of any motive, whether invented, deliberately borrowed, or unconsciously remembered that is the most interesting thing to consider|[[Letter 337]]}}

==Languages==
{{Seealso|Languages}}
Both Tolkien's academic career and his literary production are inseparable from his love of language and philology. Aside from English (Modern, [[Old English|Old]] and [[Middle English|Middle]]), Tolkien knew (with varying levels of fluency) [[Hebrew]], [[Finnish]], French, [[Gothic]], Greek, Icelandic (Including Old Icelandic), [[Latin]], Spanish, [[Welsh]] (including medieval Welsh).<ref name="BII" /><ref name="l7" /><ref name="l163" /><ref>{{LE|196a}}</ref>

He could read by the age of four and could write fluently soon afterwards. His mother taught him the rudiments of [[Latin]] very early. He took to this quickly, especially enjoying Latin phonetics. His mother, realizing his aptitude for languages then taught him French which he enjoyed much less. While living in Moseley he discovered [[Welsh]] which would become one of his favourite languages.<ref name="BII" />

In the early 1900s, he was introduced to a secret "code" created by his Incledon cousins, called [[Animalic]] replacing words with animal names. Soon after, with [[Mary Incledon|Mary]] they created [[Nevbosh]], a more sophisticated language, with Tolkien contributing to the vocabulary and influencing the spelling.<ref>{{MC|6}}</ref>

In [[1909]] he wrote the ''[[Book of the Foxrook]]'' in a notebook, with notes in Esperanto,<ref name="Seven">[[Arden R. Smith]], [[Patrick H. Wynne|Patrick Wynne]], "Tolkien and Esperanto", in [[SEVEN 17|''SEVEN'', Volume 17]], p. 29</ref> describing ''[[Privata Kodo Skauta]]'' ("Private Scout Code").<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Arden R. Smith]]|articleurl=https://www.tolkienestate.com/scholarship/arden-smith-writing-systems/|articlename=Writing Systems|dated=|website=[http://www.tolkienestate.com/ tolkienestate.com]|accessed=27 December 2016}}</ref> "''consisting of a [[runes|rune]]-like phonetic alphabet and a sizable number of ideographic symbols''".<ref name="Seven" /> In the 1910s he composed [[Naffarin]], a private language,<ref>{{HM|MC}}, p. 141</ref>

Heavy emphasis was put on Latin and Greek at King Edward's School. It was here that Tolkien was introduced to Old English though he disliked Shakespeare's works and begrudged the usage of them to teach English.<ref name="BII" /> He specialised in Greek philology in college, and in 1915 graduated Exeter College with a first-class degree in English language with Old Icelandic as a special subject.<ref name="l7" /> While at Exter he discovered a Finnish grammar and focused intensely on learning the language. By the time of his military training in [[1915]] he was working on a "mad hobby": a "[[Qenya|nonsense fairy language]]"<ref>{{L|4}}</ref> which would become his "[[Quenya|elvenlatin]]",<ref name="l144">{{L|144}}</ref> the first seed of his legendarium.<ref name="BII" />

He worked for the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' from 1918 specifically on entries beginning with the letter W.<ref name="gilliver" /> In 1920, he went to Leeds as Reader in English Language, where he claimed credit for raising the number of students of linguistics from five to twenty and even formed a "[[Viking Club]]". He gave courses in [[Old English]] heroic verse, history of English, various Old English and Middle English texts, Old and Middle English philology, introductory [[North Germanic languages|Germanic]] philology, [[Gothic]], Old Icelandic, and Medieval [[Welsh]]. In [[1925]], aged 33, Tolkien applied for the Rawlinson and Bosworth Professorship of Anglo-Saxon.<ref name="l7" />

In the 1960s, while working on ''[[The Jerusalem Bible]]'' as a translator, Tolkien prepared himself by learning a great amount of Hebrew.<ref>[[Clyde S. Kilby]], ''[[Tolkien and The Silmarillion]]'', "4. Tolkien as a Christian writer", p. 54</ref> He explained to his grandson [[Michael George Tolkien|Michael George]]: "I am at present immersed in Hebrew. If you want a beautiful but idiotic alphabet, and a language so difficult that it makes [[Latin]] (or even Greek) seem footling but also glimpses into a past that makes Homer seem recent - that is the stuff! (I am hoping when I retire to get included in a new Bible-translation team that is brewing. I have passed the test: with a version of the Book of Jonah. Not from Hebrew direct!)".<ref>{{LE|196a}}</ref>

Privately, Tolkien was attracted to "things of racial and linguistic significance",<ref>{{L|95}}</ref> and he entertained notions of an inherited taste of language, which he termed the "native tongue" as opposed to "cradle tongue" in his 1955 lecture ''[[English and Welsh]]'', which was crucial to his understanding of race and language.<ref>{{MC|5}}</ref> He considered west-midland Middle English his own "native tongue", and as he wrote to W.H. Auden in 1955, "I am a West-midlander by blood (and took to early west-midland Middle English as a known tongue as soon as I set eyes on it)".<ref name="l163" />

Parallel to Tolkien's professional work as a philologist, and sometimes overshadowing this work, to the effect that his academic output remained rather thin, was his affection for the construction of artificial languages. The best developed of these are [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]], the etymological connection between which is at the core of much of Tolkien's legendarium. Language and grammar for Tolkien were a matter of aesthetics and [[Wikipedia: Phonaesthetics#Euphony and cacophony|euphony]], and Quenya in particular was designed from "phonæsthetic" considerations. It was intended as an "Elvenlatin", and was phonologically based on Latin, with ingredients from Finnish and Greek.<ref name="l144" /> A notable addition came in late 1945 with [[Adûnaic]], a language of a "faintly Semitic flavour",<ref>{{SD|2cn}}</ref> connected with Tolkien's Atlantis myth, which by ''The Notion Club Papers'' ties directly into his ideas about inheritability of language, and via the "[[Second Age]]" and the [[Eärendil]] myth was grounded in the legendarium, thereby providing a link of Tolkien's 20th-century "real [[Primary World]]" with the mythical past of his Middle-earth.

Tolkien considered languages inseparable from the mythology associated with them, and he consequently took a dim view of auxiliary languages. In [[1930]] a congress of Esperantists was told as much by him, in his lecture ''[[A Secret Vice]]'', "Your language construction will breed a mythology",<ref>'''J.R.R. Tolkien'''; ''[[A Secret Vice]]''</ref> but by 1956 he concluded that "Volapük, Esperanto, Ido, Novial, &c &c are dead, far deader than ancient unused languages, because their authors never invented any Esperanto legends".<ref>{{L|180}}</ref>

Tolkien's often unusual and archaic way of writing led to frequent erroneous corrections from editors, most famously ''dwarfs'' to ''dwarves'' and ''elvish'' to ''elfish''.<ref>{{L|183}}</ref>. Tolkien's linguistic influence can be seen in the once rare spellings being now the most prevalent.<ref>{{Cite web|author=|articleurl=https://roguish.wordpress.com/2023/11/20/how-tolkien-invented-dwarves-it-used-to-be-dwarfs/|articlename=How Tolkien Invented Dwarves (it Used to be “Dwarfs”)|dated=|website=[https://roguish.wordpress.com/ Roguish]|accessed=24 March 2024}}</ref>
==Art==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Taniquetil.jpg|300px|thumb|''[[Taniquetil]]'' by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
From as young as the age of three, Tolkien enjoyed creating art. He was taught to draw and paint by his mother. He in particular enjoyed drawing landscapes and trees.<ref name="BII" /> Tolkien was quite modest about his artwork, at one point telling his publisher that he "cannot draw".<ref>{{L|10}}</ref>

The first British edition of ''The Hobbit'' included ten drawings by Tolkien and the American edition had 4 watercolour paintings.<ref name="Holmes">John H. Holmes, "Art and Illustrations by Tolkien" in [[Michael D.C. Drout]], ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment]]''</ref>

Tolkien often provided sketches to help artists illustrating his works.<ref>{{L|12}}</ref><ref>{{L|14}}</ref> He was often critical of the artists chosen by Allen & Unwin to design covers for his books.<ref>{{L|277}}</ref><ref>{{L|116}}</ref> Many illustrations for his books were done by [[Pauline Baynes]] whose artwork Tolkien was quite fond of.<ref>{{L|120}}</ref>

Tolkien (helped at times by his son Christopher) created several maps of Middle-earth and Arda, two of which were published in ''The Hobbit'', two in ''The Silmarillion'' and three in ''The Lord of the Rings''.

Many of the [[Letters from Father Christmas]] featured art "made" by [[Father Christmas]] and the [[North Polar Bear]], depicting landscapes and happenings in the North Pole. Tolkien was also the illustrator of ''Mr. Bliss''.

From [[1973]] to [[1979]] (except for [[1975]]), Allen & Unwin released calendars featuring art by Tolkien. Many of these, along with previously unpublished art were published in ''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]''. In [[1976]] the Ashmolean Museum had an exhibit featuring Tolkien's art. [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] have published 3 books about Tolkien's art, ''[[The Art of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[2011]]), ''[[The Art of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[2015]]) and ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]] ([[2018]])''. Tolkien's art was also published in ''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' by [[Catherine McIlwaine]], whose 2018 publication coincided with an art exhibit of the same name, also curated by McIlwaine.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Denis Bridoux|articleurl=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/738152|articlename=Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth by Catherine McIlwaine, and: Tolkien Treasures by Catherine McIlwaine (review)|dated=|website=|accessed=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="Holmes" />

Christopher Tolkien has stated that Tolkien research is incomplete without the study of Tolkien's artwork but despite this, early Tolkien scholarship focused on his writings with little attention given to his art. John R. Holmes writes in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment]]'' that "Tolkien’s pictures and designs are nearly as important a window into his imagination as is his fiction."<ref name="Holmes" />
==Influence on fantasy==
Tolkien is often referred to as the "father" of modern fantasy,<ref>{{Cite web|author=Felix Schlagwein|articleurl=https://www.dw.com/en/how-j-r-r-tolkien-became-the-father-of-fantasy/a-60316037|articlename=How Tolkien became the father of fantasy|dated=1 March 2022|website=[https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097 Deutsche Welle]|accessed=25 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Catherine Dent|articleurl=https://www.thecollector.com/jrr-tolkien-father-of-fantasy/|articlename=J.R.R. Tolkien: The Beloved Father of Fantasy|dated=17 March 2023|website=[https://www.thecollector.com/ The Collector]|accessed=25 March 2024}}</ref> specifically high fantasy.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Debadrita Sur|articleurl=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/how-jrr-tolkien-lord-of-the-rings-changed-fantasy-genre/|articlename=How J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ changed the high fantasy genre|dated=2 December 2021|website=[https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/ Far Out Magazine]|accessed=25 March 2024}}</ref> Tolkien's influence on the fantasy genre was described in ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature'' as "the greatest influence within the fantasy genre".<ref>Paul Harvey, ''The Oxford Companion to English Literature'', "Fantasy Fiction"</ref>

Tolkien has been credited with cementing fantasy as a respected genre. Prior to the publication of ''The Lord of the Rings'', fantasy was viewed by publishers as light reading or for children, and as a result, fantasy and science fiction stories were rarely longer than 130,000 words (around 130 pages). The popularity and commercial success of ''The Hobbit'' and especially ''The Lord of the Rings'' proved to readers and publishers that fantasy could have fully fleshed out stories and explore ethics in the same depths as any other genre.<ref name="tradition">Diana Paxson, ''[[Mythlore 39]]'', "[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol11/iss1/19/ The Tolkien Tradition]"</ref>

Tolkien's lecture ''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'', in which he discusses the fantasy genre (fairy-stories) has been described as one of the most influential explorations of fantasy. Many of the ideas he put forth have since become common fantasy elements. This includes the concepts of [[primary World|primary]] and [[Secondary world]]s, [[Subcreation]] and [[eucatastrophe]]. One element heavily touched on in this lecture was the concept of secondary belief. In Tolkien's words, "the story-maker's success depends on his ability to make a consistent Secondary World which your mind can enter. Inside it, what he relates is 'true', it accords with the laws of that world. You therefore believe it, while you are, as it were, inside".<ref name="fairy" /> For Tolkien, this meant complex languages, geographies and general world-building which have since become synonymous with the fantasy genre.<ref name="tradition" />

The popularity of Tolkien's books has had a small but lasting effect on the use of language in fantasy literature in particular, and even on mainstream dictionaries, which today commonly accept Tolkien's revival of the spellings ''dwarves'' and ''elvish'' (instead of ''dwarfs'' and ''elfish''), which had not been in use since the mid-1800s and earlier.
====Adaptations and inspired works====
The hands and minds of many artists have indeed been inspired by Tolkien's legends. Personally known to him were [[Pauline Baynes]] (Tolkien's favourite illustrator of ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'' and ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'') and [[Donald Swann]] (who set the music to ''[[The Road Goes Ever On (book)|The Road Goes Ever On]]''). Queen [[Margrethe II of Denmark]] created illustrations for ''The Lord of the Rings'' in the early 1970s. She sent them to Tolkien, who was struck by the similarity to the style of his own drawings.

There have been many adaptations of Tolkien's works into films, tv shows and video games. The first film adaptation of ''The Hobbit'', was the short film, [[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'']] which was released by [[William Lawrence Snyder]] in order to retain film rights for ''The Hobbit''.<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Gene Deitch]]|articleurl=http://www.awn.com/articles/profiles/hobbit-alized-first-attempt-animating-hobbit|articlename=Hobbit-alized: The First Attempt At Animating The Hobbit|dated=11 December 2001|website=awn.com|accessed=1 June 2024}}</ref> [[Ralph Bakshi]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'']]'' (1978) was the first film adaptation of ''The Lord of the Rings''. The screenplay was written by the fantasy writer [[Peter S. Beagle]]. This first adaptation, however, only contained the first half of the story.

Other well-known adaptations include ''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' by [[Rankin/Bass]], [[Peter Jackson]]'s [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'']] and [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'']] film trilogies, and [[Amazon MGM Studios|Amazon]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Russell Holly|articleurl=https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-everything-you-need-to-know-before-watching/|articlename='The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power': Everything You Need to Know Before Watching|dated=1 September 2022|website=[https://www.cnet.com/ CNET]|accessed=1 June 2024}}</ref>

==Names and pseudonyms==
:''For an explanation of the name 'Tolkien' see [[Tolkien Family]].''
[[File:JRRT.jpeg|thumb|JRRT monogram]]
It was tradition in Tolkien's family to name the first-born son John. His father Arthur Tolkien wanted to name him John Benjamin Reuel and his mother, confident he would be a girl, liked the name Rosalind.<ref name="L309">{{L|309}}</ref> In a letter written by Arthur Tolkien to his family, he describes the thoughts for their baby's christening after his birth:

{{Blockquote|The boy’s first name will be ‘John’ after its grandfather,<ref group=note>Both of Tolkien's grandfathers were named John ([[John Tolkien]] & [[John Suffield]]). He was named after John Tolkien as it was custom in the Tolkien family for the oldest son to be named John.</ref> probably John Ronald Reuel altogether. Mab wants to call it Ronald and I want to keep up John and Reuel.|}}
Ronald had no familial precedent but Reuel was Arthur's middle name.<ref name="BII" />

Philip was Tolkien's [[Wikipedia:Confirmation#Confirmation name|confirmed name]], after Saint [[Wikipedia:Philip Neri|Philip Neri]].<ref>{{CG|C}}, p. 99</ref>

He went by the name Ronald only with close family and others referred to him as John or John Ronald.<ref name="L309" />
===Pseudonyms===
*''[[Arcastar]]'' - [[Quenya]] rendition of ''Tolkien'' used in ''[[Tolkien in Oxford]]'', possibly meaning ''translator''.<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Ryszard Derdziński]]|articleurl=http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/2017/06/arcastar-means-translator.html|articlename=''Arcastar'' means 'Translator'?|dated=16 June 2017|website=[http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/ Tolknięty]|accessed=22 March 2022}}</ref>
*''Vectigalius Acer, Portorius Acer Germanicus, Eisphorides Acribus Polyglotteus' - Tag name in the annual Latin debates during studies at Oxford.<ref>[[John Garth]], ''[[Tolkien and the Great War]], "Part One: The immortal four", p. 19''</ref>
*''Fisiologus'' - From ''Physiologus'', signature of [[Adventures in Unnatural History and Medieval Metres, being the Freaks of Fisiologus|a poem]] published in ''[[Stapeldon Magazine]]'' (1927).<ref>{{AB|Comm}}, pp. 224</ref>
*''J.'' - Signature of [[Valedictory|a poem]] published in ''[[Stapeldon Magazine]]'' (1913).<ref>{{CG|II}}, "From the Many-Willow’d Margin of the Immemorial Thames"</ref>
*''John Ronald Philip Reuel'' - Tolkien used this full name in an Elvish script written in 1931.<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Holly Ordway]]|articleurl=https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/fellows/whats-in-a-name-tolkiens-st-philip-neri-connection/|articlename=What’s in a Name? Tolkien and St. Philip Neri|dated=26 May 2023|website=[https://www.wordonfire.org/ Word on Fire]|accessed=27 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{PE|20}}, p. 70</ref>
*''JRRT'' or ''J.R.R.T'' - Abbreviation of ''John Ronald Reuel Tolkien'' frequently used by Tolkien.{{fact}}
*''J. Rsquared'' - Name given to him by friends.<ref name="L309" />
*''Kingston Bagpuize''- Signature of [[Progress in Bimble Town|a poem]] published in the ''[[Oxford Magazine]]'' (1931).<ref>[[David Bratman]], ''[[Mallorn (journal)|Mallorn]]'' "Tolkien and the Counties of England"</ref>
*''Luttro'' - [[Esperanto]] word for "otter", possibly referring to himself, in his private ''[[Book of the Foxrook]]'' ([[1909]]); possibly an allusion to [[Animalic]]<ref>{{HM|SV}}, p. 40-1 [note 19];</ref>
*''Rægnold Hrædmóding'' - [[Old English]] rendition of "Ronald Tolkien", used to sign the poem ''[[For W.H.A.]]'' (1967).
*''Ruginwaldus Dwalakôneis'' - "Gothicizied" version of "Ronald Tolkien".<ref>{{L|272}}</ref>
*''Tollers'' - Nickname used by intimate friends.<ref>{{CG|RG}}, pp. 624-627</ref>
*''N.N.'' - Signature of a [[The Clerkes Compleinte|poem]] published in ''[[The Gryphon, Vol.4 No.3|The Gryphon]]'' (1922), an abbreviation of ''[[wikipedia:Nomen Nescio|Nomen Nescio]]''.<ref>{{CG|RG}}</ref>
*''Oxymore'' - Signature of the poem ''[[The Mewlips|Knocking at the Door]]'', written c. 1927 and published in ''The Oxford Magazine'' (1937).<ref>{{CG|C}}, "1937"</ref>

==Family Tree==
{{Main|Tolkien Family}}
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | MS |y| ART | | | | | | | | | | | |MS=[[Mabel Suffield]]|ART=[[Arthur Tolkien|Arthur Reuel Tolkien]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | EDB |y| JRR | | HART |~| MM | | | | | | | |JRR=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]|EDB=[[Edith Tolkien|Edith Bratt]]|HART=[[Hilary Tolkien]]|MM=[[Magdalen Matthews]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | |,|-|^|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | JOT | | MIT | |CHT | | PRT |JOT=[[John Tolkien]]|MIT=[[Michael Tolkien]]|CHT=[[Christopher Tolkien]]|PRT=[[Priscilla Tolkien]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Bibliography==
:''For a complete list of all of Tolkien's published writings, see '''[[Index:Writings by J.R.R. Tolkien|Writings by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'''.''
===Fictional and poetic works===
*[[1936]]: ''[[Songs for the Philologists]]'', with [[E.V. Gordon]] (very few copies now exist)
*[[1937]]: ''[[The Hobbit|The Hobbit, or There and Back Again]]''
*[[1945]]: ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]''
*[[1945]]: ''[[The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun]]'' (published in [[The Welsh Review (Vol.IV, No.4)|''Welsh Review'']])
*[[1949]]: ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''
*[[1953]]: ''[[The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son]]'' (published with the essay ''[[Ofermod]]'')
*[[1954]]-[[1955]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''<ol type="I"><li>''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' (1954)</li><li>''[[The Two Towers]]'' (1954) </li><li>''[[The Return of the King]]'' (1955)</li></ol>
*[[1962]]: ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil|The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book]]''
*[[1964]]: ''[[Tree and Leaf]]'' (a collection of writings)
**''[[Leaf by Niggle]]''
**''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'' (essay)
*[[1966]]: ''[[The Tolkien Reader]]'' (a collection of writings, published only in the US)
*[[1967]]: ''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]''
*[[1967]]: ''[[The Road Goes Ever On (book)|The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle]]'', with [[Donald Swann]]
**[[Bilbo's Last Song (at the Grey Havens)|Bilbo's Last Song]] (included in 1978 edition)

===Academic works===
*[[1922]]:' '[[A Middle English Vocabulary]]
*[[1925]]: ''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (edition)|Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]]'', with [[E.V. Gordon]]
*[[1925]]: ''[[Some Contributions to Middle-English Lexicography]]''
*[[1925]]: ''[[The Devil's Coach-Horses]]''
*[[1929]]: ''[[Ancrene Wisse and Hali Meiðhad]]''
*[[1932]]: ''[[The Name 'Nodens']]'' (published in ''[[Report on the Excavation of the Prehistoric, Roman, and Post-Roman Site in Lydney Park, Gloucestershire]]'')
*[[1932]]-[[1934]]: ''[[Sigelwara Land]]'' parts I and II
*[[1934]]: ''[[Chaucer as a Philologist: The Reeve's Tale]]''
*[[1936]]: ''[[Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics]]'' (lecture on ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]'' criticism)
*[[1939]]: ''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'' (essay on Tolkien's philosophy on fantasy)
*[[1939]]: ''[[The Reeve's Tale (version)|The Reeve's Tale: Version Prepared for Recitation at the 'Summer Diversions'<nowiki/>]]''
*[[1944]]: ''[[Sir Orfeo (booklet)|Sir Orfeo]]'' (translation of a Middle English poem)
*[[1953]]: ''[[Ofermod]]'' (published with the poem ''The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth'')
*[[1953]]: ''[[Middle English 'Losenger' (essay)|Middle English 'Losenger'<nowiki/>]]''
*[[1962]]: ''[[Ancrene Wisse]]''
*[[1963]]: ''[[English and Welsh]]''
*[[1966]]: ''[[The Jerusalem Bible]]'' (contributing translator and lexicographer)

===Posthumous publications===
====1975—1990====
*[[1975]]: ''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo]]'', ed. [[Christopher Tolkien]]
*[[1976]]: ''[[Letters from Father Christmas]]'', ed. [[Baillie Tolkien]]
*[[1977]]: ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[1980]]: ''[[Unfinished Tales|Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[1980]]: ''[[Poems and Stories]]'' (a collection of stories)
**''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]''
**''[[The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son]]''
**''[[On Fairy-Stories]]''
**''[[Leaf by Niggle]]''
**''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''
**''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]''
*[[1981]]: ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', eds. Christopher Tolkien, [[Humphrey Carpenter]]
*[[1982]]: ''[[The Old English Exodus]]'' (translation of an Old English poem, only limited copies were printed)
*[[1982]]: ''[[Finn and Hengest|Finn and Hengest: The Fragment and the Episode]]'', ed. [[Alan Bliss]]
*[[1982]]: ''[[Mr. Bliss]]''
*[[1983]]: ''[[The Monsters and the Critics, and Other Essays]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien (a collection of linguistic essays and lectures)
**''[[Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics]]''
**''[[On Translating Beowulf]]''
**''[[On Fairy-Stories]]''
**''[[A Secret Vice]]''
**''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (lecture)|Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]]''
**''[[English and Welsh]]''
**''[[Valedictory Address to the University of Oxford]]''
*[[1983]]–[[1996]] ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien<ol type="I"><li>''[[The Book of Lost Tales: Part One]]'' (1983)</li><li>''[[The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two]]'' (1984)</li><li>''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]'' (1985)</li><li>''[[The Shaping of Middle-earth]]'' (1986)</li><li>''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'' (1987)</li><li>''[[The Return of the Shadow]]'' (''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]'' vol. 1) (1988)</li><li>''[[The Treason of Isengard]]'' (''The History of The Lord of the Rings'' vol. 2) (1989) </li><li>''[[The War of the Ring]]'' (''The History of The Lord of the Rings'' vol. 3) (1990) </li><li>''[[Sauron Defeated]]'' (''The History of The Lord of the Rings'' vol. 4) (1992)</li><li>''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'' (1993)</li><li>''[[The War of the Jewels]]'' (1994)</li><li>''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'' (1996)</li></ol>
**''[[The History of Middle-earth Index|Index]]'' (2002)
*[[1985]]: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's Letters to Rhona Beare]]'' (limited copies were printed)

====1990—today====
*[[1990]]: ''[[Bilbo's Last Song (at the Grey Havens)|Bilbo's Last Song]]''
*[[1997]]: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]'' (a collection of stories and poems)
**''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''
**''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]''
**''[[Leaf by Niggle]]''
**''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]''
**''[[Roverandom]]'' (included in 2008 edition)
**''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'' (included in 2008 edition)
*[[1998]]: ''[[Roverandom]]'', eds. [[Wayne G. Hammond]], [[Christina Scull]]
*[[1999]]: ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'', eds. Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull
*[[2001]]: ''[[Tree and Leaf]]'' (a collection of writings)
**''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'' and ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]''
**''[[Mythopoeia]]'' (included in 1988 edition)
**''[[The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son]]'' (newly included)
*[[2002]]: ''[[Beowulf and the Critics]]'', ed. [[Michael D.C. Drout]] (a lecture series)
*[[2003]]: ''[[The Annotated Hobbit|The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition]]'', ed. [[Douglas A. Anderson]]
**containing ''[[The Dragon's Visit]]'', among other writings (newly included)
*[[2005]]: ''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]'', ed. [[Verlyn Flieger]]
*[[2007]]: ''[[The History of The Hobbit]]'', ed. [[John D. Rateliff]]
*[[2007]]: ''[[The Children of Húrin]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[2008]]: ''[[Tolkien On Fairy-stories]]'', eds. Verlyn Flieger, Douglas A. Anderson (an extended edition of the ''[[On Fairy-stories|essay]]'')
*[[2009]]: ''[[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[2013]]: ''[[The Fall of Arthur]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[2014]]: ''[[Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary]], together with [[Sellic Spell]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[2014]]: ''The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book'', eds. Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull
**containing ''[[Once upon a Time]]'', among other writings (newly included)
*[[2015]]: ''[[The Story of Kullervo]]'', ed. Verlyn Flieger
*[[2016]]: ''[[A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages]]'', eds. [[Dimitra Fimi]], [[Andrew Higgins]] (an extended edition of the ''[[A Secret Vice|lecture]]'')
*[[2016]]: ''[[The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun]]'', ed. Verlyn Flieger
*[[2017]]: ''[[Beren and Lúthien]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[2018]]: ''[[The Fall of Gondolin]]'', ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[2021]]: ''[[The Nature of Middle-earth]]'', ed. [[Carl F. Hostetter]]
*[[2022]]: ''[[The Fall of Númenor]]'', ed. [[Brian Sibley]]
*[[2023]]: ''[[The Battle of Maldon: together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth]]'', ed. [[Peter Grybauskas]]

===Artwork===
*[[1979]]: ''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ed. Christopher Tolkien
*[[1992]]: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ed. Judith Priestman
*[[1995]]: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'', eds. Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull
*[[2011]]: ''[[The Art of The Hobbit]]'', eds. Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull
*[[2015]]: ''[[The Art of The Lord of the Rings]]'', eds. Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull
*[[2018]]: ''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'', ed. Catherine McIlwaine
*[[2018]]: ''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'', ed. Catherine McIlwaine
*[[2022]]: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'', eds. William M. Fliss, Sarah C. Schaefer

===Audio recordings===
''Note: for a detailed listing of all recordings of Tolkien, see [[Index:Audio recordings of J.R.R. Tolkien|Audio recordings of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''
*[[1967]]: ''[[Poems and Songs of Middle Earth]]'', Caedmon TC 1231
*[[1975]]: ''J.R.R. Tolkien Reads and Sings his ''The Hobbit'' & ''The Lord of the Rings'', Caedmon TC 1477, TC 1478 (based on an [[1952 tape recording|August, 1952 recording]] by [[George Sayer]])''
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images by J.R.R. Tolkien|Images by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
*[[:Category:Images of J.R.R. Tolkien|Images of J.R.R. Tolkien]]
*[[:Category:Audio of J.R.R. Tolkien|Audio of J.R.R. Tolkien]]
*[[J.R.R. Tolkien/Quotations|J.R.R. Tolkien Quotes]]
*[[J.R.R. Tolkien Timeline]]
*[[Chronology of Tolkien's writings]]
*[[Legendarium]]
*[[Plaques and Memorials]]
*[[Index:Unpublished material|Unpublished material]]

==Further reading==
A small selection of books about Tolkien and his works:
*Anderson, Douglas A., Michael D. C. Drout and Verlyn Flieger (founder eds.). ''[[Tolkien Studies (journal)|Tolkien Studies: An Annual Scholarly Review]]''
*Carpenter, Humphrey (1979). ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and Their Friends]]'' ISBN 0395276284
*Chance, Jane (ed.) (2003). ''[[Tolkien the Medievalist]]'', London, New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-28944-0
*Chance, Jane (ed.) (2004). ''[[Tolkien and the Invention of Myth]], a Reader'', Louisville: University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-813-12301-1
*Duriez, Colin and Porter, David (2001). ''[[The Inklings Handbook]]: The Lives, Thought and Writings of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, and Their Friends''. ISBN 1902694139
*Duriez, Colin (2003). ''[[Tolkien and C.S. Lewis]]: The Gift of Friendship''. , ISBN 1587680262
*Flieger, Verlyn and Carl F. Hostetter (eds.) (2000). [[Tolkien's Legendarium|''Tolkien's'' Legendarium'': Essays on'' The History of Middle Earth]], Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-30530-7. DDC 823.912. LC PR6039.
*O'Neill, Timothy R. (1979). ''[[The Individuated Hobbit]]: Jung, Tolkien and the Archetypes of Middle-earth'', Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-395-28208-X
*Pearce, Joseph (1999). ''[[Tolkien: A Celebration]]'', London: HarperCollinsPublishers. ISBN 000-628120-6
*Pearce, Joseph (1998). ''[[Tolkien: Man and Myth]]'', London: HarperCollinsPublishers. ISBN 000-274018-4
*Shippey, T. A. (2000). ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century]]'', Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-618-12764-X, ISBN 0-618-25759-4 (pbk)
*Shippey, T. A. (2004). '[http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/31766 Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel (1892–1973)]', ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford: Oxford University Press.
*Tolkien, John & Priscilla (1992). ''[[The Tolkien Family Album]]'', London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-26-110239-7
*White, Michael (2003). ''Tolkien: A Biography'', New American Library. ISBN 0451212428

==External links==
*[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/author/biography/ J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biographical Sketch] by [[The Tolkien Society]]
*{{WP|J.R.R. Tolkien}}

{{references|notes}}

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| list=President of [[The Tolkien Society]]
| dates=[[27 June]] [[1972]] - ''In perpetuo''
| next=None; perpetual title
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tolkien, J.R.R.}}
[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Artists]]
[[Category:Cartographers]]
[[Category:British people]]
[[Category:Inklings]]
[[Category:Linguists]]
[[Category:People by name]]
[[Category:T.C.B.S.]]
[[Category:Tolkien Family]]
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[[de:J. R. R. Tolkien]]
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User:Quentandil

2026-02-13T11:49:21Z

Quentandil: Update

{{user infobox
| name=Quentandil / Lorenzo
| image=Maria Awsejkowa - Beleg came back to Turin.jpg
| othernames=LorenzoCB (former user name)
| position=[[Tolkien Gateway:Administrators|Admin]] and sporadic editor
| language=Spanish, English
| location=[[wikipedia:Aranjuez|Aranjuez]], Spain
| occupation=High-school teacher
| age=30
| userboxes={{user admin}} {{User Spain}} {{user es-N}} {{user ref}} {{user years|5}} {{user elves noldor}} {{user lost tales}} {{user balrogwings2}} {{user dagor-yes}} {{user aelfwine-yes}}
| userboxheight=150px
}}
{{quote|Nai Eru manyuva tanwenya ar tératuvas!|[[Aulë]] in ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]"}}
I am a reader from Spain, a member of the [[Spanish Tolkien Society]], active in the Languages Commission. My English is still on work, so I appreciate any correction, specially with the long texts.

Among my favourite characters are [[Aulë]], [[Finrod Felagund]], [[Galadriel]] and [[Tar-Palantir]].

As a converted Catholic, I like to study about Tolkien's theology and [[Christianity|Christian]] implications. I also love Quenya and writing fanfiction from time to time, expanding the work atributed to '''[[User:Quentandil/Quentandil|Riener Quentandil]]'''. Tolkien taught me I should finish things, but I can't help beginning things when new ideas come. I also translate back to (Neo-)Quenya, being the [https://lambendili.sociedadtolkien.org/publicaciones/lambendili/ ''Valaquenta'' in Neo-Quenya] my most completed work.

Beyond Tolkien, some of my interests are: Arthurian mythology, Hinduism, traditional Western Esoterism (currently very fond of ''Meditations on the Tarot''), Angelology, lifes of saints, the ''Dune'' saga, ''Berserk'', the ''Aeneid'', any work by C.S. Lewis, books by Christian mystic women, devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, recording and listening to audiobooks, hiking, cooking biscuits, Dungeon Synth...

==Articles I feel proud of==
*[[Dagor Dagorath]]
*Finishing all the ''[[The Children of Húrin]]'' chapter synopsis
*All versions of the ''[[Ainulindalë (disambiguation)|Ainulindalë]]''
*[[Gondolin]]
*All articles of the [[twelve houses of the Gondothlim]] and their lords, specially [[Turgon]] and [[Glorfindel]]
*[[Christianity]]
*[[Index:Conflicts]]
*[[Orcs/Origin]]
*[[Galadriel]]
*[[Heraldry]]

;Projects
*[[User:Quentandil/Harmony of the Lost Tale of Eärendel|Harmony of the Lost Tale of Eärendel]]
*[[User:Quentandil/Ingolonde Project|Ingolonde Project]]
*[[User:Quentandil/Quentandil|Riener Quentandil]]
*[[:Category:Images by Quentandil|My images]]
*[[User:Quentandil/Valaquenta|''Valaquenta'' in Neo-Quenya]]

==To-do==
:<big>'''[[User:Quentandil/sandbox|Personal sandbox]]'''</big>
*<big>[[Tolkien Gateway:Task list]]</big>
*[[:Category:Candidates for speedy deletion]]
*''[[The Notion Club Papers]]'' synopsis
** [[Foreword and List of Members]]
** [[The Notion Club Papers Part Two|''The Notion Club Papers'' Part Two]]
** [[Major Divergences in Earlier Versions of Part Two|Major Divergences in Earlier Versions]]
**[[Lowdham's Report on the Adunaic Language]]
*Finish article on [[Christianity]]
*All articles about the [[Valar]], specially their OVOTL sections
*The matter of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''
**Proper article for the general topic
**Synopsis of every chapter
***"[[Turambar and the Foalókë]]"
**Articles for topics exclusive from TBOLT
**Expand all OVOTL sections that should deal with TBOLT
**[[Qenya]] and [[Gnomish]]
*Inspiration sections for important articles
*An index with all mistakes that Christopher acknowledged throughout ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''

==Headcanons==
*[[Tom Bombadil]] is an extraliterary character from the tales Tolkien told to his children. Tolkien refused to remove him from his revision of ''TLOTR'' to remember us that we are reading a fairy-tale. That's why both readers and Middle-earth characters do not know where he comes from.
*[[Orcs]] were [[Orcs/Origin#Souless animals|talking beasts without soul]]. Therefore they were good creatures in their beginning, as they were directly created by Ilúvatar, but later their wills were corrupted by Morgoth. Therefore they were inclined to evil forever, unless a charitative Vala or Eru himself came to free them. If so, they could have become proper [[Incarnates]] like the [[Ents]], but they were exterminated before that happened or at least they could become civilized.
*[[Aredhel]] and [[Eöl]] are one of those few cases in which the Eldar falled into lust, as said in ''[[Laws and Customs among the Eldar]]''.
*The [[Half-elves]]'s choice was determined by their marriage, which is the union of [[hröa|hröar]]. Once they married an Elf or a Mortal, they became of that race forever. The same way, the union of the hröar in the [[Unions of Elves and Men]] demanded an ultimate choice of nature.
*The [[Ancalagon#Other versions of the legendarium|prophecy]] of [[Andreth]] is refered to the [[War of Wrath]] and was true: in his last conception, Tolkien intended that [[Túrin]] was temporarily brought back from [[Halls of Mandos|Mandos]], just like [[Beren]]. Then Túrin jumped into [[Vingilot]], and travelled with his relative [[Eärendil]] to Middle-earth. In the flying boat, Túrin slayed [[Ancalagon]], accomplishing the decisive victory against Morgoth and thus having the last word in his family's curse. Then he was finally free and leaved the Circles of the World. I was never convinced that a boat could destroy the biggest [[dragon]] in the world, but if there is a dragonslayer in it, now that's epic.
*The [[Valar]] were informed about [[Eru]]'s [[Old Hope|Incarnation]], so the first [[Christmas]] feast in the world was hold in Valinor.
*We are living in the Seventh [[Age]], which began with the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The last and Eighth Age will begin when He returns and it will last forever as an neverending Sunday.
*The [[Dagor Dagorath]] is canon in the sense that it was meant to be included in ''The Silmarillion'', but even in the legendarium it is not suppouse to happen literally, as it comes from an artificial mix between Elven and Mannish traditions. There will be an actual battle between Good and Evil, but the breaking and healing of Arda will be acomplished by Eru himself.
*Everything is [[canon]]; we should talk about "corpus" instead. The [[Global Theory]] is true. At the same time, Christopher Tolkien's edition of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' is the least canonical work.
*The [[Eldar]] had [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVnksxk5gyE Baroque dances].

==Favourites==
*Tolkien's texts
** ''[[Valaquenta]]''
** ''[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]'' (the Lost Tale)
** ''[[Quenta Noldorinwa]]''
** ''[[Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth]]''
** ''[[A Description of the Island of Númenor]]''

*Episodes in the legendarium
**[[Aulë]]'s conversation with [[Ilúvatar]] during the creation of the [[Dwarves]].
**[[Fingolfin]]'s host coming to [[Middle-earth]] under the first light of the [[Sun]].
**[[Beleg]] rescuing [[Túrin]] from the Orcs and wolves (specially in the ''[[The Lay of the Children of Húrin|Lay]]'').
**[[Turgon]] proclaiming the [[fall of Gondolin]] (in the Lost Tale).
**[[The Mirror of Galadriel|Galadriel's test]] with [[the One Ring]].

*On Tolkien
** ''[[Arda Reconstructed: The Creation of the Published Silmarillion]]'', by [[Douglas C. Kane]]
** ''[[Splintered Light]]'' by [[Verlyn Flieger]]
** ''[[The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie]]'', by Jonathan S. McIntosh

*Music artists
**[[The Fellowship (band)]]
** [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4WZErPVapopqbisADEV_Q Adele McAllister]
** [http://thangorodrimsynth.bandcamp.com/music Thangorodrim]

==My library==
===By the Tolkiens===
[[File:Quentandil - My biblioteca 1.jpg|200px|thumb|The main English section of my Tolkien library]]
*''[[The Hobbit]]'' / ''[[The Annotated Hobbit|El Hobbit Anotado]]'' (2nd edition), by [[Douglas A. Anderson]]''
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (50th anniversary edition, hardback) / ''El Señor de los Anillos'' (new one volume illustrated edition with revised translation 2024)
*''[[Tree and Leaf|Árbol y Hoja]]''
*''[[A Tolkien Miscellany]]''
*''[[The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle]]''

*''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo|Sir Gawain y el Caballero Verde, junto con Perla y Sir Orfeo]]''
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' / ''El Silmarillion''
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]''
*''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' (1st edition, hardback) / ''Cuentos Inconclusos''
*''[[The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays|Los Monstruos y los Críticos y otros ensayos]]''
*''[[The History of Middle-earth|The Complete History of Middle-earth]] I'': Volumes I-V / ''La Historia de la Tierra Media'', volumes 1-5
*''The Complete History of Middle-earth II'': Volumes VI-VIII / ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings|La Historia de El Señor de los Anillos]]'', volumes 1-4 + ''La Historia de la Tierra Media'', volume 6
*''The Complete History of Middle-earth III'': Volumes IX-XII / ''La Historia de la Tierra Media'', volumes 7-9
*''[[The History of Middle-earth Index]]''
*''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm|Cuentos desde el Reino Peligroso]]''
*''[[The Children of Húrin|Los Hijos de Húrin]]''
*''[[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún|La Leyenda de Sigurd y Gudrún]]''
*''[[The Fall of Arthur|La Caída de Arturo]]''
*''[[Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary|Beowulf: Traducción y comentario]]''

===By other editors===
[[File:Quentandil - My biblioteca 2.jpg|200px|thumb|The main Spanish section of my Tolkien library (mainly HoMe)]]
*[[Vinyar Tengwar|The Collected ''Vinyar Tengwar'']], volumes 1-5 (issues [[Vinyar Tengwar 1|1]]-[[Vinyar Tengwar 50|50]]), edited by [[Carl F. Hostetter]]
*''[[The Nature of Middle-earth]]'' / ''La Naturaleza de la Tierra Media'', edited by Carl F. Hostetter
*''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'', issues [[Parma Eldalamberon 11|11]]-[[Parma Eldalamberon 17|17]], edited by [[Christopher Gilson]]
*''[[A Secret Vice (book)|A Secret Vice]]'', edited by [[Dimitra Fimi]] and [[Andrew Higgins]]
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator|J.R.R. Tolkien: Artista e Ilustrador]]'', by [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]]
*''[[The Art of The Hobbit|El Arte de El Hobbit]]'', by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
*''[[The Art of The Lord of the Rings|El Arte de El Señor de los Anillos]]'', by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
*''[[The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (editors)
*''[[The History of The Hobbit]]'', edited by [[John D. Rateliff]]
*''[[Finn and Hengest]]'' / ''Finn y Hengest'', edited by [[Alan Bliss]]
*''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' / ''Cartas de J.R.R. Tolkien'', edited by [[Humphrey Carpenter]]
**Revised and expanded edition
*''[[The Story of Kullervo|La historia de Kullervo]]'', edited by [[Verlyn Flieger]]
*''[[The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun|La balada Aotrou e Itroun]]'', edited by Verlyn Flieger
*''[[The Battle of Maldon: together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth|The Battle of Maldon]]'' / ''La Batalla de Maldon'', edited by [[Peter Grybauskas]]

===Scholarship===
[[File:Quentandil - My biblioteca 3.jpg|200px|thumb|Section of tall books from my Tolkien library, including Parma Eldalamberon]]
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]'' / ''J.R.R. Tolkien: Una biografía'', by Humphrey Carpenter
*''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]'', by Humphrey Carpenter
*''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide]]'' (revised edition), by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
*''[[Tolkien and the Great War|Tolkien y la Gran Guerra]]'', by [[John Garth]]
*''[[Tolkien's Library]]'' (2nd edition), by Orozco Cilli

*''[[The Road to Middle-earth|El Camino a la Tierra Media]]'', by [[Tom Shippey]]
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century]]'', by Tom Shippey
*''[[Tolkien: Man and Myth|Tolkien: Hombre y Mito]]'', by [[Joseph Pearce]]
*''[[Tolkien: A Celebration|Tolkien, Señor de la Tierra Media]]'', edited by Joseph Pearce
*''[[Arda Reconstructed: The Creation of the Published Silmarillion]]'', by [[Douglas C. Kane]]
*''[[Tolkien and The Silmarillion]]'', by [[Clyde S. Kilby]]
*''[[Master of Middle-earth]]'', by [[Paul H. Kocher]]
*''[[The Keys of Middle-earth]]'', by Stuart Lee and Elizabeth Solopova
*''[[Splintered Light]]'', by [[Verlyn Flieger]]
*''[[Interrupted Music: The Making of Tolkien's Mythology]]'', by Verlyn Flieger
*''[[The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie]]'', by Jonathan S. McIntosh
*''[[The Gospel According to Tolkien]]'', by [[Ralph C. Wood]]
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth]]'', by [[Bradley J. Birzer]]
*''[[The Power of the Ring|El Poder del Anillo]]'', by [[Stratford Caldecott]]
*''[[Myth, Allegory and Gospel]]'', edited by John Warwick Montgomery
*''[[Tolkien's Sacramental Vision: Discerning the Holy in Middle Earth]]'', by Craig Bernthal
*''[[Perilous and Fair]]'', edited by [[Janet Brennan Croft]] and Leslie A. Donovan
*''[[Tolkien's Theology of Beauty]]'', by Lisa Coutras
*''[[Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography]]'' / ''La fe de Tolkien'', by [[Holly Ordway]]
*''[[Lembas Extra 2022|Lembas Extra 2022: Númenor]]'', edited by [[Jan van Breda]] and [[Renée Vink]]
*''Un Camino Inesperado'', by Diego Blanco
*''J.R.R. Tolkien. Cuentos de Hadas'', by José Miguel Odero
*''Tolkien y el derecho a la fantasía'', by Alexis Louvet
*''[[La Lengua de los Elfos]]'' (2024 edition), by Luis González Baixauli
*''Atanquesta. A NeoQuenya Primer'', by Tamas Ferencz

===My published work===
;Essays
*''La Virgen María en la vida y obra de J.R.R. Tolkien'', [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/premio-ensayo-aelfwine/ Aelfwine Award 2021]
*''The Composition of The Downfall of Númenor'', in ''[[Lembas Extra 2022]]''

;Articles
*"La evolución de los idiomas élficos", in [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/blog/2022/06/26/revista-estel-95-verano-2021/ ''Estel 95'']
*"Las neolenguas y Tolkien", in [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/blog/2023/08/18/revista-estel-97-verano-2022/ ''Estel 97''] (together with Joaquín Ocaña "Mardil")
*"Las neolenguas de la Tierra Media: Neolengua negra", en [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/revista-estel/ ''Estel'' 101]

;Fanfiction
*''Carta a Orodreth'', in [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/blog/2023/01/26/revista-estel-96-invierno-2021/ ''Estel 96'']
*''El sabio y el erudito'', [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/premio-relato-gandalf/ Gandalf Award 2023]

==Wish list (only bibliography on Tolkien)==
*''[[Tolkien On Fairy-stories]]'', by [[Verlyn Flieger]] and [[Douglas A. Anderson]] (editors)
*''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'' (2nd edition), by [[Douglas A. Anderson]]
*''[[Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary]]'', by [[Christopher Tolkien]] (editor)
*''[[Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'', by [[Marjorie Burns]]
*''[[Myth, Allegory and Gospel]]'', by John Warwick Montgomery (editor)
*''[[Proceedings of the J.R.R. Tolkien Centenary Conference]]''
*''[[The Evolution of Tolkien's Mythology]]'', by Elizabeth A. Whittingham
*''[[The Hobbit and Tolkien's Mythology]]'', by [[Bradford Lee Eden]] (editor)
*''[[Poetic Diction: A Study in Meaning]]'', by [[Owen Barfield]]
*''[[Tolkien (biography)|Tolkien]]'' or ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: His life, work and faith]]'', by Raymond Edwards
*''[[Tolkien and the Critics]]''
*''[[Echoes of Truth: Christianity in The Lord of the Rings]]'', by Michael C. Haldas
*''[[Seeking the Lord of Middle Earth]]'', by Jeffrey L. Morrow
*''[[The Return Of The Ring: Proceedings of the Tolkien Society Conference 2012]]''

__NOTOC__
[[Category:Gatekeepers with over 15000 edits|{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The White Tree and stars.png

2026-01-30T14:44:01Z

Quentandil: Added category

== Summary ==
"The [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] and stars" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]

== Licensing ==
{{Fairuse-Tolkien}}

[[Category:Images by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:Images of the Tree and the Stars]]
[[Category:Images of the White Tree of Gondor]]

File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Return of the King.jpg

2026-01-30T14:42:45Z

Quentandil: Added category

==Licensing==
{{Fairuse-Tolkien}}

[[Category:Images by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:Images of the Tree and the Stars]]

File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Aragorn's Coronation.jpg

2026-01-30T12:16:13Z

Quentandil: Added category

== Summary ==
[[Aragorn]]'s coronation in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''.

== Licensing ==
{{Fairuse-Newlinecinema}}

[[Category:Images from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]
[[Category:Images of Aragorn]]
[[Category:Images of Gondorians]]
[[Category:Images of Minas Tirith]]
[[Category:Images of the Tree and the Stars]]

Arwen

2026-01-30T12:05:29Z

Quentandil: Changed infobox image after voting in Discord. Deleted redundant image

{{infobox character
| people=[[Half-elven|Half-elf]]
| name=Arwen
| image=Anna Kulisz - Arwen.jpg
| caption="Arwen" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈarwen]}}
| othernames=''Undómiel'' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Evenstar") ''Elerondiel'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''Elrenniel'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| titles=Lady of Rivendell Queen of Elves and Men Queen of Gondor and Arnor
| location=[[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| position=
| affiliation=
| language=Primarily [[Sindarin]]<ref name="Languages">{{App|Elves}}</ref>
| birth={{TA|241}}
| birthlocation=
| rule={{TA|3019}} - {{FoA|120}}
| death=[[1 March]] {{FoA|121}}<ref>{{NM|P1xviii}}, p. 151</ref>
| deathlocation=[[Cerin Amroth]], [[Lothlórien]]
| age=2,901
| notablefor=Being granted the [[Gift of Ilúvatar]]
| house=
| heritage=[[Half-elven]] father, [[Elves|Elf]] mother
| parentage=[[Elrond]] and [[Celebrían]]
| siblings=[[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] (twins)
| spouse=[[Aragorn]]
| children=[[Eldarion]] and several daughters
| gender=Female
| height=
| hair=Dark<ref name="Many">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>
| eyes=Grey<ref name="Many"/>
| clothing=Grey raiment with girdle of silver leaves;<ref name="Many"/> silver and blue mantle<ref name="Tale">{{App|A1v}}</ref>
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{quote|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] saw her whom few [[mortals]] had yet seen; '''Arwen''', daughter of [[Elrond]], in whom it was said that the likeness of [[Lúthien]] had come on earth again; and she was called [[Undómiel]], for she was the Evenstar of her people.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Many Meetings]]"}}

'''Arwen Undómiel''', often called '''Arwen Evenstar''', was one of the [[half-elven]], married to [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]]. She was the daughter of [[Elrond]] and [[Celebrían]].<ref name="Tale" />

She was considered to be the fairest of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] in the [[Third Age]], resembling [[Lúthien]] of the [[First Age]] who would never again appear in [[Ëa]]. Her romance with [[Aragorn]] was reminiscent of that between the Man [[Beren]] and the Elf Lúthien. Like Lúthien, she rejected her [[Elves|Elven]] immortality to marry Aragorn and die with him.<ref name="Tale" />

==History==
[[File:Anna Lee - Evenstar.jpg|thumb|left|''Evenstar'' by [[Anna Lee]]]]

Arwen was born in {{TA|241}} and was the younger sister of [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> From her mother she inherited the [[Elfstone]].<ref name="CG">{{UT|6}}</ref> As one of the half-elven, she shared the right of her father to choose her fate. She lived most of her life in [[Imladris]], or in [[Lothlórien]] with her grandparents.<ref name="Tale" />

Her father fostered the sons of the [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]], who were the exiled [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]].<ref>{{App|Eriador}}</ref> It was in {{TA|2952}} when she returned from Lothlórien to Rivendell when she met a young foster-son of her father, [[Aragorn]]. The young [[Dúnadan]] fell in love when he first saw her, though as he was still a youth, Arwen did not return his love.<ref name="Tale" /><ref name="TA" />

Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]]. Whether Arwen chose to marry him and become mortal, or remain with her kin as one of the Elves, she would be parted from either Elrond or Aragorn forever.<ref name="Tale" />
[[File:Abe Papakhian - Lord of Rivendell.jpg|left|thumb|Arwen in Rivendell, art by [[:Category:Images by Abe Papakhian|Abe Papakhian]]]]
It was not until they met many years later in Lórien that Arwen returned Aragorn's love, and in {{TA|2980}} they plighted their troth on [[Cerin Amroth]]. Aragorn gave her the [[Ring of Barahir]].<ref name="Tale" /><ref name="TA" />

In the years leading up to the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Misty Mountains]] and all lands eastward became dangerous, and at the request of her father, Arwen returned to Imladris in {{TA|3009}}.<ref name="TA" />

Arwen was later reunited with Aragorn when he brought the [[Hobbits]] to [[Rivendell]] during the [[War of the Ring]]. She was present at a feast attended by [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]. Later that night, she and Aragorn spoke together.<ref name="Many" /> When the Fellowship departed and [[Galadriel]] offered them [[Gifts of Galadriel|her gifts]], Arwen's Elfstone, given from Galadriel to Celebrían, and Celebrían to Arwen, was the gift for Aragorn. He would wear the Elfstone ever after.<ref name="Farewell">{{FR|Farewell}}</ref> This giving held the function of a wedding gift from the family of the bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.<ref>{{MR|P3II3}}</ref>

Arwen wove the [[standard of Elendil]] for Aragorn from black cloth, decorating it with [[mithril]], gems and gold. She sent the banner with her brothers and a group of [[Rangers of the North]] to Aragorn before he took the [[Paths of the Dead]], thereby inspiring him to take the difficult path.<ref>{{RK|V2}}</ref> The banner was unfurled at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] to triumphantly announce the King's return.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref>
[[File:The Brothers Hildebrandt - The Wedding of the King.jpg|thumb|''The Wedding of [[Aragorn|the King]]'' by [[The Brothers Hildebrandt]]]]
After the defeat of [[Sauron]], Aragorn was crowned as [[King of the West]] and the new [[Reunited Kingdom]]; [[1 May|on that day]] Arwen and her father departed for [[Minas Tirith]]. On [[20 May]] they reached Lothlórien where they stayed for [[27 May|a week]] before Arwen resumed with her escort. On [[14 June]] she met her brothers and together they went to [[Edoras]] where they stayed [[16 June|two days]] before continuing to Gondor.<ref name="Chief">{{App|Chief}}</ref>
===Queen===
Arwen arrived to [[Minas Tirith]] on [[1 Lithe]] and wed Aragorn on [[Mid-year's Day]],<ref name="Chief" /> being the third [[Unions of Elves and Men|union of Elves and Men]]. Arwen chose a fate different from her father's and did not sail to the [[Aman|West]]. Instead, she gifted Frodo, as the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], passage in her stead, as she foresaw that his burden would not be lifted. She also gifted him a necklace with a white gem.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref>

As Queen of Gondor, Arwen maintained a close connection with Gondor's allies, as did her husband. In {{FoA|15}} they visited the [[Hobbits]] outside [[the Shire]] and she took as a maid of honour [[Elanor Gardner]], daughter of [[Samwise Gamgee]].<ref>{{App|Later}}</ref> She was mother of one son, [[Eldarion]], and at least two unnamed daughters. After Aragorn's death, Arwen departed from Minas Tirith and returned to the abandoned Lothlórien. There she stayed for a time until she gave up her life in {{FoA|121}} at [[Cerin Amroth]], and was buried there.<ref name="Tale" />

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Arwen Undomiel.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''''Arwen''''' means "Noble Maiden" in [[Sindarin]], from ''[[ara]]-'' ("noble") and ''[[gwenn]]'' ("maiden").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 205</ref> Tolkien remarked that it also means "greatly blessed" in [[Welsh]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Mr Joukes|Letter to S.E.O. Joukes, 28 August 1967]]"</ref>

The [[Quenya]] form of her name is not entirely certain, but in his Quenya greeting, Aragorn refers to her again as "Arwen" (''Arwen vanimelda, namárië!'').<ref name="Farewell" /> This suggests that the form ''Arwen'' itself is also coincidentally a valid, or at least understandable, Quenya calque (using ''[[ar]]-'', stem ''Arwend-'').

==Other names==
Her [[epessë]], '''''[[Undómiel]]''''', means "Evenstar", from ''[[Undómë]]'' ("evening twilight") and ''[[elen|el]]'' ("star").

She is also given the names ''Elrenniel'' and ''Elerondiel'', both meaning "Daughter of Elrond" in Sindarin and Quenya respectively.<ref>{{PE|Eldarin}}, p. 56</ref>

==Genealogy==
Arwen was a very distant cousin of Aragorn. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined.<ref name="Numenor">{{App|A1i}}</ref> Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the kings of the three kindreds of the High Elves as well as the only line with [[Maia]] blood through Arwen's great-great grandmother, [[Melian]].

{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| FIN |y| EAW | | GLN | | TUO |y| IDR | | DIO |y| NIM | |FIN=[[Finarfin]] ''b. {{YT|1230}}''|EAW=[[Eärwen]] ''b. {{YT}}''|GLN=[[Galadhon]] ''b. {{FA}}''|TUO=[[Tuor]] ''b. {{FA|472}}''|IDR=[[Idril]] ''b. {{YT}}''|DIO=[[Dior]] ''{{FA|470}} - {{FA|506|n}}''|NIM=[[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]] ''d. {{FA|506}}''}}
{{familytree| | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | GAL |~|y|~| CEL | | | | EAR |~|~|y|~|~| ELW | | | |GAL=[[Galadriel]] ''b. {{YT|1362}}''|CEL=[[Celeborn]] ''b. {{FA}}''|EAR=[[Eärendil]] ''b. {{FA|503}}''|ELW=[[Elwing]] ''b. {{FA|503}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | CLB |~|~|~|y|~|~|~| ELR | | | ELS | | | | | | |CLB=[[Celebrían]] ''b. {{SA|300}}''|ELR=[[Elrond]] ''b. {{FA|532}}''|ELS=[[Elros]] ''{{FA|532}} - {{SA|442}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | | |:| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | ELL | | ELO | | ARW |~|y|~| ARA | | | | | | |ELL=[[Elladan]] ''b. {{TA|130}}''|ELO=[[Elrohir]] ''b. {{TA|130}}''|ARW='''ARWEN''' ''{{TA|241}} - {{FoA|121}}''|ARA=[[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] ''{{TA|2931}} - {{FoA|120}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | EDN | | DAU | | | | | | | |EDN=[[Eldarion]] ''{{FoA|1}} - {{FoA|220|n}}''|DAU=''unknown daughters''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
While writing the drafts of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' the character was named ''[[Finduilas]]''; only during the final proofreading in [[1949]] Tolkien changed the name to ''Arwen''.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. xxviii</ref>

Tolkien considered to postpone the birth of Arwen from {{TA|241}} to {{TA|341}} , or even in {{TA|421}},<ref>{{NM|P1ix}}, p. 67.</ref> to increase the interval between the birth of the twins and the birth of Arwen where the parents were at rest, and he assigned the error in dates to a "probable scribal origin" (with the inversion of numbers 241/421).

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Arwen in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Arwen 3.jpg|Arwen at the Ford of Bruinen in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Arwen.JPG|Arwen in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Arwen.jpg|Arwen in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery>

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Arwen does not appear in this film.

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Arwen is voiced by [[Sonia Fraser]].

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Arwen appears in Rivendell after the [[Council of Elrond]]. She has a brief dialogue with Aragorn, and recites several lines from the [[Riddle of Strider]]. No voice actress is specified, but it is likely [[Kath Soucie]].

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Arwen is played by [[Liv Tyler]]. Various additional scenes pertaining to Arwen are inserted, some of which deviate from the books and some of which seem to be inspired by ''[[The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen]]''.

:In the first film, she rescues [[Frodo Baggins]] from the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] at [[Bruinen]], thwarting them with a sudden flood, summoned by an incantation. In the book, it was [[Glorfindel]] who put Frodo on horseback and sent him alone to flee the Black Riders, and Elrond and [[Gandalf]] arranged the flood. Also, in the book, Frodo defends himself against the Black Riders, whereas in the movie Arwen defends him. Arwen wields the sword [[Hadhafang]],a non-canonical sword that belonged to her father.

:There is a scene in which Aragorn has a dream about Arwen in which they kiss, a scene where Arwen has an argument with her father about leaving for [[Valinor]], and a scene where she actually departs for Valinor and then changes her mind and returns when she sees a vision of her future son, Eldarion.

:In addition, towards the end of the cinematic trilogy she apparently becomes sick, seemingly as a result of her forsaking her immortality. Elrond takes the reforged [[Narsil]], now [[Andúril]], to Aragorn at Dunharrow, and tells him that her fate has become bound with [[the One Ring]], and that she is dying. However, no explanation is ever given for these statements. It is possible that Elrond's comments of her dying is simply a metaphor of her becoming mortal, and that he is not implying she has a connection with the Ring, but that Arwen's decision to stay means that her future, like the other free peoples of Middle-earth, now rests on the destruction of the ring. Later, after the Ring is destroyed, Arwen is present at Aragorn's coronation without any signs of illness.

'''2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Arwen is provided by Slávka Halčáková. She only appears in person in the third series (season) of the adaptation, during the events of ''The Return of the King'', but is alluded to earlier.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Arwen can be found in a gazebo overlooking the path from [[Rivendell]] into the Misty Mountains. Her roles in the game was initially small, and her only significant interaction with the player was the passing of Elessar's banner that she made for [[Aragorn]] and bid the player to deliver to [[Halbarad]]. After the downfall of [[Sauron]], her prominence increases as [[Elrond]] and his household travel to [[Minas Tirith]] for her wedding. On their way towards [[Lothlórien]] from the lands of the [[Beornings]], Arwen asks her father to visit the cave in which her mother [[Celebrian]] was tormented by [[orcs]] before being rescued. She later discusses that experience with Lady [[Galadriel]].

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Arwen resides in Rivendell, where players can discuss with her both historical and present subjects. While sporting the appearance of [[Liv Tyler]], her role is closer to the book than that in the movie: for example, she provides Halbarad and the Grey Company with the banner she had made for Aragorn, an event omitted from the movie adaptation. She is voiced by [[Courtenay Taylor]].

{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Half-elven]]
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Arwen]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:semi-elfes:arwen]]
[[fi:Arwen]]

White Wizard

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Long Winter

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{{events
| image = R. Ward Shipman - Long Winter.jpg
| event=Long Winter
| othernames=
| location=[[Eriador]], [[Dunland]], [[Rohan]]
| date=[[November]] {{TA|2758}} to [[March]] {{TA|2759|n}}
| result=Thousands of lives lost in Rohan and [[The Shire]]
| partof=
| participants=[[Hobbits]], [[Dunlendings]], [[Rohirrim]]
| description=Long, cold winter; Rohan covered in snow for five months
| gallery=the Long Winter
}}
The '''Long Winter''' (November {{TA|2758}} to March {{TA|2759|n}}<ref name="Eorl">{{App|Eorl}}</ref>) was an extremely cold and long-lasting winter in [[Middle-earth]], covering [[Eriador]], [[Dunland]] and [[Rohan]].

The Winter came as cold and great snows from the north and the [[East]]. It lasted for 5 months. There was misery and death in [[Eriador]] and [[Rohan]] but it affected less the region of [[Gondor]] south of the [[White Mountains]].<ref name="Steward" />

==History==
In {{TA|2758}}, [[Easterlings]] and [[Dunlendings]] (led by [[Wulf]]) attacked [[Rohan]] from both the north-west and east. Meanwhile, three great and long-prepared fleets of [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] and [[Haradrim]] began to assail the coasts of Gondor as far north as the [[Isen|River Isen]], and some of them sailed up to Isen and [[Lefnui]] into Rohan and strengthened the Dunlendings. Because of the multiple problems, the two kingdoms were unable to help each other.<ref name="Steward">{{App|Stewards}}</ref>
===Rohan===
The [[Rohirrim]] were defeated by the invasion of the Dunlendings; [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]]'s son, [[Haleth (son of Helm)|Haleth]], was killed; and Wulf sat in [[Meduseld]] declaring himself King.<ref name="Eorl" />

The Long Winter compounded the problems: Rohan was under snow for five months with both the Rohirrim and their enemies suffering grievously from famine. Meanwhile, King Helm took refuge in the [[Hornburg]] and the ravine behind (becoming known as [[Helm's Deep]]); at [[Yule]] a great counsel was held, and, against the King's advice, [[Háma (son of Helm)|Háma]], Helm's younger son, went out in a sortie and was lost in the snow. King Helm himself would always blow his great horn, striking fear into the hearts of his enemies, and discreetly go out to enemy camps to slay enemies with his bare hands. During one such sortie he died, but remained standing upright.<ref name="Eorl" />

After the winter, the melted snow caused great floods with the [[Entwash]] becoming a vast fen. Rohan recovered very slowly.

===Gondor===
Although the Long Winter did not affect [[Gondor]] directly, it did have an indirect effect: in {{TA|2758}}, three fleets of [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] and [[Haradrim]] began to assail the coasts of Gondor as far north as the [[Isen|River Isen]];<ref name="Steward">{{App|Stewards}}</ref> due to the dual perils of the Long Winter and the war with the Dunlendings, the [[Rohirrim]] were unable to send help.<ref name="Elendil">{{PM|Elendil}}, p. 205</ref>

===The Shire===
[[File:Miriam Ellis - The Long Winter, 1158 - Gandalf Helps the Hobbits.jpeg|thumb|200px|right|''The Long Winter, [[Third Age 2758|1158]]: [[Gandalf]] Helps the [[Hobbits]]'' by [[Miriam Ellis]]]]
The Long Winter resulted in the deaths of many thousands of [[Hobbits]] in [[The Shire]].<ref name="Prologue">{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref> Although the [[Wizards|wizard]] [[Gandalf]] came to the aid of the Hobbits,<ref name="B">{{App|B2}}</ref> a dreadful famine followed the Long Winter, known as the [[Days of Dearth]], which lasted into {{TA|2760}}.

The Long Winter had a more indirect effect on the history of The Shire and [[Middle-earth]]: it was during the Long Winter that Gandalf first became fond of [[Hobbits]] and their affairs, which indirectly led to Gandalf's selection of [[Bilbo Baggins]] to go on the [[Quest of Erebor]]:
{{quote|And then there was the Shire-folk. I began to have a warm place in my heart for them in the Long Winter, which none of you can remember. They were very hard put to it then: one of the worst pinches they have been in, dying of cold, and starving in the dreadful dearth that followed. But that was the time to see their courage, and their pity one for another. It was by their pity as much as their tough uncomplaining courage that they survived. I wanted them to survive. [...] And anyway you must begin at some point, with some on person. I dare say he was "chosen" and I was only chosen to choose him; but I picked out Bilbo.|[[Gandalf]] speaking to [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]]<ref name="UT">{{UT|Erebor}}</ref><ref name="Annotated Hobbit">{{HM|AH}}, "Appendix A. The Quest of Erebor", p. 370</ref>}}

==Aftermath==
Before the spring, [[Beregond (Steward of Gondor)|Beregond]] had defeated the Corsair invaders of Gondor and afforded to send help to Rohan.<ref name="Steward" /> Come March {{TA|2759}}, the Long Winter ended and [[Fréaláf|Fréaláf Hildeson]], Helm's sister-son, came from [[Dunharrow]] and took back [[Edoras]], catching the Dunlendings unaware and killing [[Wulf]]; the Dunlendings and Easterlings were driven out of Rohan (including [[Isengard]]).

Gondor began to recover to its former power, but it wasn't so easy for Rohan. In {{TA|2758}}, the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward]], [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]] gave the keys to [[Orthanc]] to the [[Wizards|wizard]] [[Saruman]], hoping that he would help the Rohirrim.<ref name="Steward">{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Fell Winter (Third Age)|Fell Winter]] ({{TA|2911}}-{{TA|2912|n}})
*[[Great Plague]] ({{TA|1636}})
*[[Fell Winter (First Age)|Fell Winter]] ({{FA|495}}-{{FA|496|n}})

{{references}}
[[Category:History of the Shire]]
[[Category:Periods]]

{{seq-start}}
{{seq
| prev=[[War of the Dwarves and Dragons]]
| list=Major events of [[Middle-earth]]
| dates={{TA|2758}} - {{TA|2759}}
| next=[[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]
}}
{{seq-end}}

[[de:Langer Winter]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/long hiver]]
[[fi:Ikitalvi]]

Category:Images of the Long Winter

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{{Main|Long Winter}}

[[Category:Images of events]]

File:Miriam Ellis - The Long Winter, 1158 - Gandalf Helps the Hobbits.jpeg

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== Summary ==
"[[Long Winter|The Long Winter]], [[Third Age 2758|1158]]: [[Gandalf]] Helps the [[Hobbits]]" by [[Miriam Ellis]]

== Licensing ==
{{Copyright-permission|[[Miriam Ellis]]|[http://miriamellis.com Miriam Ellis's website]|Miriam Ellis}}
[[Category:Images by Miriam Ellis]]
[[Category:Images of Gandalf]]
[[Category:Images of Hobbits]]
[[Category:Images of the Long Winter]]

File:Ken Meyer, Jr. - Long Winter.jpeg

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== Summary ==
{{MECCG artwork information
|set=Middle-earth: The Wizards
|title=Long Winter
|artist=Ken Meyer, Jr.
|source=[https://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/paintings/ken-meyer-jr-middle-earth-collectible-card-game-long-winter-card-painting-original-art-iron-crown-enterprises-/a/121726-14078.s Auction]
|date=1995
}}
[[Category:Images by Ken Meyer, Jr.]]
[[Category:Images of the Long Winter]]

File:R. Ward Shipman - Long Winter.jpg

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==Summary==
''Long Winter'' by R. Ward Shipman, card art for ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''.

==Licensing==
{{Fairuse-ICE}}

[[Category:Images of MECCG]]
[[Category:Images by R. Ward Shipman]]
[[Category:Images of the Long Winter]]

User:Quentandil

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Quentandil:

{{user infobox
| name=Quentandil / Lorenzo
| image=Maria Awsejkowa - Beleg came back to Turin.jpg
| othernames=LorenzoCB (former user name)
| position=[[Tolkien Gateway:Administrators|Admin]] and sporadic editor
| language=Spanish, English
| location=[[wikipedia:Aranjuez|Aranjuez]], Spain
| occupation=High-school teacher
| age=29
| userboxes={{user admin}} {{User Spain}} {{user es-N}} {{user ref}} {{user years|5}} {{user elves noldor}} {{user lost tales}} {{user balrogwings2}} {{user dagor-yes}} {{user aelfwine-yes}}
| userboxheight=150px
}}
{{quote|Nai Eru manyuva tanwenya ar tératuvas!|[[Aulë]] in ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]"}}
I am a reader from Spain, a member of the [[Spanish Tolkien Society]], active in the Languages Commission. My English is still on work, so I appreciate any correction, specially with the long texts.

Among my favourite characters are [[Aulë]], [[Finrod Felagund]], [[Galadriel]] and [[Tar-Palantir]].

As a converted Catholic, I like to study about Tolkien's theology and [[Christianity|Christian]] implications. I also love Quenya and writing fanfiction from time to time, expanding the work atributed to '''[[User:Quentandil/Quentandil|Riener Quentandil]]'''. Tolkien taught me I should finish things, but I can't help beginning things when new ideas come. I also translate back to (Neo-)Quenya, being the [https://lambendili.sociedadtolkien.org/publicaciones/lambendili/ ''Valaquenta'' in Neo-Quenya] my most completed work.

Beyond Tolkien, some of my interests are: Arthurian mythology, Hinduism, traditional Western Esoterism (currently very fond of ''Meditations on the Tarot''), Angelology, lifes of saints, the ''Dune'' saga, ''Berserk'', the ''Aeneid'', ''Journey to the West'', any work by C.S. Lewis, books by Christian mystic women, devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, recording and listening to audiobooks, hiking, cooking biscuits, Dungeon Synth...

==Articles I feel proud of==
*[[Dagor Dagorath]]
*Finishing all the ''[[The Children of Húrin]]'' chapter synopsis
*All versions of the ''[[Ainulindalë (disambiguation)|Ainulindalë]]''
*[[Gondolin]]
*All articles of the [[twelve houses of the Gondothlim]] and their lords, specially [[Turgon]] and [[Glorfindel]]
*[[Christianity]]
*[[Index:Conflicts]]
*[[Orcs/Origin]]
*[[Galadriel]]
*[[Heraldry]]

*[[User:Quentandil/Harmony of the Lost Tale of Eärendel|Harmony of the Lost Tale of Eärendel]]
*[[User:Quentandil/Ingolonde Project|Ingolonde Project]]
*[[User:Quentandil/Quentandil|Riener Quentandil]]
*[[:Category:Images by Quentandil|My images]]
*[[User:Quentandil/Valaquenta|''Valaquenta'' in Neo-Quenya]]

==To-do==
:<big>'''[[User:Quentandil/sandbox|Personal sandbox]]'''</big>
*<big>[[Tolkien Gateway:Task list]]</big>
*[[User:Quentandil/Neo-Black Speech]]
*[[:Category:Candidates for speedy deletion]]
*''[[The Notion Club Papers]]'' synopsis
** [[Foreword and List of Members]]
** [[The Notion Club Papers Part Two|''The Notion Club Papers'' Part Two]]
** [[Major Divergences in Earlier Versions of Part Two|Major Divergences in Earlier Versions]]
**[[Lowdham's Report on the Adunaic Language]]
*Finish article on [[Christianity]]
*All articles about the [[Valar]], specially their OVOTL sections
*The matter of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''
**Proper article for the general topic
**Synopsis of every chapter
***"[[Turambar and the Foalókë]]"
**Articles for topics exclusive from TBOLT
**Expand all OVOTL sections that should deal with TBOLT
**[[Qenya]] and [[Gnomish]]
*Inspiration sections of important articles
*An index with all mistakes that Christopher acknowledged throughout ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''
*An article on [[Heraldry]]

==Headcanons==
*[[Tom Bombadil]] is an extraliterary character from the tales Tolkien told to his children. Tolkien refused to remove him from his revision of ''TLOTR'' to remember us that we are reading a fairy-tale. That's why both readers and Middle-earth characters do not know where he comes from.
*[[Orcs]] were [[Orcs/Origin#Souless animals|talking beasts without soul]]. Therefore they were good creatures in their beginning, as they were directly created by Ilúvatar, but later their wills were corrupted by Morgoth. Therefore they were inclined to evil forever, unless a charitative Vala or Eru himself came to free them. If so, they could have become proper [[Incarnates]] like the [[Ents]], but they were exterminated before that happened or at least they could become civilized.
*[[Aredhel]] and [[Eöl]] are one of those few cases in which the Eldar falled into lust, as said in ''[[Laws and Customs among the Eldar]]''.
*The [[Half-elves]]'s choice was determined by their marriage, which is the union of [[hröa|hröar]]. Once they married an Elf or a Mortal, they became of that race forever. The same way, the union of the hröar in the [[Unions of Elves and Men]] demanded an ultimate choice of nature.
*The [[Ancalagon#Other versions of the legendarium|prophecy]] of [[Andreth]] is refered to the [[War of Wrath]] and was true: in his last conception, Tolkien intended that [[Túrin]] was temporarily brought back from [[Halls of Mandos|Mandos]], just like [[Beren]]. Then Túrin jumped into [[Vingilot]], and travelled with his relative [[Eärendil]] to Middle-earth. In the flying boat, Túrin slayed [[Ancalagon]], accomplishing the decisive victory against Morgoth and thus having the last word in his family's curse. Then he was finally free and leaved the Circles of the World. I was never convinced that a boat could destroy the biggest [[dragon]] in the world, but if there is a dragonslayer in it, now that's epic.
*The [[Valar]] were informed about [[Eru]]'s [[Old Hope|Incarnation]], so the first [[Christmas]] feast in the world was hold in Valinor.
*We are living in the Seventh [[Age]], which began with the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The last and Eighth Age will begin when He returns and it will last forever as an neverending Sunday.
*The [[Dagor Dagorath]] is canon in the sense that it was meant to be included in ''The Silmarillion'', but even in the legendarium it is not suppouse to happen literally, as it comes from an artificial mix between Elven and Mannish traditions. There will be an actual battle between Good and Evil, but the breaking and healing of Arda will be acomplished by Eru himself.
*Everything is [[canon]]; we should talk about "corpus" instead. The [[Global Theory]] is true. At the same time, Christopher Tolkien's edition of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' is the least canonical work.
*The [[Eldar]] had [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVnksxk5gyE Baroque dances].

==Favourites==
*Tolkien's texts
** ''[[Valaquenta]]''
** ''[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]'' (the Lost Tale)
** ''[[Quenta Noldorinwa]]''
** ''[[Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth]]''
** ''[[A Description of the Island of Númenor]]''

*Episodes in the legendarium
**[[Aulë]]'s conversation with [[Ilúvatar]] during the creation of the [[Dwarves]].
**[[Fingolfin]]'s host coming to [[Middle-earth]] under the first light of the [[Sun]].
**[[Beleg]] rescuing [[Túrin]] from the Orcs and wolves (specially in the ''[[The Lay of the Children of Húrin|Lay]]'').
**[[Turgon]] proclaiming the [[fall of Gondolin]] (in the Lost Tale).
**[[The Mirror of Galadriel|Galadriel's test]] with [[the One Ring]].

*On Tolkien
** ''[[Arda Reconstructed: The Creation of the Published Silmarillion]]'', by [[Douglas C. Kane]]
** ''[[Splintered Light]]'' by [[Verlyn Flieger]]
** ''[[The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie]]'', by Jonathan S. McIntosh

*Music artists
**[[The Fellowship (band)]]
** [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4WZErPVapopqbisADEV_Q Adele McAllister]
** [http://thangorodrimsynth.bandcamp.com/music Thangorodrim]

==My library==
===By the Tolkiens===
[[File:Quentandil - My biblioteca 1.jpg|200px|thumb|The main English section of my Tolkien library]]
*''[[The Hobbit]]'' / ''[[The Annotated Hobbit|El Hobbit Anotado]]'' (2nd edition), by [[Douglas A. Anderson]]''
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (50th anniversary edition, hardback) / ''El Señor de los Anillos'' (new one volume illustrated edition with revised translation 2024)
*''[[Tree and Leaf|Árbol y Hoja]]''
*''[[A Tolkien Miscellany]]''
*''[[The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle]]''

*''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo|Sir Gawain y el Caballero Verde, junto con Perla y Sir Orfeo]]''
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' / ''El Silmarillion''
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]''
*''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' (1st edition, hardback) / ''Cuentos Inconclusos''
*''[[The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays|Los Monstruos y los Críticos y otros ensayos]]''
*''[[The History of Middle-earth|The Complete History of Middle-earth]] I'': Volumes I-V / ''La Historia de la Tierra Media'', volumes 1-5
*''The Complete History of Middle-earth II'': Volumes VI-VIII / ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings|La Historia de El Señor de los Anillos]]'', volumes 1-4 + ''La Historia de la Tierra Media'', volume 6
*''The Complete History of Middle-earth III'': Volumes IX-XII / ''La Historia de la Tierra Media'', volumes 7-9
*''[[The History of Middle-earth Index]]''
*''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm|Cuentos desde el Reino Peligroso]]''
*''[[The Children of Húrin|Los Hijos de Húrin]]''
*''[[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún|La Leyenda de Sigurd y Gudrún]]''
*''[[The Fall of Arthur|La Caída de Arturo]]''
*''[[Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary|Beowulf: Traducción y comentario]]''

===By other editors===
[[File:Quentandil - My biblioteca 2.jpg|200px|thumb|The main Spanish section of my Tolkien library (mainly HoMe)]]
*[[Vinyar Tengwar|The Collected ''Vinyar Tengwar'']], volumes 1-5 (issues [[Vinyar Tengwar 1|1]]-[[Vinyar Tengwar 50|50]]), edited by [[Carl F. Hostetter]]
*''[[The Nature of Middle-earth]]'' / ''La Naturaleza de la Tierra Media'', edited by Carl F. Hostetter
*''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'', issues [[Parma Eldalamberon 11|11]]-[[Parma Eldalamberon 17|17]], edited by [[Christopher Gilson]]
*''[[A Secret Vice (book)|A Secret Vice]]'', edited by [[Dimitra Fimi]] and [[Andrew Higgins]]
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator|J.R.R. Tolkien: Artista e Ilustrador]]'', by [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]]
*''[[The Art of The Hobbit|El Arte de El Hobbit]]'', by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
*''[[The Art of The Lord of the Rings|El Arte de El Señor de los Anillos]]'', by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
*''[[The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (editors)
*''[[The History of The Hobbit]]'', edited by [[John D. Rateliff]]
*''[[Finn and Hengest]]'' / ''Finn y Hengest'', edited by [[Alan Bliss]]
*''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' / ''Cartas de J.R.R. Tolkien'', edited by [[Humphrey Carpenter]]
**Revised and expanded edition
*''[[The Story of Kullervo|La historia de Kullervo]]'', edited by [[Verlyn Flieger]]
*''[[The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun|La balada Aotrou e Itroun]]'', edited by Verlyn Flieger
*''[[The Battle of Maldon: together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth|The Battle of Maldon]]'' / ''La Batalla de Maldon'', edited by [[Peter Grybauskas]]

===Scholarship===
[[File:Quentandil - My biblioteca 3.jpg|200px|thumb|Section of tall books from my Tolkien library, including Parma Eldalamberon]]
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]'' / ''J.R.R. Tolkien: Una biografía'', by Humphrey Carpenter
*''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]'', by Humphrey Carpenter
*''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide]]'' (revised edition), by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull
*''[[Tolkien and the Great War|Tolkien y la Gran Guerra]]'', by [[John Garth]]
*''[[Tolkien's Library]]'' (2nd edition), by Orozco Cilli

*''[[The Road to Middle-earth|El Camino a la Tierra Media]]'', by [[Tom Shippey]]
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century]]'', by Tom Shippey
*''[[Tolkien: Man and Myth|Tolkien: Hombre y Mito]]'', by [[Joseph Pearce]]
*''[[Tolkien: A Celebration|Tolkien, Señor de la Tierra Media]]'', edited by Joseph Pearce
*''[[Arda Reconstructed: The Creation of the Published Silmarillion]]'', by [[Douglas C. Kane]]
*''[[Tolkien and The Silmarillion]]'', by [[Clyde S. Kilby]]
*''[[Master of Middle-earth]]'', by [[Paul H. Kocher]]
*''[[The Keys of Middle-earth]]'', by Stuart Lee and Elizabeth Solopova
*''[[Splintered Light]]'', by [[Verlyn Flieger]]
*''[[Interrupted Music: The Making of Tolkien's Mythology]]'', by Verlyn Flieger
*''[[The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie]]'', by Jonathan S. McIntosh
*''[[The Gospel According to Tolkien]]'', by [[Ralph C. Wood]]
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth]]'', by [[Bradley J. Birzer]]
*''[[The Power of the Ring|El Poder del Anillo]]'', by [[Stratford Caldecott]]
*''[[Myth, Allegory and Gospel]]'', edited by John Warwick Montgomery
*''[[Tolkien's Sacramental Vision: Discerning the Holy in Middle Earth]]'', by Craig Bernthal
*''[[Perilous and Fair]]'', edited by [[Janet Brennan Croft]] and Leslie A. Donovan
*''[[Tolkien's Theology of Beauty]]'', by Lisa Coutras
*''[[Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography]]'' / ''La fe de Tolkien'', by [[Holly Ordway]]
*''[[Lembas Extra 2022|Lembas Extra 2022: Númenor]]'', edited by [[Jan van Breda]] and [[Renée Vink]]
*''Un Camino Inesperado'', by Diego Blanco
*''J.R.R. Tolkien. Cuentos de Hadas'', by José Miguel Odero
*''Tolkien y el derecho a la fantasía'', by Alexis Louvet
*''[[La Lengua de los Elfos]]'' (2024 edition), by Luis González Baixauli
*''Atanquesta. A NeoQuenya Primer'', by Tamas Ferencz

===My published work===
*''La Virgen María en la vida y obra de J.R.R. Tolkien'', [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/premio-ensayo-aelfwine/ Aelfwine Award 2021]
*"La evolución de los idiomas élficos", in [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/blog/2022/06/26/revista-estel-95-verano-2021/ ''Estel 95'']
*“The Composition of The Downfall of Númenor", in ''[[Lembas Extra 2022]]''
*"Carta a Orodreth", in [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/blog/2023/01/26/revista-estel-96-invierno-2021/ ''Estel 96'']
*"Las neolenguas y Tolkien", in [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/blog/2023/08/18/revista-estel-97-verano-2022/ ''Estel 97''] (together with Joaquín Ocaña "Mardil")
*''El sabio y el erudito'', [https://www.sociedadtolkien.org/premio-relato-gandalf/ Gandalf Award 2023]

==Wish list (only bibliography on Tolkien)==
*''[[Tolkien On Fairy-stories]]'', by [[Verlyn Flieger]] and [[Douglas A. Anderson]] (editors)
*''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'' (2nd edition), by [[Douglas A. Anderson]]
*''[[Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary]]'', by [[Christopher Tolkien]] (editor)
*''[[Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'', by [[Marjorie Burns]]
*''[[Myth, Allegory and Gospel]]'', by John Warwick Montgomery (editor)
*''[[Proceedings of the J.R.R. Tolkien Centenary Conference]]''
*''[[The Evolution of Tolkien's Mythology]]'', by Elizabeth A. Whittingham
*''[[The Hobbit and Tolkien's Mythology]]'', by [[Bradford Lee Eden]] (editor)
*''[[Poetic Diction: A Study in Meaning]]'', by [[Owen Barfield]]
*''[[Tolkien (biography)|Tolkien]]'' or ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: His life, work and faith]]'', by Raymond Edwards
*''[[Tolkien and the Critics]]''
*''[[Echoes of Truth: Christianity in The Lord of the Rings]]'', by Michael C. Haldas
*''[[Seeking the Lord of Middle Earth]]'', by Jeffrey L. Morrow
*''[[The Return Of The Ring: Proceedings of the Tolkien Society Conference 2012]]''

__NOTOC__
[[Category:Gatekeepers with over 15000 edits|{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Quentandil - My biblioteca 3.jpg

2026-01-25T19:57:12Z

Quentandil:

==Summary==
A third of my Tolkien library, English and Spanish books that are too tall. The green books are ''Parma Eldalamberon'' 11-22 hand-bound by me.

== Licensing ==
{{GFDL-self|Quentandil}}

[[Category:Collections]]
[[Category:Images by Quentandil]]

User:Quentandil/Heraldry

2026-01-25T18:41:12Z

Quentandil: Redirected page to Heraldry

#REDIRECT [[Heraldry]]

Heraldry

2026-01-25T16:10:03Z

Quentandil: Created, finally!!

[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic devices.jpg|thumb|Sketches for [[Idril Celebrindal]]'s heraldic device, by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
'''Heraldic devices''', '''emblems''' and '''flags''' are a minor element throughout of the [[legendarium]].

In the first phase of his [[legendarium|mythology]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described the heraldic devices with vivid and figurative images, as can be seen particularly in the description of the [[#twelve houses of the Gondothlim|twelve houses of the Gondothlim]]; but in later narratives, the devices became few and simple. However, around [[1960]]-[[1961|61]], Tolkien also drew several devices for characters of the [[First Age]], which are more complex, but also ornamental and abstract.<ref name="Illustrator">{{HM|AI}}, "6. Patterns and Devices"</ref>{{rp|191}} This article deals with illustrations and textual descriptions in separated sections.

==Drawings==
Probably after finishing his drawings in the 1960's, Tolkien defined some rules for [[Elves|Elvish]] heraldry:<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|191}}
*Women's personal designs are set within a circle.
*Male's personal designs are set within a lozenge.
*General (impersonal) designs or emblems of a [[:Category:Elven noble houses|family]] are set within a square.
*The rank was usually held to be shown by number of 'points' which reached the outer rim:
**Four points were for princes.
**Six to eight points for kings.
**The great ancestors sometimes had as many as 16, as in [[#Elves|House of Finwë]].

===Elves===
As explained above, the personal emblems are set in a lozenge, while houses had them set in a square, so it is sure to assume some of the Elvish designs below (for example, [[Fëanor]] and the [[House of Fëanor]]) could be used by a noble family, having them tipped forty-five degrees. Tolkien only made this variation with the [[House of Finwë]]'s. Elven designs are symmetrical in all sides, unlike those of [[Men]], so they can be used in any position in a circular movement that probably reflected Elven [[immortality]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192, 194-5}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Commentary!!Publication history
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finwë heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[House of Finwë]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Winged Sun''' / '''House of Finwe''' [> Finrod] / '''descending to [[High King of the Noldor|High Kings]]''' / '''[[Fingolfin]] - [[Fingon]]''' / '''[[Turgon]]. Those''' / '''descended from [[Finarphin]]''' / '''used blue star'''".

Both of Finwë's devices depict a Winged [[Sun]] (in contrast with [[Thingol]]'s Winged [[Moon]]); so Tolkien probably draw them with the [[Round World version of the Silmarillion|later versions of "The Silmarillion"]] in mind, in which the Sun already existed during the [[Great March]]. In previous versions, Finwë dies before the Sun and Moon are created. The sixteen wings correspond to Finwë's highest royalty among the [[Noldor]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192, 194-5}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/32/ Tolkien Art Index #32].<ref group=note>''[https://tai.tolkienists.org/ The Tolkien Art Index]'' is a very detailed reference on the topic of this section. The notes from the original manuscripts that are quoted in this article can be found in each entry of the TAI. However the site has not been updated since [[2018]].</ref></center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 194, #191
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' (second edition, [[2021]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 36, 63
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finwë heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finwë]]||A lozenge variation of the previous device. According to the rules listed above, it would be Finwë's personal device.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/63/ Tolkien Art Index #63].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'', April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', May
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'', intro
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fëanor heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Fëanor]]||The original manuscript includes the tag "'''Fëanor'''".
Along with [[Fingolfin]]'s device, this one is clearly related to Finwë's, although its flames must be associated to Fëanor's name, "Spirit of Fire".<ref name="Pictures">{{HM|PT}}, [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Heraldic Devices.jpg|#47. "Heraldic Devices"]]</ref> The coloured pieces that form the device could represent the creation of the [[Silmarils]] and crystals invented by Fëanor.<ref name="Bjorkman">{{webcite|author=[[Måns Björkman]]|articleurl=https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry.htm|articlename=Emblems and Heraldry|website=[https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/gobennas_se.html Mellonath Gobennas]|accessed=15 May 2023}}</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/33/ Tolkien Art Index #33].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), October
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-07-17
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 53, 96
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Star of the House of Feanor.png|150px]]</center>||[[House of Fëanor]]|| Originally drawn by Tolkien, the art of the Doors of Durin was emended by a printer's artist before print.
The emblem appears in the design of the [[Doors of Durin]] built by [[Narvi]] and [[Celebrimbor]], who was the grandson of Fëanor. [[Gandalf]] mentions it as "the Star of the House of Fëanor".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 304</ref> In the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Index|1966 Index]]'', it is said that this star had eight rays and was of silver. It is probably a representation of a [[Silmaril]], as the eight points are similar to the emblems of Fëanor (above) and of the Silmarils (below).<ref name=Doors>{{HM|RC}}, p. 280</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/20/ Tolkien Art Index #20]</center>
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]", [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|Doors of Durin drawing]], p. 305
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Silmarils heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Silmarils]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Ancient''' / '''Emblem''' / '''representing''' / '''one derivation of''' / '''the [[Silmarils]]''' / '''from the [[Light of Valinor|light]] of''' / '''[[Two Trees of Valinor|the trees]] upon''' / '''[[Ezellohar]]'''".

As noticed by [[Måns Björkman]], this is the only device for an object, rather than a person. It could have been used by the [[Noldor]] in the [[Battles of Beleriand|War of the Jewels]] as a mark of intentions against [[Morgoth]].<ref name="Bjorkman" /> The depicted tree is [[Laurelin]], with its characteristic green and golden colours.

This one, Beren's and Eärendil's devices are the only depictions of the Silmarils drawn by Tolkien.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/67/ Tolkien Art Index #67].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-04-04
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. i, 57
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fingolfin heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Fingolfin]] and [[House of Fingolfin]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Fingolfin &''' / '''his house'''".
Its colours are similar to Finwë's, while its flames resemble Fëanor's.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} The stars upon blue field could be a reference to his shield: "''his shield he bore / with field of heaven's blue and star / of crystal shining pale afar''".<ref>{{LB|C12}}, p. 284, vv. 3539-41</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/31/ Tolkien Art Index #31].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), November
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-03-06
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 67
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 195, #192
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 81, #39
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 141, 227
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarfin Heraldic Device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finarfin]], [[House of Finarfin]], [[Finrod]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Finarphin &''' / '''his House''' / '''esp. Finrod'''".
As Hammond and Scull explain, this device is more calm in comparison with the fiery devices of his brothers, appropiate for the one brother who stayed in the peace of Aman instead of joining the [[War of the Jewels]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} This device could be a stylized version of the crown of golden flowers in his badge: "''For [[Ring of Barahir|this ring]] was like two twin serpents, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house''".<ref>{{S|Beren}}. Cf. also {{LB|C4}}, p. 191, vv. 1099-103</ref>

||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/310/ Tolkien Art Index #310]</center>
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 195, #192
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 68
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarphin heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finarfin]] / [[House of Finarfin]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''<s>Finwe''' / ____</s> / '''Finarphin'''".
This emblem must be the "blue star" used by the descendants of Finarphin mentioned in Finwë's device, but Tolkien seems to have opted for the one above and take this design for [[#Eärendil|Eärendil]]. Notice that the design can only be used as a square, so according to the rules explained above, it must be the device for the [[House of Finarfin]], rather than a personal one.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/548/ Tolkien Art Index #548].</center>
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finrod Felagund heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finrod Felagund]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "___ '''emblem''' / '''of Finrod'''".
Unlike the other devices, Finrod's is not symmetrical at all, which suggests it could have been created by [[Men]] for him.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192}} The harp probably comes from the story of Finrod's encounter with the first [[Men]] that entered [[Beleriand]], in which he played a harp for them (''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Coming of Men into the West|Chapter 17]]).<ref name="Pictures" /> The flaming torch might be related to the wisdom Men associated him with.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/64/ Tolkien Art Index #64].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), August
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 108
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Elwë heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Elu Thingol]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Winged Moon''' / '''a black with stars''' / '''Elwë'''".

The motif of the [[Moon]] was clearly made in contrast with the device of the House of Finwë above, although the character is not related with the Moon in the stories. According to the Elves heraldry rules, Elwë has eight points, so he is half of the rank of Finwë.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195-6}} The relation with Finwë's device and its nocturnal motif probably shows that both started the [[Great Journey]], but Elwë was left in Middle-earth's night by Melian's enchantment.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/38/ Tolkien Art Index #38].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), May
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 194, #191
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 47, 122
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Lúthien Tinúviel heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Lúthien Tinúviel]]||The original manuscript includes the title in [[Tengwar]]: "'''Lúthien''' / '''Tinúviel'''".

Lúthien is the only character with two different devices, probably due her dual nature: [[Maia]] and Elf. This one is closer to the device of her mother [[Melian]] (see [[#Maiar|below]]).<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}

The white flowers that appear in both of Lúthien's devices are probably associated with the [[niphredil]] flowers that sprang at her birth, as told in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Sindar|Chapter 10]].<ref name="Pictures" /> Although not related with Lúthien, the sun-like flower could be an [[elanor]], as that plant gave both silver and silver flowers.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/30/ Tolkien Art Index #30].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), December
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1993-01-01
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), pp. 77, 85
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 197, #195
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #81
*''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'' ([[2018]]), pp. 82-3
*''[[Tolkien: Voyage en Terre du Milieu]]'' ([[2019]]), p. 270, #191
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 81
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Luthien Heraldic Device II.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Lúthien Tinúviel]]|| The original manuscript includes the title both in [[Tengwar]] and Latin characters: "'''Lúthien Tinúviel'''".
See information above. This one, with white petals and stars upon a black background, is closer to the device of Lúthien's father [[Thingol]] as seen above.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/36/ Tolkien Art Index #36].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), front cover
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (front)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), July
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 197, #195
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #80
*''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 80
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 21
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Idril Celebrindal]]||The original manuscript includes several notes:
*In [[Tengwar]] in blue pencil: "'''Menelluin Irildeo Ondolindello'''" ("Cornflower of Idril from [[Gondolin]]").
*In Latin characters in pencil to the lower right, "'''Idril's Device''' / '''The 'Cornflower' pattern''' / '''[[Menelluin]].''' / '''Origin of (often''' / '''debased) Numenorean''' / '''circular patterns'''".
*In Latin characters below, "'''Inlaid plaque''' / '''preserved from Gondolin''' / '''& descending from Earendil''' / '''to [[Númenor]], whence it was''' / '''saved by [[Elendil]] & taken to''' / '''[[Gondor]]'''".
* Date: "'''[[14 December|14/12]]/[[1960|60]]'''".

This design can be seen as twelve blue flowers upon black field, or twelve petals upon blue field. According to the rules of Elven heraldry, so many points reaching the outer rim signify her high rank as daughter of the king. Although the narratives give no explanation for this design with such colours, the blue cornflowers from the golden harvest could point to Idril's characteristic golden hair.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192-3}}

Its design can be seen reflected in the [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Tile 1.jpg|Númenórean tile]].<ref name="Pictures" />

||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/37/ Tolkien Art Index #37].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), July
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 77, #218; p. 91
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 192, 189
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #79
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 116
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Idril Celebrindal]]||The original manuscript includes sketches and several variations for Idril's devices, four of them colored, but only this one can be considered finished. Tolkien seems to have opted for the one above.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/119/ Tolkien Art Index #119].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), October
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 75
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 192, #188
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Gil-galad]]||The manuscript (a postcard) includes this and below's emblem, both of them not being completely finished, but probably Tolkien would have chosen this, as its design is completely symmetrical, it is more finished and it ingludes '''Gil-galad''' written behind it.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}}
These designs are associated with Gil-galad's name, "Star of Radiance".<ref name="Pictures" /> "[[The Fall of Gil-galad]]" mentions that "''the countless stars of heaven's field'' / ''were mirrored in his silver shield''",<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 185</ref> which is likely describing Gil-galad's heraldry.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 170</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/66/ Tolkien Art Index #66].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-04-24
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 273
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Gil-galad]]||See commentary above.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/309/ Tolkien Art Index #309].</center>
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
|}

===Eärendil===
Tolkien seems to have been quite invested with [[Eärendil]]'s device, making more variations than any other. See Finarfin's second device above, which was clearly abandoned and used as the base for Eärendil's device instead. Hammond and Scull also describe a device for Eärendil with a star of six points, two of them being longer and touching the angles of above and below.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}}<ref group=note>Unless Hammond and Scull were giving a wrong description of [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarphin heraldic device (II).jpg|Finarfin's abandoned device]], this emblem remains unpublished.</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Commentary!!Publication history
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||This drawing was crossed out and not emended. It includes elements from the two devices below, but it is unknown if it was done before.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/35/ Tolkien Art Index #35].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'', back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', February
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 235
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||The original manuscript includes "'''Earendil'''" written in two different directions, so, as noted by the TAI editors, the orientation of this device is unclear. Considering Eärendil's story, the stars should have their tails travelling straight down, as if the stars were rising, rather than falling.

Notice this device has only been included in two callendars, rather than a proper publication.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/62/ Tolkien Art Index #62].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'', February
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', February
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (III).jpg|150px]]</center>||The original manuscript (actually an envelope, dated [[13 December]] [[1960]]) includes "'''Earendel''' / '''Elrond?'''".

Being more detailed than the previous device, it was probably done later. The new incorporated elements were: a [[Silmaril]], concentric circles (maybe remeniscent of the [[:Wikipedia:Celestial spheres|medieval celestial spheres]]), inner star points and the stars in the four points are changed by the phases of the Moon. The division into twelve points makes the device similar to Idril's, Eärendil's mother.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}} The background colour makes the same connection. The phases of the Moon being different and thus breaking the Elven symmetry, could point to Eärendil's [[Half-elven]] condition.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/117/ Tolkien Art Index #117].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), February
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
|}

===Men===
Men's designs are symmetrical, but unlike those of the Elves, only horizontally, with a pushing force upwards. This probably reflects Men's [[death|trascendental nature]], unlike Elven's enclosed immortality.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Bëor heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Bëor]]||As [[Måns Björkman]] explains, following the narratives, this was the first device created for a Man, hence it is the closest to the Elven style, being symmetrical in each side. However, it is less refined and more grounded than the Elven designs.<ref name="Bjorkman"/> ||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/68/ Tolkien Art Index #68].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), January
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 131, 216
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Hador heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Hador]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Hador'''".
Måns Björkman speculates that the fiery colours of this device could be related to those of Fingolfin's, as the [[House of Hador]] was a vassal of his.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/61/ Tolkien Art Index #61].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 178
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Haleth heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[House of Haleth]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''House of Haleth'''".

Unlike the previous Mannish designs, several details can be identified within it: a tree, a vine entwined around it, leaves or fruits around its branches, and two white flowers beneath it. The grey background could indicate a dark forest.

As Måns Björkman explains, its main characteristics may reflect the preference of the [[Haladin]] for [[Brethil|forests]] and solitude. It is also notable that this device breaks the heraldic rules, as its lozenge form is not for a person.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/69/ Tolkien Art Index #69].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-05-08
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 188
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren Gamlost heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Beren]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Beren Gamlost / historical / plaque'''".
Personal lozenge for Beren, created posthumously to commemorate his deeds. It depicts the three peaks of [[Thangorodrim]], the Silmaril rescued from [[Morgoth's crown]] and Beren's severed hand.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} The star above could be a foretelling of the Silmaril's destiny.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/70/ Tolkien Art Index #70].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), August
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1993-01-03
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 93
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Heraldic device (of Man).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Men|Mannish holder]]||Nothing is known about this device, save it is of Man. It is reminiscent of Tolkien's [[Númenórean]] designs.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/118/ Tolkien Art Index #118].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), June
|}

===Dwarves===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes!!History of publication
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Emblems of Durin.png|150px]]</center>||[[House of Durin]]|| Tolkien made several sketches for the Doors of Durin, which include variations for the emblems of Durin. With the last clean version, the art of the Doors of Durin was emended by a printer's artist.

When seeing the [[Doors of Durin]] built by [[Narvi]] and [[Celebrimbor]], [[Gimli]] points to them crying "''There are the emblems of Durin!''".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 304</ref> In the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Index|1966 Index]]'', describes these emblems as "Seven stars (above a crown and anvil)". These eight-rayed stars represented the Plough.<ref name=Doors/> The crown with seven stars are a reference to [[Durin's Crown]] as sung in the song ''[[The world was young, the mountains green,|The world was young]]'': "''He stooped and looked in Mirrormere'' / ''And saw a crown of stars appear''".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 316</ref>
The anvil and hammer is clearly a reference to [[Dwarves]]' skills.

No other mention to Dwarven heraldry is given in drawings nor narrative.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/20/ Tolkien Art Index #20]</center>
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]", [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|Doors of Durin drawing]], p. 305
|}

===Maiar===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes!!History of publication
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Melian heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Melian]]|| The original manuscript includes the title "'''Melian'''".
Hammond and Scull explain this is one of the most complex designs, probably reflecting Melian's nature as a Maia and how she reflected the [[Light of Valinor|light]] of the West like a mirror.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}} However, it matches the design described in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', when Melian gave [[Beleg]] a store of [[lembas]]: "''wrapped in leaves of silver, and the threads that bound it were sealed at the knots with the seal of the Queen, a wafer of white wax shaped as a single flower of [[Telperion]]''".<ref>{{S|21}}</ref> When [[Túrin]] recognized the seal, he first refused the gift.<ref>{{UT|2o}}, p. 150</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/65/ Tolkien Art Index #65].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), September
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-08-14
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 196, #193
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 45
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - G for Gandalf.png|150px]]</center>||[[Gandalf]]||Appropiate for vandalizing doors.
 "At Bilbo’s front door the old man began to unload: there were great bundles of fireworks of all sorts and shapes, each labelled with a large red G and the elf-rune, [[File:Certh 19.svg|12px]]."<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 1.01.026}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings cover (detail).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Mordor]] ([[Sauron]]'s Orcs)||"The Orcs in the service of Barad-dûr use the sign of the [[Red Eye]]".<ref>{{TT|III1}}, p. 416</ref> "a single banner, black but bearing on it in red the Evil Eye."<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.10.031}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - MSMFC Emblem.jpg|150px]]</center>||Mordor Special Mission Flying Corps|| The original manuscript includes the note: "'''MSMFC''' / '''Mordor Special Mission Flying Corps Emblem'''", as well as the eye and the name of Sauron.
Probably a mere game by Tolkien, who probably saw that a flower resembled a pilot badge and decided to create one for the [[Nazgûl]]. The inscription "seen from below" indicates that it depicts a [[fell beast]] as seen from the ground.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|189-90}} No doubt that if that is the case, it would be an extremely stylized portrait. Notice the Eye of Sauron included in the wings in patter.<ref name="Bjorkman"/> This resembles Mordor's [[flies]], which also had it painted on.
|}

===Early locations===
In the early phase of the [[legendarium]] of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' ([[1916]]-[[1920|20]]), Tolkien made three heraldic devices for towns from England (then the core of his mythology), which he laveled with the title "'''''i·glin grandin a·Dol Erethin Airi'''''" ("the fair towns of Holy [[Tol Eressëa]]"). As noted by the editors, these towns were special for Tolkien and his wife [[Edith Tolkien|Edith]] in those years.<ref name="Erethrin">{{PE|13}}, "[[Heraldic Devices of Tol Erethrin]]"</ref>{{rp|93}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Location!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Taurobel.png|150px]]</center>||[[Taurobel]]||Labelled "'''Taurobel'''" below, and "'''Tram ⁘ Nybol'''" above.

It depicts three trees, probably [[Wikipedia:Populus nigra|Lombardy poplars]], above a three-arched bridge through which three streams flow, with some reeds on the banks. In ''The Book of Lost Tales'', [[Tavrobel]] ("Wood-home") was a town with a bridge crossing across the confluence of two rivers. The label ''[[Tram Nybol]]'' ("?Snowy Bridge") seems to be the bridge's name, although the editors are unsure of its translation.<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|94}}

[[Christopher Tolkien]] identified Tavrobel as [[Wikipedia:Great Haywood|Great Haywood]] in [[Wikipedia:Staffordshire|Staffordshire]], where his parents lived soon after their marriage, while his father was still at service.<ref name="Cottage">{{LT1|In}}, p. 25</ref> The bridge of both the devise and the narrative was clearly inspired by the [[Wikipedia:Essex Bridge, Staffordshire|Essex Bridge]] near Great Haywood.<ref>{{LR|A3}}, p. 413</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Cortirion.png|150px]]</center>||[[Cortirion]]||Labelled "'''Cortirion'''" below, "'''Tirin na Gilweth'''" around the middle, and "<s>'''Miril i·durwin'''</s>" at the sides.

It depicts a tall tower with a flag at its top, two trees at is sides (probably [[elms]]) and a shining [[sun]] at its left. Below, a peacock with a star in each side. In ''The Book of Lost Tales'', [[Kortirion]] was the chief city of [[Tol Eressëa]], and its name came from its tower (tall and grey), built by [[Ingil]]. [[Meril-i-Turinqi]] was the queen of the isle, who lived in a [[korin]] of elms.<ref>{{LT1|I}}, pp. 16, 25</ref> As explained by the editors, ''[[Tirin na Gilweth]]'' refers to "Ingil's Tower", and ''Miril i·durwin'' is the [[Gnomish]] name of "Meril the Queen".<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|95}} The peacock is clearly reminiscent of the poem ''[[Kortirion among the Trees]]'': "where even now the peacocks pace a stately drill, / majestic, sapphirine, and emerald".<ref>{{LT1|In}}, pp. 33, 36</ref>

Tolkien identified Kortirion with [[Wikipedia:Warwick|Warwick]], where Edith lived from [[1913]] until their marriage in March [[1916]].<ref name="Cottage" />
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Celbaros.png|150px]]</center>||[[Celbaros]]||Labelled "'''Celbaros'''".

It depicts a fountain with high waters. In its left, a mountain tall as a spike, with a sun at the top, and the tag "'''Ranon'''". At the fountain's right, a [[Willows|willow]] with the tag "'''Ecthelin'''". Below, two rings intertwined with the words "'''bod'ominthadriel'''". This is the only device absent in the narratives of Tolkien's mythology. Instead, it is closer to Tolkien's life: ''Ranon'' (maybe related to ''Rân'', the [[Moon]]) and ''Ecthelin'' (probably meaning "Lady of the Fountain") are likely Elvish-rendered versions of Ronald and Edith's names. The two rings and the Gnomish term ''bod'ominthadriel'' (probably meaning "coming together, reunion") suggests the emblem is celebrating Tolkien and Edith's reunion and engagement in [[1913]], after three years of wait. Therefore, the editors identify Celbaros with [[Wikipedia:Cheltenham|Cheltenham]], which is known as a spa-town with many fountains.<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|96}}
|}

===Other related drawings by J.R.R. Tolkien===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="150px" heights="150px">
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Halls of Manwe on the Mountains of the World above Faerie.jpg|A solar emblem appearing in a [[Telerin]] boat in the [[Bay of Eldamar]].
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Two Towers.jpg|The Moon of [[Minas Morgul]] and Saruman's '''[[White Hand]]''' in the original cover of ''[[The Two Towers]]''.
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Return of the King.jpg|The '''[[Livery of Elendil]]''' in the original cover of ''[[The Return of the King]]''.
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Crown of Gondor.svg|A detailed depiction of the '''[[Crown of Gondor]]''', which appears in the Lively of Elendil.
</gallery>

==In text==
Apart from those he drew, Tolkien also mentions several designs throughtout the narratives, which are included here with a visual recreation. Notice that here the devices are depicted in a shield for consistency's sake, but in narrative, they are carried in banners, standards, seals, arms, stakes, etc.

===''The Lord of the Rings''===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Grond - Royal Banner of Gondor (shield).png|120px]]</center>||[[Anárion]] and [[House of Anárion]]|| '''[[White Tree of Gondor]]''' "''the royal banner had been [[Wikipedia:Sable (heraldry)|sable]], upon which was displayed a white tree in blossom beneath seven stars.''".<ref name="RoyalStewards">{{App|Stewards}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Grond - Livery of the Heirs of Elendil (shield).png|120px]]</center>||[[Aragorn]] and [[House of Telcontar]]|| '''[[Livery of the heirs of Elendil]]''' ''"There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a [[Crown of Gondor|high crown]] above it"<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.062}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Pbrks - House of Eorl.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Eorl]] / [[Rohirrim]]|| The device of the '''[[White Horse]]''' upon Green field was used by the [[Kings of Rohan]]: "''the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem of the House of Eorl''".<ref>{{TT|III6}}, p. 522</ref> Thus, during the [[War of the Ring]], [[Guthláf]] carried [[Théoden]]'s banner: "''white horse upon a field of green''".<ref>{{RK|V5}}, p. 838</ref><ref>{{RK|V6}}, pp. 839, 847</ref><ref name=Banners>{{RK|V10}}, p. 891</ref> His heir [[Éomer]] will use it also in the times of peace thereafter.<ref>{{App|A2i}}, p. 1071</ref>

However, this device was also used by the people of [[Rohan]], as [[Éowyn]] gave [[Merry]] a shield of the Rohirrim "''and it bore on it the device of the white horse''".<ref>{{RK|V3}}, p. 802</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of Dol Amroth.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Dol Amroth]]|| During the War of the Ring, [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]] came with his army "''with gilded banners bearing his token of the Ship and the Silver Swan''".<ref>{{RK|V1}}, p. 771</ref> The Silver Swan could be seen during the following battles.<ref>{{RK|V6}}, p. 843</ref><ref name=Banners/> These symbols were later described as being combined "''silver upon blue, a ship swan-prowed faring on the sea''".<ref>{{RK|VI4}}, p. 953</ref>
As Måns Björkman explains, the [[Swan-ships]] were built by the Elves to depart to the [[Aman|West]], and the [[Elves of Lórien]] used [[Dol Amroth]] to do so.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Elrond banner.png|120px]]</center>||[[Elrond]]|| [[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]] headed Elrond's retinue to Aragorn's wedding with "''a banner of silver''".<ref>{{RK|VI5}}, p. 972</ref>
As explained by Agnieszka Żurek,<ref>Agnieszka Żurek, "Heraldry in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium", in ''The Coat of Arms: Annual of the Heraldry Society'', [https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Zurek-paper.pdf Number 239] (2022), p. 176</ref> this plain colour could be a reference to [[Vingilot]] (the ship of Elrond's father), which "with silver were her banners sewn".<ref>{{TI|V}}, p. 103</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - White Hand device.png|120px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Isengard]] ([[Saruman]]'s Orcs)||'''[[White Hand]]'''. "''Upon their shields they bore a strange device: a small white hand in the centre of a black field''".<ref name=Saruman>{{TT|III1}}, p. 415</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Saruman.png|120px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Isengard]] ([[Saruman]]'s Orcs)||"''on the front of their iron helms was set an S-rune''".<ref name=Saruman/>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Minas Morgul.png|120px]]</center>||[[Minas Morgul]]||"''a Moon disfigured with a ghastly face of death'".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.01.030}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Black serpent device.png|120px]]</center>||[[Haradrim]]||The '''[[black serpent]]''' was an emblem of a "''black serpent upon scarlet''" that was depicted on the standard of a chieftain of the [[Haradrim]] during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="Battle">{{RK|V6}}, pp. 839-40, 842</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Stewards of Gondor.png|120px]]</center>||[[Steward of Gondor]]||The stewards had a banner that was "''white without charge''".<ref name="RoyalStewards"/>
|-
|<center></center>||[[Andúril]]||"''a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun''".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 2.03.049}}</ref>
|}

===''Unfinished Tales''===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Wing.png|120px]]</center>||[[Tuor]]||By command of [[Ulmo]], king [[Turgon]] left in [[Vinyamar]] some arms for his future messenger. "''And Ulmo declared to Turgon of what kind of stature should the helm and mail and sword that he left behind''".<ref>{{S|15}}</ref>

"''Now Tuor loved [[swans]], which he knew on the grey pools of [[Mithrim]]; and the swan moreover had been the token of [[Annael]] and his foster-folk''". So when guided by good omens Tuor reached the abandoned realm, he found the arms and saw that the shield's "''field was blue, in the midst of which was wrought an emblem of a white swan's wing''". Recognizing the token as his own, the took the arms, claiming upon himself the doom they may carry.<ref>{{UT|1}}, pp. 25, 27</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Stewards.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Húrin]]||When [[Cirion]] sent several messengers to [[Eorl]], they brought with them "''a small stone incised with the seal of the Stewards''",<ref>{{UT|8b}}, p. 297</ref> which consisted of "''the letters '''R · ND · R''' surmounted by three stars, signifying arandur (king's servant), steward''".<ref>{{UT|8e}}, p. 313, note 25</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Elendil.png|120px]]</center>||[[Elendil]]|| The [[Tomb of Elendil]] had engraved simply three letters: ''[[lambë]]'', ''[[ando]]'', ''lambë'':<ref>{{UT|8c}}, p. 304</ref> "''the letters were {{tg|mode=smith|j 2 j}} ('''L · ND · L'''): Elendil's name without vowel-marks, which he used as a badge, and a device upon his seals''".<ref>{{UT|8e}}, p. 316, note 40</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Armor Emblem.png|120px]]</center>||[[Isildur]] and [[House of Isildur]]||The '''[[Star of Elendil]]''' or '''''Elendilmir''''' was first a Númenórean gem, a "''white star of Elvish crystal upon a fillet of mithril''", that was taken by Isildur "''as the token of royalty in the [[North Kingdom]]''". With Isildur's [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields|death]], the gem was lost and his son [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] was given a replica, and this token was used by the [[kings of Arnor]] and the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains]] down to [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref>{{UT|7}}, p. 277</ref>
|}

===Twelve houses of the Gondothlim===
The array of the [[twelve houses of the Gondothlim]] in the earliest version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' is quite detailed. Some of these folks have their emblems mentioned with capitalized letters (the White Wing, the Stricken Anvil). However, from some of the houses no details about their heraldry is given, but like the others, most probably they had their devices based on their names and reflecting their raiments:
*The [[House of the Pillar|houses of the Pillar]] and [[House of the Tower of Snow|of the Tower of Snow]] were both under the lordship of [[Penlod]], so they probably had similar raiments.
*The [[house of the Tree]] had green raiment.
*The [[people of the Fountain]] were fond of silver and diamonds, and bore pale and bright swords.<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|173}}

Below there are given the quotes describing the emblems hold by the other houses, keeping some pertinent mentions of their raiments.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the King.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the King]]||"''Mighty was the array of the house of the King and their colour were white and gold and red, and their emblems the [[moon]] and the [[sun]] and the [[scarlet heart]]''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}} [[Turgon]] had taken the scarlet heart as an emblem after rescuing the heart and defiled body of his father [[Nólemë]] during the [[Battle of Unnumbered Tears]].<ref>{{LT1|X}}, p. 241</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Wing.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Wing]]||"''<nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Tuor]]'s<nowiki>]</nowiki> mail of silver gleamed; and about him was a press of the stoutest of the folk. Lo! all these wore wings as it were of [[swans]] or [[gulls]] upon their helms, and the emblem of the White Wing was upon their shields''".''<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}}''
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Mole.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Mole]]||"''...sable was their harness, and they bore no sign or emblem, but their round caps of steel were covered with moleskin''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}} "''Now the sign of [[Meglin]] was a sable [[Mole]]''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|165}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Swallow.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Swallow]]||"''Now the folk of the Swallow bore a fan of feathers on their helms, and they were arrayed in white and dark blue and in purple and black and showed an arrowhead on their shields''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Heavenly Arch.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Heavenly Arch]]||"''But they of the Heavenly Arch being a folk of uncounted wealth were arrayed in a glory of colours, and their arms were set with jewels that flamed in light now under the sky. Every shield of that battalion was of the blue of the heavens and its boss a jewel build of seven gems, rubies and amethysts and sapphires, emeralds, chrysoprase, topaz, and amber, but an opal of great size was set in their helms. [[Egalmoth]] was their chieftain, and wore a blue mantle upon which the star were broidered in crystal...''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:House of the Golden Flower.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Golden Flower]]||"''[They] bare a [[Wikipedia:Vergina Sun|rayed sun]] upon their shield, and their chief [[Glorfindel]] bare a mantle so broidered in threads of gold that it was diapered with celandine as a field in spring...''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Harp.png|120px]]</center>||[[Host of the Harp]]||"''They were dight with tassels of silver and tassels of gold, and s harp of silver shone in their blazonry upon a field of black; but [[Salgant]] bore one of gold''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Hammer of Wrath.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Hammer of Wrath]]||"''The sign of this people was the Stricken Anvil, and a hammer that smiteth sparks about it was set on their shields, and red gold and black iron was their delight''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|174}}
|}

===Gnomish banners===
In some "[[Prose Fragments Following the Lost Tales]]", Tolkien wrote a short narrative about the coming of the [[Gnomes]] into the [[Great Lands]] (the later [[Return of the Noldor]]), in which their leader and their sons hold several banners:<ref name="Prose">{{SM|P2}}, p. 7</ref>
[[File:Quentandil - Gnome Banners.jpg|250px|left]]
{{blockquote|Now the colours of the Gnomes were gold and white in those ancient days in memory of the [[Two Trees]], but [[Finwë|Gelmir]]'s standard bore upon a silver field with a crown of gold, and each captain had a fair banner; and the sign of [[Golfin]] in those days was upon gold a silver sword, and of [[Delin]] a green beech leaf upon silver diapered with golder flowers, and of [[Lúthien (son of Gelmir)|Lúthien]] a golden swallow that winged through an azure field as it were the sky set with silver stars...}}

The [[sons of Fëanor]] (here unrelated to the royal house) are said to be the ones who wrought the standard and banners, which shore either under the sun, moon, darkness or mist, thanks to their [[Magic|magical]] gems sewed in them.<ref name="Prose" />

In the following versions of the story in both the ''[[Sketch of the Mythology]]'' ([[1926]])<ref>{{SM|2}}, §8, p. 22</ref> and the ''[[Qenta Noldorinwa]]'' ([[1930]]),<ref>{{SM|Q8}}, p. 102</ref> the banners are merely mentioned as being "blue and silver".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Devices in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] (2001-3)===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Isildur mural.jpg|Mural with [[Gil-galad]]'s device in a banner. Art by [[Alan Lee]].
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Flag in Edoras.jpg|Flag of Rohan in [[Edoras]], seen by [[Éowyn]].
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Aragorn's Coronation.jpg|Gondor's device in shields and banners during [[Aragorn]]'s coronation.
</gallery>

==External links==
*[https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry.htm Emblems and Heraldry] by [[Måns Björkman]]
*[[Wikipedia:Heraldry of Middle-earth|Heraldry of Middle-earth]] on Wikipedia
*"[https://www.academia.edu/4334565 The Eye and the Tree. The Semantics of Middle-earth Heraldry]", by Catalin Hriban. Published in [[Hither Shore 8|''Hither Shore'' 8]] (2011), pp. 198–211.
*"[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol32/iss1/7/ Tolkien's Devices: The Heraldy of Middle-Earth]", by Jamie McGregor. Published in [[Mythlore 123|''Mythlore'' 123]] (2013), pp. 95–112.
*"[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol9/iss1/5/ Symbols of Immortality: A Comparison of European and Elvish Heraldry]", by Margaret R. Purdy. Published in [[Mythlore 31|''Mythlore'' 31]] ([[1982]]), pp. 19–22, 36.

*[https://www.deviantart.com/aglargon/gallery/53078221/heraldry-in-tolkien Tolkien's heraldry recreated] by Aglargon
{{references|notes}}
[[Category:Art by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:Devices and symbols| ]]

User:Quentandil/Heraldry

2026-01-25T16:01:55Z

Quentandil:

<big><center>'''''This article is in process of writing at must not be seen as complete. It will be properly published in [[Heraldry]].'''''</center></big>

[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic devices.jpg|thumb|Sketches for [[Idril Celebrindal]]'s heraldic device, by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
'''Heraldic devices''', '''emblems''' and '''flags''' are a minor element throughout of the [[legendarium]].

In the first phase of his [[legendarium|mythology]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described the heraldic devices with vivid and figurative images, as can be seen particularly in the description of the [[#twelve houses of the Gondothlim|twelve houses of the Gondothlim]]; but in later narratives, the devices became few and simple. However, around [[1960]]-[[1961|61]], Tolkien also drew several devices for characters of the [[First Age]], which are more complex, but also ornamental and abstract.<ref name="Illustrator">{{HM|AI}}, "6. Patterns and Devices"</ref>{{rp|191}} This article deals with illustrations and textual descriptions in separated sections.

==Drawings==
Probably after finishing his drawings in the 1960's, Tolkien defined some rules for [[Elves|Elvish]] heraldry:<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|191}}
*Women's personal designs are set within a circle.
*Male's personal designs are set within a lozenge.
*General (impersonal) designs or emblems of a [[:Category:Elven noble houses|family]] are set within a square.
*The rank was usually held to be shown by number of 'points' which reached the outer rim:
**Four points were for princes.
**Six to eight points for kings.
**The great ancestors sometimes had as many as 16, as in [[#Elves|House of Finwë]].

===Elves===
As explained above, the personal emblems are set in a lozenge, while houses had them set in a square, so it is sure to assume some of the Elvish designs below (for example, [[Fëanor]] and the [[House of Fëanor]]) could be used by a noble family, having them tipped forty-five degrees. Tolkien only made this variation with the [[House of Finwë]]'s. Elven designs are symmetrical in all sides, unlike those of [[Men]], so they can be used in any position in a circular movement that probably reflected Elven [[immortality]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192, 194-5}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Commentary!!Publication history
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finwë heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[House of Finwë]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Winged Sun''' / '''House of Finwe''' [> Finrod] / '''descending to [[High King of the Noldor|High Kings]]''' / '''[[Fingolfin]] - [[Fingon]]''' / '''[[Turgon]]. Those''' / '''descended from [[Finarphin]]''' / '''used blue star'''".

Both of Finwë's devices depict a Winged [[Sun]] (in contrast with [[Thingol]]'s Winged [[Moon]]); so Tolkien probably draw them with the [[Round World version of the Silmarillion|later versions of "The Silmarillion"]] in mind, in which the Sun already existed during the [[Great March]]. In previous versions, Finwë dies before the Sun and Moon are created. The sixteen wings correspond to Finwë's highest royalty among the [[Noldor]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192, 194-5}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/32/ Tolkien Art Index #32].<ref group=note>''[https://tai.tolkienists.org/ The Tolkien Art Index]'' is a very detailed reference on the topic of this section. The notes from the original manuscripts that are quoted in this article can be found in each entry of the TAI. However the site has not been updated since [[2018]].</ref></center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 194, #191
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' (second edition, [[2021]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 36, 63
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finwë heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finwë]]||A lozenge variation of the previous device. According to the rules listed above, it would be Finwë's personal device.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/63/ Tolkien Art Index #63].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'', April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', May
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'', intro
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fëanor heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Fëanor]]||The original manuscript includes the tag "'''Fëanor'''".
Along with [[Fingolfin]]'s device, this one is clearly related to Finwë's, although its flames must be associated to Fëanor's name, "Spirit of Fire".<ref name="Pictures">{{HM|PT}}, [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Heraldic Devices.jpg|#47. "Heraldic Devices"]]</ref> The coloured pieces that form the device could represent the creation of the [[Silmarils]] and crystals invented by Fëanor.<ref name="Bjorkman">{{webcite|author=[[Måns Björkman]]|articleurl=https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry.htm|articlename=Emblems and Heraldry|website=[https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/gobennas_se.html Mellonath Gobennas]|accessed=15 May 2023}}</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/33/ Tolkien Art Index #33].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), October
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-07-17
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 53, 96
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Star of the House of Feanor.png|150px]]</center>||[[House of Fëanor]]|| Originally drawn by Tolkien, the art of the Doors of Durin was emended by a printer's artist before print.
The emblem appears in the design of the [[Doors of Durin]] built by [[Narvi]] and [[Celebrimbor]], who was the grandson of Fëanor. [[Gandalf]] mentions it as "the Star of the House of Fëanor".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 304</ref> In the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Index|1966 Index]]'', it is said that this star had eight rays and was of silver. It is probably a representation of a [[Silmaril]], as the eight points are similar to the emblems of Fëanor (above) and of the Silmarils (below).<ref name=Doors>{{HM|RC}}, p. 280</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/20/ Tolkien Art Index #20]</center>
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]", [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|Doors of Durin drawing]], p. 305
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Silmarils heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Silmarils]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Ancient''' / '''Emblem''' / '''representing''' / '''one derivation of''' / '''the [[Silmarils]]''' / '''from the [[Light of Valinor|light]] of''' / '''[[Two Trees of Valinor|the trees]] upon''' / '''[[Ezellohar]]'''".

As noticed by [[Måns Björkman]], this is the only device for an object, rather than a person. It could have been used by the [[Noldor]] in the [[Battles of Beleriand|War of the Jewels]] as a mark of intentions against [[Morgoth]].<ref name="Bjorkman" /> The depicted tree is [[Laurelin]], with its characteristic green and golden colours.

This one, Beren's and Eärendil's devices are the only depictions of the Silmarils drawn by Tolkien.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/67/ Tolkien Art Index #67].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-04-04
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. i, 57
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fingolfin heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Fingolfin]] and [[House of Fingolfin]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Fingolfin &''' / '''his house'''".
Its colours are similar to Finwë's, while its flames resemble Fëanor's.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} The stars upon blue field could be a reference to his shield: "''his shield he bore / with field of heaven's blue and star / of crystal shining pale afar''".<ref>{{LB|C12}}, p. 284, vv. 3539-41</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/31/ Tolkien Art Index #31].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), November
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-03-06
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 67
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 195, #192
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 81, #39
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 141, 227
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarfin Heraldic Device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finarfin]], [[House of Finarfin]], [[Finrod]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Finarphin &''' / '''his House''' / '''esp. Finrod'''".
As Hammond and Scull explain, this device is more calm in comparison with the fiery devices of his brothers, appropiate for the one brother who stayed in the peace of Aman instead of joining the [[War of the Jewels]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} This device could be a stylized version of the crown of golden flowers in his badge: "''For [[Ring of Barahir|this ring]] was like two twin serpents, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house''".<ref>{{S|Beren}}. Cf. also {{LB|C4}}, p. 191, vv. 1099-103</ref>

||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/310/ Tolkien Art Index #310]</center>
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 195, #192
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 68
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarphin heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finarfin]] / [[House of Finarfin]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''<s>Finwe''' / ____</s> / '''Finarphin'''".
This emblem must be the "blue star" used by the descendants of Finarphin mentioned in Finwë's device, but Tolkien seems to have opted for the one above and take this design for [[#Eärendil|Eärendil]]. Notice that the design can only be used as a square, so according to the rules explained above, it must be the device for the [[House of Finarfin]], rather than a personal one.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/548/ Tolkien Art Index #548].</center>
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finrod Felagund heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finrod Felagund]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "___ '''emblem''' / '''of Finrod'''".
Unlike the other devices, Finrod's is not symmetrical at all, which suggests it could have been created by [[Men]] for him.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192}} The harp probably comes from the story of Finrod's encounter with the first [[Men]] that entered [[Beleriand]], in which he played a harp for them (''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Coming of Men into the West|Chapter 17]]).<ref name="Pictures" /> The flaming torch might be related to the wisdom Men associated him with.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/64/ Tolkien Art Index #64].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), August
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 108
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Elwë heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Elu Thingol]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Winged Moon''' / '''a black with stars''' / '''Elwë'''".

The motif of the [[Moon]] was clearly made in contrast with the device of the House of Finwë above, although the character is not related with the Moon in the stories. According to the Elves heraldry rules, Elwë has eight points, so he is half of the rank of Finwë.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195-6}} The relation with Finwë's device and its nocturnal motif probably shows that both started the [[Great Journey]], but Elwë was left in Middle-earth's night by Melian's enchantment.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/38/ Tolkien Art Index #38].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), May
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 194, #191
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 47, 122
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Lúthien Tinúviel heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Lúthien Tinúviel]]||The original manuscript includes the title in [[Tengwar]]: "'''Lúthien''' / '''Tinúviel'''".

Lúthien is the only character with two different devices, probably due her dual nature: [[Maia]] and Elf. This one is closer to the device of her mother [[Melian]] (see [[#Maiar|below]]).<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}

The white flowers that appear in both of Lúthien's devices are probably associated with the [[niphredil]] flowers that sprang at her birth, as told in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Sindar|Chapter 10]].<ref name="Pictures" /> Although not related with Lúthien, the sun-like flower could be an [[elanor]], as that plant gave both silver and silver flowers.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/30/ Tolkien Art Index #30].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), December
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1993-01-01
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), pp. 77, 85
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 197, #195
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #81
*''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'' ([[2018]]), pp. 82-3
*''[[Tolkien: Voyage en Terre du Milieu]]'' ([[2019]]), p. 270, #191
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 81
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Luthien Heraldic Device II.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Lúthien Tinúviel]]|| The original manuscript includes the title both in [[Tengwar]] and Latin characters: "'''Lúthien Tinúviel'''".
See information above. This one, with white petals and stars upon a black background, is closer to the device of Lúthien's father [[Thingol]] as seen above.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/36/ Tolkien Art Index #36].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), front cover
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (front)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), July
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 197, #195
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #80
*''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 80
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 21
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Idril Celebrindal]]||The original manuscript includes several notes:
*In [[Tengwar]] in blue pencil: "'''Menelluin Irildeo Ondolindello'''" ("Cornflower of Idril from [[Gondolin]]").
*In Latin characters in pencil to the lower right, "'''Idril's Device''' / '''The 'Cornflower' pattern''' / '''[[Menelluin]].''' / '''Origin of (often''' / '''debased) Numenorean''' / '''circular patterns'''".
*In Latin characters below, "'''Inlaid plaque''' / '''preserved from Gondolin''' / '''& descending from Earendil''' / '''to [[Númenor]], whence it was''' / '''saved by [[Elendil]] & taken to''' / '''[[Gondor]]'''".
* Date: "'''[[14 December|14/12]]/[[1960|60]]'''".

This design can be seen as twelve blue flowers upon black field, or twelve petals upon blue field. According to the rules of Elven heraldry, so many points reaching the outer rim signify her high rank as daughter of the king. Although the narratives give no explanation for this design with such colours, the blue cornflowers from the golden harvest could point to Idril's characteristic golden hair.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192-3}}

Its design can be seen reflected in the [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Tile 1.jpg|Númenórean tile]].<ref name="Pictures" />

||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/37/ Tolkien Art Index #37].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), July
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 77, #218; p. 91
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 192, 189
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #79
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 116
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Idril Celebrindal]]||The original manuscript includes sketches and several variations for Idril's devices, four of them colored, but only this one can be considered finished. Tolkien seems to have opted for the one above.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/119/ Tolkien Art Index #119].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), October
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 75
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 192, #188
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Gil-galad]]||The manuscript (a postcard) includes this and below's emblem, both of them not being completely finished, but probably Tolkien would have chosen this, as its design is completely symmetrical, it is more finished and it ingludes '''Gil-galad''' written behind it.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}}
These designs are associated with Gil-galad's name, "Star of Radiance".<ref name="Pictures" /> "[[The Fall of Gil-galad]]" mentions that "''the countless stars of heaven's field'' / ''were mirrored in his silver shield''",<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 185</ref> which is likely describing Gil-galad's heraldry.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 170</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/66/ Tolkien Art Index #66].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-04-24
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 273
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Gil-galad]]||See commentary above.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/309/ Tolkien Art Index #309].</center>
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
|}

===Eärendil===
Tolkien seems to have been quite invested with [[Eärendil]]'s device, making more variations than any other. See Finarfin's second device above, which was clearly abandoned and used as the base for Eärendil's device instead. Hammond and Scull also describe a device for Eärendil with a star of six points, two of them being longer and touching the angles of above and below.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}}<ref group=note>Unless Hammond and Scull gave a wrong description of Finarfin's abandoned device, this emblem remains unpublished.</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Commentary!!Publication history
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||This drawing was crossed out and not emended. It includes elements from the two devices below, but it is unknown if it was done before.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/35/ Tolkien Art Index #35].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'', back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', February
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 235
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||The original manuscript includes "'''Earendil'''" written in two different directions, so, as noted by the TAI editors, the orientation of this device is unclear. Considering Eärendil's story, the stars should have their tails travelling straight down, as if the stars were rising, rather than falling.

Notice this device has only been included in two callendars, rather than a proper publication.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/62/ Tolkien Art Index #62].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'', February
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', February
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (III).jpg|150px]]</center>||The original manuscript (actually an envelope, dated [[13 December]] [[1960]]) includes "'''Earendel''' / '''Elrond?'''".

Being more detailed than the previous device, it was probably done later. The new incorporated elements were: a [[Silmaril]], concentric circles (maybe remeniscent of the [[:Wikipedia:Celestial spheres|medieval celestial spheres]]), inner star points and the stars in the four points are changed by the phases of the Moon. The division into twelve points makes the device similar to Idril's, Eärendil's mother.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}} The background colour makes the same connection. The phases of the Moon being different and thus breaking the Elven symmetry, could point to Eärendil's [[Half-elven]] condition.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/117/ Tolkien Art Index #117].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), February
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
|}

===Men===
Men's designs are symmetrical, but unlike those of the Elves, only horizontally, with a pushing force upwards. This probably reflects Men's [[death|trascendental nature]], unlike Elven's enclosed immortality.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Bëor heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Bëor]]||As [[Måns Björkman]] explains, following the narratives, this was the first device created for a Man, hence it is the closest to the Elven style, being symmetrical in each side. However, it is less refined and more grounded than the Elven designs.<ref name="Bjorkman"/> ||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/68/ Tolkien Art Index #68].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), January
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 131, 216
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Hador heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Hador]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Hador'''".
Måns Björkman speculates that the fiery colours of this device could be related to those of Fingolfin's, as the [[House of Hador]] was a vassal of his.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/61/ Tolkien Art Index #61].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 178
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Haleth heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[House of Haleth]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''House of Haleth'''".

Unlike the previous Mannish designs, several details can be identified within it: a tree, a vine entwined around it, leaves or fruits around its branches, and two white flowers beneath it. The grey background could indicate a dark forest.

As Måns Björkman explains, its main characteristics may reflect the preference of the [[Haladin]] for [[Brethil|forests]] and solitude. It is also notable that this device breaks the heraldic rules, as its lozenge form is not for a person.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/69/ Tolkien Art Index #69].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-05-08
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 188
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren Gamlost heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Beren]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Beren Gamlost / historical / plaque'''".
Personal lozenge for Beren, created posthumously to commemorate his deeds. It depicts the three peaks of [[Thangorodrim]], the Silmaril rescued from [[Morgoth's crown]] and Beren's severed hand.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} The star above could be a foretelling of the Silmaril's destiny.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/70/ Tolkien Art Index #70].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), August
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1993-01-03
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 93
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Heraldic device (of Man).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Men|Mannish holder]]||Nothing is known about this device, save it is of Man. It is reminiscent of Tolkien's [[Númenórean]] designs.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/118/ Tolkien Art Index #118].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), June
|}

===Dwarves===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes!!History of publication
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Emblems of Durin.png|150px]]</center>||[[House of Durin]]|| Tolkien made several sketches for the Doors of Durin, which include variations for the emblems of Durin. With the last clean version, the art of the Doors of Durin was emended by a printer's artist.

When seeing the [[Doors of Durin]] built by [[Narvi]] and [[Celebrimbor]], [[Gimli]] points to them crying "''There are the emblems of Durin!''".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 304</ref> In the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Index|1966 Index]]'', describes these emblems as "Seven stars (above a crown and anvil)". These eight-rayed stars represented the Plough.<ref name=Doors/> The crown with seven stars are a reference to [[Durin's Crown]] as sung in the song ''[[The world was young, the mountains green,|The world was young]]'': "''He stooped and looked in Mirrormere'' / ''And saw a crown of stars appear''".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 316</ref>
The anvil and hammer is clearly a reference to [[Dwarves]]' skills.

No other mention to Dwarven heraldry is given in drawings nor narrative.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/20/ Tolkien Art Index #20]</center>
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]", [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|Doors of Durin drawing]], p. 305
|}

===Maiar===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes!!History of publication
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Melian heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Melian]]|| The original manuscript includes the title "'''Melian'''".
Hammond and Scull explain this is one of the most complex designs, probably reflecting Melian's nature as a Maia and how she reflected the [[Light of Valinor|light]] of the West like a mirror.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}} However, it matches the design described in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', when Melian gave [[Beleg]] a store of [[lembas]]: "''wrapped in leaves of silver, and the threads that bound it were sealed at the knots with the seal of the Queen, a wafer of white wax shaped as a single flower of [[Telperion]]''".<ref>{{S|21}}</ref> When [[Túrin]] recognized the seal, he first refused the gift.<ref>{{UT|2o}}, p. 150</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/65/ Tolkien Art Index #65].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), September
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-08-14
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 196, #193
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 45
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - G for Gandalf.png|150px]]</center>||[[Gandalf]]||Appropiate for vandalizing doors.
 "At Bilbo’s front door the old man began to unload: there were great bundles of fireworks of all sorts and shapes, each labelled with a large red G and the elf-rune, [[File:Certh 19.svg|12px]]."<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 1.01.026}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings cover (detail).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Mordor]] ([[Sauron]]'s Orcs)||"The Orcs in the service of Barad-dûr use the sign of the [[Red Eye]]".<ref>{{TT|III1}}, p. 416</ref> "a single banner, black but bearing on it in red the Evil Eye."<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.10.031}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - MSMFC Emblem.jpg|150px]]</center>||Mordor Special Mission Flying Corps|| The original manuscript includes the note: "'''MSMFC''' / '''Mordor Special Mission Flying Corps Emblem'''", as well as the eye and the name of Sauron.
Probably a mere game by Tolkien, who probably saw that a flower resembled a pilot badge and decided to create one for the [[Nazgûl]]. The inscription "seen from below" indicates that it depicts a [[fell beast]] as seen from the ground.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|189-90}} No doubt that if that is the case, it would be an extremely stylized portrait. Notice the Eye of Sauron included in the wings in patter.<ref name="Bjorkman"/> This resembles Mordor's [[flies]], which also had it painted on.
|}

===Early locations===
In the early phase of the [[legendarium]] of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' ([[1916]]-[[1920|20]]), Tolkien made three heraldic devices for towns from England (then the core of his mythology), which he laveled with the title "'''''i·glin grandin a·Dol Erethin Airi'''''" ("the fair towns of Holy [[Tol Eressëa]]"). As noted by the editors, these towns were special for Tolkien and his wife [[Edith Tolkien|Edith]] in those years.<ref name="Erethrin">{{PE|13}}, "[[Heraldic Devices of Tol Erethrin]]"</ref>{{rp|93}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Location!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Taurobel.png|150px]]</center>||[[Taurobel]]||Labelled "'''Taurobel'''" below, and "'''Tram ⁘ Nybol'''" above.

It depicts three trees, probably [[Wikipedia:Populus nigra|Lombardy poplars]], above a three-arched bridge through which three streams flow, with some reeds on the banks. In ''The Book of Lost Tales'', [[Tavrobel]] ("Wood-home") was a town with a bridge crossing across the confluence of two rivers. The label ''[[Tram Nybol]]'' ("?Snowy Bridge") seems to be the bridge's name, although the editors are unsure of its translation.<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|94}}

[[Christopher Tolkien]] identified Tavrobel as [[Wikipedia:Great Haywood|Great Haywood]] in [[Wikipedia:Staffordshire|Staffordshire]], where his parents lived soon after their marriage, while his father was still at service.<ref name="Cottage">{{LT1|In}}, p. 25</ref> The bridge of both the devise and the narrative was clearly inspired by the [[Wikipedia:Essex Bridge, Staffordshire|Essex Bridge]] near Great Haywood.<ref>{{LR|A3}}, p. 413</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Cortirion.png|150px]]</center>||[[Cortirion]]||Labelled "'''Cortirion'''" below, "'''Tirin na Gilweth'''" around the middle, and "<s>'''Miril i·durwin'''</s>" at the sides.

It depicts a tall tower with a flag at its top, two trees at is sides (probably [[elms]]) and a shining [[sun]] at its left. Below, a peacock with a star in each side. In ''The Book of Lost Tales'', [[Kortirion]] was the chief city of [[Tol Eressëa]], and its name came from its tower (tall and grey), built by [[Ingil]]. [[Meril-i-Turinqi]] was the queen of the isle, who lived in a [[korin]] of elms.<ref>{{LT1|I}}, pp. 16, 25</ref> As explained by the editors, ''[[Tirin na Gilweth]]'' refers to "Ingil's Tower", and ''Miril i·durwin'' is the [[Gnomish]] name of "Meril the Queen".<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|95}} The peacock is clearly reminiscent of the poem ''[[Kortirion among the Trees]]'': "where even now the peacocks pace a stately drill, / majestic, sapphirine, and emerald".<ref>{{LT1|In}}, pp. 33, 36</ref>

Tolkien identified Kortirion with [[Wikipedia:Warwick|Warwick]], where Edith lived from [[1913]] until their marriage in March [[1916]].<ref name="Cottage" />
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Celbaros.png|150px]]</center>||[[Celbaros]]||Labelled "'''Celbaros'''".

It depicts a fountain with high waters. In its left, a mountain tall as a spike, with a sun at the top, and the tag "'''Ranon'''". At the fountain's right, a [[Willows|willow]] with the tag "'''Ecthelin'''". Below, two rings intertwined with the words "'''bod'ominthadriel'''". This is the only device absent in the narratives of Tolkien's mythology. Instead, it is closer to Tolkien's life: ''Ranon'' (maybe related to ''Rân'', the [[Moon]]) and ''Ecthelin'' (probably meaning "Lady of the Fountain") are likely Elvish-rendered versions of Ronald and Edith's names. The two rings and the Gnomish term ''bod'ominthadriel'' (probably meaning "coming together, reunion") suggests the emblem is celebrating Tolkien and Edith's reunion and engagement in [[1913]], after three years of wait. Therefore, the editors identify Celbaros with [[Wikipedia:Cheltenham|Cheltenham]], which is known as a spa-town with many fountains.<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|96}}
|}

===Other related drawings by J.R.R. Tolkien===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="150px" heights="150px">
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Halls of Manwe on the Mountains of the World above Faerie.jpg|A solar emblem appearing in a [[Telerin]] boat in the [[Bay of Eldamar]].
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Two Towers.jpg|The Moon of [[Minas Morgul]] and Saruman's '''[[White Hand]]''' in the original cover of ''[[The Two Towers]]''.
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Return of the King.jpg|The '''[[Livery of Elendil]]''' in the original cover of ''[[The Return of the King]]''.
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Crown of Gondor.svg|A detailed depiction of the '''[[Crown of Gondor]]''', which appears in the Lively of Elendil.
</gallery>

==In text==
Apart from those he drew, Tolkien also mentions several designs throughtout the narratives, which are included here with a visual recreation. Notice that here the devices are depicted in a shield for consistency's sake, but in narrative, they are carried in banners, standards, seals, arms, stakes, etc.

===''The Lord of the Rings''===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Grond - Royal Banner of Gondor (shield).png|120px]]</center>||[[Anárion]] and [[House of Anárion]]|| '''[[White Tree of Gondor]]''' "''the royal banner had been [[Wikipedia:Sable (heraldry)|sable]], upon which was displayed a white tree in blossom beneath seven stars.''".<ref name="RoyalStewards">{{App|Stewards}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Grond - Livery of the Heirs of Elendil (shield).png|120px]]</center>||[[Aragorn]] and [[House of Telcontar]]|| '''[[Livery of the heirs of Elendil]]''' ''"There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a [[Crown of Gondor|high crown]] above it"<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.062}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Pbrks - House of Eorl.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Eorl]] / [[Rohirrim]]|| The device of the '''[[White Horse]]''' upon Green field was used by the [[Kings of Rohan]]: "''the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem of the House of Eorl''".<ref>{{TT|III6}}, p. 522</ref> Thus, during the [[War of the Ring]], [[Guthláf]] carried [[Théoden]]'s banner: "''white horse upon a field of green''".<ref>{{RK|V5}}, p. 838</ref><ref>{{RK|V6}}, pp. 839, 847</ref><ref name=Banners>{{RK|V10}}, p. 891</ref> His heir [[Éomer]] will use it also in the times of peace thereafter.<ref>{{App|A2i}}, p. 1071</ref>

However, this device was also used by the people of [[Rohan]], as [[Éowyn]] gave [[Merry]] a shield of the Rohirrim "''and it bore on it the device of the white horse''".<ref>{{RK|V3}}, p. 802</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of Dol Amroth.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Dol Amroth]]|| During the War of the Ring, [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]] came with his army "''with gilded banners bearing his token of the Ship and the Silver Swan''".<ref>{{RK|V1}}, p. 771</ref> The Silver Swan could be seen during the following battles.<ref>{{RK|V6}}, p. 843</ref><ref name=Banners/> These symbols were later described as being combined "''silver upon blue, a ship swan-prowed faring on the sea''".<ref>{{RK|VI4}}, p. 953</ref>
As Måns Björkman explains, the [[Swan-ships]] were built by the Elves to depart to the [[Aman|West]], and the [[Elves of Lórien]] used [[Dol Amroth]] to do so.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Elrond banner.png|120px]]</center>||[[Elrond]]|| [[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]] headed Elrond's retinue to Aragorn's wedding with "''a banner of silver''".<ref>{{RK|VI5}}, p. 972</ref>
As explained by Agnieszka Żurek,<ref>Agnieszka Żurek, "Heraldry in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium", in ''The Coat of Arms: Annual of the Heraldry Society'', [https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Zurek-paper.pdf Number 239] (2022), p. 176</ref> this plain colour could be a reference to [[Vingilot]] (the ship of Elrond's father), which "with silver were her banners sewn".<ref>{{TI|V}}, p. 103</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - White Hand device.png|120px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Isengard]] ([[Saruman]]'s Orcs)||'''[[White Hand]]'''. "''Upon their shields they bore a strange device: a small white hand in the centre of a black field''".<ref name=Saruman>{{TT|III1}}, p. 415</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Saruman.png|120px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Isengard]] ([[Saruman]]'s Orcs)||"''on the front of their iron helms was set an S-rune''".<ref name=Saruman/>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Minas Morgul.png|120px]]</center>||[[Minas Morgul]]||"''a Moon disfigured with a ghastly face of death'".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.01.030}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Black serpent device.png|120px]]</center>||[[Haradrim]]||The '''[[black serpent]]''' was an emblem of a "''black serpent upon scarlet''" that was depicted on the standard of a chieftain of the [[Haradrim]] during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="Battle">{{RK|V6}}, pp. 839-40, 842</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Stewards of Gondor.png|120px]]</center>||[[Steward of Gondor]]||The stewards had a banner that was "''white without charge''".<ref name="RoyalStewards"/>
|-
|<center></center>||[[Andúril]]||"''a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun''".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 2.03.049}}</ref>
|}

===''Unfinished Tales''===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Wing.png|120px]]</center>||[[Tuor]]||By command of [[Ulmo]], king [[Turgon]] left in [[Vinyamar]] some arms for his future messenger. "''And Ulmo declared to Turgon of what kind of stature should the helm and mail and sword that he left behind''".<ref>{{S|15}}</ref>

"''Now Tuor loved [[swans]], which he knew on the grey pools of [[Mithrim]]; and the swan moreover had been the token of [[Annael]] and his foster-folk''". So when guided by good omens Tuor reached the abandoned realm, he found the arms and saw that the shield's "''field was blue, in the midst of which was wrought an emblem of a white swan's wing''". Recognizing the token as his own, the took the arms, claiming upon himself the doom they may carry.<ref>{{UT|1}}, pp. 25, 27</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Stewards.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Húrin]]||When [[Cirion]] sent several messengers to [[Eorl]], they brought with them "''a small stone incised with the seal of the Stewards''",<ref>{{UT|8b}}, p. 297</ref> which consisted of "''the letters '''R · ND · R''' surmounted by three stars, signifying arandur (king's servant), steward''".<ref>{{UT|8e}}, p. 313, note 25</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Elendil.png|120px]]</center>||[[Elendil]]|| The [[Tomb of Elendil]] had engraved simply three letters: ''[[lambë]]'', ''[[ando]]'', ''lambë'':<ref>{{UT|8c}}, p. 304</ref> "''the letters were {{tg|mode=smith|j 2 j}} ('''L · ND · L'''): Elendil's name without vowel-marks, which he used as a badge, and a device upon his seals''".<ref>{{UT|8e}}, p. 316, note 40</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Armor Emblem.png|120px]]</center>||[[Isildur]] and [[House of Isildur]]||The '''[[Star of Elendil]]''' or '''''Elendilmir''''' was first a Númenórean gem, a "''white star of Elvish crystal upon a fillet of mithril''", that was taken by Isildur "''as the token of royalty in the [[North Kingdom]]''". With Isildur's [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields|death]], the gem was lost and his son [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] was given a replica, and this token was used by the [[kings of Arnor]] and the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains]] down to [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref>{{UT|7}}, p. 277</ref>
|}

===Twelve houses of the Gondothlim===
The array of the [[twelve houses of the Gondothlim]] in the earliest version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' is quite detailed. Some of these folks have their emblems mentioned with capitalized letters (the White Wing, the Stricken Anvil). However, from some of the houses no details about their heraldry is given, but like the others, most probably they had their devices based on their names and reflecting their raiments:
*The [[House of the Pillar|houses of the Pillar]] and [[House of the Tower of Snow|of the Tower of Snow]] were both under the lordship of [[Penlod]], so they probably had similar raiments.
*The [[house of the Tree]] had green raiment.
*The [[people of the Fountain]] were fond of silver and diamonds, and bore pale and bright swords.<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|173}}

Below there are given the quotes describing the emblems hold by the other houses, keeping some pertinent mentions of their raiments.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the King.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the King]]||"''Mighty was the array of the house of the King and their colour were white and gold and red, and their emblems the [[moon]] and the [[sun]] and the [[scarlet heart]]''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}} [[Turgon]] had taken the scarlet heart as an emblem after rescuing the heart and defiled body of his father [[Nólemë]] during the [[Battle of Unnumbered Tears]].<ref>{{LT1|X}}, p. 241</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Wing.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Wing]]||"''<nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Tuor]]'s<nowiki>]</nowiki> mail of silver gleamed; and about him was a press of the stoutest of the folk. Lo! all these wore wings as it were of [[swans]] or [[gulls]] upon their helms, and the emblem of the White Wing was upon their shields''".''<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}}''
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Mole.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Mole]]||"''...sable was their harness, and they bore no sign or emblem, but their round caps of steel were covered with moleskin''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}} "''Now the sign of [[Meglin]] was a sable [[Mole]]''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|165}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Swallow.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Swallow]]||"''Now the folk of the Swallow bore a fan of feathers on their helms, and they were arrayed in white and dark blue and in purple and black and showed an arrowhead on their shields''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Heavenly Arch.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Heavenly Arch]]||"''But they of the Heavenly Arch being a folk of uncounted wealth were arrayed in a glory of colours, and their arms were set with jewels that flamed in light now under the sky. Every shield of that battalion was of the blue of the heavens and its boss a jewel build of seven gems, rubies and amethysts and sapphires, emeralds, chrysoprase, topaz, and amber, but an opal of great size was set in their helms. [[Egalmoth]] was their chieftain, and wore a blue mantle upon which the star were broidered in crystal...''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:House of the Golden Flower.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Golden Flower]]||"''[They] bare a [[Wikipedia:Vergina Sun|rayed sun]] upon their shield, and their chief [[Glorfindel]] bare a mantle so broidered in threads of gold that it was diapered with celandine as a field in spring...''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Harp.png|120px]]</center>||[[Host of the Harp]]||"''They were dight with tassels of silver and tassels of gold, and s harp of silver shone in their blazonry upon a field of black; but [[Salgant]] bore one of gold''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Hammer of Wrath.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Hammer of Wrath]]||"''The sign of this people was the Stricken Anvil, and a hammer that smiteth sparks about it was set on their shields, and red gold and black iron was their delight''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|174}}
|}

===Gnomish banners===
In some "[[Prose Fragments Following the Lost Tales]]", Tolkien wrote a short narrative about the coming of the [[Gnomes]] into the [[Great Lands]] (the later [[Return of the Noldor]]), in which their leader and their sons hold several banners:<ref name="Prose">{{SM|P2}}, p. 7</ref>
[[File:Quentandil - Gnome Banners.jpg|250px|left]]
{{blockquote|Now the colours of the Gnomes were gold and white in those ancient days in memory of the [[Two Trees]], but [[Finwë|Gelmir]]'s standard bore upon a silver field with a crown of gold, and each captain had a fair banner; and the sign of [[Golfin]] in those days was upon gold a silver sword, and of [[Delin]] a green beech leaf upon silver diapered with golder flowers, and of [[Lúthien (son of Gelmir)|Lúthien]] a golden swallow that winged through an azure field as it were the sky set with silver stars...}}

The [[sons of Fëanor]] (here unrelated to the royal house) are said to be the ones who wrought the standard and banners, which shore either under the sun, moon, darkness or mist, thanks to their [[Magic|magical]] gems sewed in them.<ref name="Prose" />

In the following versions of the story in both the ''[[Sketch of the Mythology]]'' ([[1926]])<ref>{{SM|2}}, §8, p. 22</ref> and the ''[[Qenta Noldorinwa]]'' ([[1930]]),<ref>{{SM|Q8}}, p. 102</ref> the banners are merely mentioned as being "blue and silver".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Devices in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] (2001-3)===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Isildur mural.jpg|Mural with [[Gil-galad]]'s device in a banner. Art by [[Alan Lee]].
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Flag in Edoras.jpg|Flag of Rohan in [[Edoras]], seen by [[Éowyn]].
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Aragorn's Coronation.jpg|Gondor's device in shields and banners during [[Aragorn]]'s coronation.
</gallery>

==External links==
*[https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry.htm Emblems and Heraldry] by [[Måns Björkman]]
*[[Wikipedia:Heraldry of Middle-earth|Heraldry of Middle-earth]] on Wikipedia
*"[https://www.academia.edu/4334565 The Eye and the Tree. The Semantics of Middle-earth Heraldry]", by Catalin Hriban. Published in [[Hither Shore 8|''Hither Shore'' 8]] (2011), pp. 198–211.
*"[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol32/iss1/7/ Tolkien's Devices: The Heraldy of Middle-Earth]", by Jamie McGregor. Published in [[Mythlore 123|''Mythlore'' 123]] (2013), pp. 95–112.
*"[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol9/iss1/5/ Symbols of Immortality: A Comparison of European and Elvish Heraldry]", by Margaret R. Purdy. Published in [[Mythlore 31|''Mythlore'' 31]] ([[1982]]), pp. 19–22, 36.

*[https://www.deviantart.com/aglargon/gallery/53078221/heraldry-in-tolkien Tolkien's heraldry recreated] by Aglargon
{{references|notes}}

User:Quentandil/Heraldry

2026-01-25T00:53:41Z

Quentandil: /* Eärendil */ Finished (?) section

<big><center>'''''This article is in process of writing at must not be seen as complete. It will be properly published in [[Heraldry]].'''''</center></big>

[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic devices.jpg|thumb|Sketches for [[Idril Celebrindal]]'s heraldic device, by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
'''Heraldic devices''', '''emblems''' and '''flags''' are a minor element throughout of the [[legendarium]].

In the first phase of his [[legendarium|mythology]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described the heraldic devices with vivid and figurative images, as can be seen particularly in the description of the [[#twelve houses of the Gondothlim|twelve houses of the Gondothlim]]; but in later narratives, the devices became few and simple. However, around [[1960]]-[[1961|61]], Tolkien also drew several devices for characters of the [[First Age]], which are more complex, but also ornamental and abstract.<ref name="Illustrator">{{HM|AI}}, "6. Patterns and Devices"</ref>{{rp|191}} This article deals with illustrations and textual descriptions in separated sections.

==Drawings==
Probably after finishing his drawings in the 1960's, Tolkien defined some rules for [[Elves|Elvish]] heraldry:<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|191}}
*Women's personal designs are set within a circle.
*Male's personal designs are set within a lozenge.
*General (impersonal) designs or emblems of a [[:Category:Elven noble houses|family]] are set within a square.
*The rank was usually held to be shown by number of 'points' which reached the outer rim:
**Four points were for princes.
**Six to eight points for kings.
**The great ancestors sometimes had as many as 16, as in [[#Elves|House of Finwë]].

===Elves===
As explained above, the personal emblems are set in a lozenge, while houses had them set in a square, so it is sure to assume some of the Elvish designs below (for example, [[Fëanor]] and the [[House of Fëanor]]) could be used by a noble family, having them tipped forty-five degrees. Tolkien only made this variation with the [[House of Finwë]]'s. Elven designs are symmetrical in all sides, unlike those of [[Men]], so they can be used in any position in a circular movement that probably reflected Elven [[immortality]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192, 194-5}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Commentary!!Publication history
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finwë heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[House of Finwë]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Winged Sun''' / '''House of Finwe''' [> Finrod] / '''descending to [[High King of the Noldor|High Kings]]''' / '''[[Fingolfin]] - [[Fingon]]''' / '''[[Turgon]]. Those''' / '''descended from [[Finarphin]]''' / '''used blue star'''".

Both of Finwë's devices depict a Winged [[Sun]] (in contrast with [[Thingol]]'s Winged [[Moon]]); so Tolkien probably draw them with the [[Round World version of the Silmarillion|later versions of "The Silmarillion"]] in mind, in which the Sun already existed during the [[Great March]]. In previous versions, Finwë dies before the Sun and Moon are created. The sixteen wings correspond to Finwë's highest royalty among the [[Noldor]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192, 194-5}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/32/ Tolkien Art Index #32].<ref group=note>''[https://tai.tolkienists.org/ The Tolkien Art Index]'' is a very detailed reference on the topic of this section. The notes from the original manuscripts that are quoted in this article can be found in each entry of the TAI. However the site has not been updated since [[2018]].</ref></center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 194, #191
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' (second edition, [[2021]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 36, 63
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finwë heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finwë]]||A lozenge variation of the previous device. According to the rules listed above, it would be Finwë's personal device.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/63/ Tolkien Art Index #63].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'', April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', May
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'', intro
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fëanor heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Fëanor]]||The original manuscript includes the tag "'''Fëanor'''".
Along with [[Fingolfin]]'s device, this one is clearly related to Finwë's, although its flames must be associated to Fëanor's name, "Spirit of Fire".<ref name="Pictures">{{HM|PT}}, [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Heraldic Devices.jpg|#47. "Heraldic Devices"]]</ref> The coloured pieces that form the device could represent the creation of the [[Silmarils]] and crystals invented by Fëanor.<ref name="Bjorkman">{{webcite|author=[[Måns Björkman]]|articleurl=https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry.htm|articlename=Emblems and Heraldry|website=[https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/gobennas_se.html Mellonath Gobennas]|accessed=15 May 2023}}</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/33/ Tolkien Art Index #33].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), October
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-07-17
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 53, 96
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Star of the House of Feanor.png|150px]]</center>||[[House of Fëanor]]|| Originally drawn by Tolkien, the art of the Doors of Durin was emended by a printer's artist before print.
The emblem appears in the design of the [[Doors of Durin]] built by [[Narvi]] and [[Celebrimbor]], who was the grandson of Fëanor. [[Gandalf]] mentions it as "the Star of the House of Fëanor".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 304</ref> In the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Index|1966 Index]]'', it is said that this star had eight rays and was of silver. It is probably a representation of a [[Silmaril]], as the eight points are similar to the emblems of Fëanor (above) and of the Silmarils (below).<ref name=Doors>{{HM|RC}}, p. 280</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/20/ Tolkien Art Index #20]</center>
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]", [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|Doors of Durin drawing]], p. 305
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Silmarils heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Silmarils]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Ancient''' / '''Emblem''' / '''representing''' / '''one derivation of''' / '''the [[Silmarils]]''' / '''from the [[Light of Valinor|light]] of''' / '''[[Two Trees of Valinor|the trees]] upon''' / '''[[Ezellohar]]'''".

As noticed by [[Måns Björkman]], this is the only device for an object, rather than a person. It could have been used by the [[Noldor]] in the [[Battles of Beleriand|War of the Jewels]] as a mark of intentions against [[Morgoth]].<ref name="Bjorkman" /> The depicted tree is [[Laurelin]], with its characteristic green and golden colours.

This one, Beren's and Eärendil's devices are the only depictions of the Silmarils drawn by Tolkien.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/67/ Tolkien Art Index #67].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-04-04
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. i, 57
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fingolfin heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Fingolfin]] and [[House of Fingolfin]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Fingolfin &''' / '''his house'''".
Its colours are similar to Finwë's, while its flames resemble Fëanor's.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} The stars upon blue field could be a reference to his shield: "''his shield he bore / with field of heaven's blue and star / of crystal shining pale afar''".<ref>{{LB|C12}}, p. 284, vv. 3539-41</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/31/ Tolkien Art Index #31].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), November
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-03-06
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 67
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 195, #192
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 81, #39
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 141, 227
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarfin Heraldic Device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finarfin]], [[House of Finarfin]], [[Finrod]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Finarphin &''' / '''his House''' / '''esp. Finrod'''".
As Hammond and Scull explain, this device is more calm in comparison with the fiery devices of his brothers, appropiate for the one brother who stayed in the peace of Aman instead of joining the [[War of the Jewels]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} This device could be a stylized version of the crown of golden flowers in his badge: "''For [[Ring of Barahir|this ring]] was like two twin serpents, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house''".<ref>{{S|Beren}}. Cf. also {{LB|C4}}, p. 191, vv. 1099-103</ref>

||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/310/ Tolkien Art Index #310]</center>
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 195, #192
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 68
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarphin heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finarfin]] / [[House of Finarfin]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''<s>Finwe''' / ____</s> / '''Finarphin'''".
This emblem must be the "blue star" used by the descendants of Finarphin mentioned in Finwë's device, but Tolkien seems to have opted for the one above and take this design for [[#Eärendil|Eärendil]]. Notice that the design can only be used as a square, so according to the rules explained above, it must be the device for the [[House of Finarfin]], rather than a personal one.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/548/ Tolkien Art Index #548].</center>
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finrod Felagund heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finrod Felagund]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "___ '''emblem''' / '''of Finrod'''".
Unlike the other devices, Finrod's is not symmetrical at all, which suggests it could have been created by [[Men]] for him.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192}} The harp probably comes from the story of Finrod's encounter with the first [[Men]] that entered [[Beleriand]], in which he played a harp for them (''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Coming of Men into the West|Chapter 17]]).<ref name="Pictures" /> The flaming torch might be related to the wisdom Men associated him with.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/64/ Tolkien Art Index #64].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), August
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 108
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Elwë heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Elu Thingol]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Winged Moon''' / '''a black with stars''' / '''Elwë'''".

The motif of the [[Moon]] was clearly made in contrast with the device of the House of Finwë above, although the character is not related with the Moon in the stories. According to the Elves heraldry rules, Elwë has eight points, so he is half of the rank of Finwë.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195-6}} The relation with Finwë's device and its nocturnal motif probably shows that both started the [[Great Journey]], but Elwë was left in Middle-earth's night by Melian's enchantment.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/38/ Tolkien Art Index #38].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), May
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 194, #191
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 47, 122
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Lúthien Tinúviel heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Lúthien Tinúviel]]||The original manuscript includes the title in [[Tengwar]]: "'''Lúthien''' / '''Tinúviel'''".

Lúthien is the only character with two different devices, probably due her dual nature: [[Maia]] and Elf. This one is closer to the device of her mother [[Melian]] (see [[#Maiar|below]]).<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}

The white flowers that appear in both of Lúthien's devices are probably associated with the [[niphredil]] flowers that sprang at her birth, as told in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Sindar|Chapter 10]].<ref name="Pictures" /> Although not related with Lúthien, the sun-like flower could be an [[elanor]], as that plant gave both silver and silver flowers.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/30/ Tolkien Art Index #30].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), December
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1993-01-01
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), pp. 77, 85
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 197, #195
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #81
*''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'' ([[2018]]), pp. 82-3
*''[[Tolkien: Voyage en Terre du Milieu]]'' ([[2019]]), p. 270, #191
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 81
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Luthien Heraldic Device II.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Lúthien Tinúviel]]|| The original manuscript includes the title both in [[Tengwar]] and Latin characters: "'''Lúthien Tinúviel'''".
See information above. This one, with white petals and stars upon a black background, is closer to the device of Lúthien's father [[Thingol]] as seen above.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/36/ Tolkien Art Index #36].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), front cover
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (front)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), July
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 197, #195
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #80
*''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 80
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 21
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Idril Celebrindal]]||The original manuscript includes several notes:
*In [[Tengwar]] in blue pencil: "'''Menelluin Irildeo Ondolindello'''" ("Cornflower of Idril from [[Gondolin]]").
*In Latin characters in pencil to the lower right, "'''Idril's Device''' / '''The 'Cornflower' pattern''' / '''[[Menelluin]].''' / '''Origin of (often''' / '''debased) Numenorean''' / '''circular patterns'''".
*In Latin characters below, "'''Inlaid plaque''' / '''preserved from Gondolin''' / '''& descending from Earendil''' / '''to [[Númenor]], whence it was''' / '''saved by [[Elendil]] & taken to''' / '''[[Gondor]]'''".
* Date: "'''[[14 December|14/12]]/[[1960|60]]'''".

This design can be seen as twelve blue flowers upon black field, or twelve petals upon blue field. According to the rules of Elven heraldry, so many points reaching the outer rim signify her high rank as daughter of the king. Although the narratives give no explanation for this design with such colours, the blue cornflowers from the golden harvest could point to Idril's characteristic golden hair.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192-3}}

Its design can be seen reflected in the [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Tile 1.jpg|Númenórean tile]].<ref name="Pictures" />

||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/37/ Tolkien Art Index #37].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), July
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 77, #218; p. 91
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 192, 189
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #79
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 116
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Idril Celebrindal]]||The original manuscript includes sketches and several variations for Idril's devices, four of them colored, but only this one can be considered finished. Tolkien seems to have opted for the one above.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/119/ Tolkien Art Index #119].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), October
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 75
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 192, #188
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Gil-galad]]||The manuscript (a postcard) includes this and below's emblem, both of them not being completely finished, but probably Tolkien would have chosen this, as its design is completely symmetrical, it is more finished and it ingludes '''Gil-galad''' written behind it.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}}
These designs are associated with Gil-galad's name, "Star of Radiance".<ref name="Pictures" /> "[[The Fall of Gil-galad]]" mentions that "''the countless stars of heaven's field'' / ''were mirrored in his silver shield''",<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 185</ref> which is likely describing Gil-galad's heraldry.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 170</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/66/ Tolkien Art Index #66].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-04-24
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 273
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Gil-galad]]||See commentary above.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/309/ Tolkien Art Index #309].</center>
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
|}

===Eärendil===
Tolkien seems to have been quite invested with [[Eärendil]]'s device, making more variations than any other. See Finarfin's second device above, which was clearly abandoned and used as the base for Eärendil's device instead. Hammond and Scull describe a device a star of six points, two of them being longer and touching the angles of above and below;<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}} this emblem remains unpublished.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Commentary!!Publication history
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||This drawing was crossed out and not emended. It includes elements from the two devices below, but it is unknown if it was done before.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/35/ Tolkien Art Index #35].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'', back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', February
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 235
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||The original manuscript includes "'''Earendil'''" written in two different directions, so, as noted by the TAI editors, the orientation of this device is unclear. Considering Eärendil's story, the stars should have their tails travelling straight down, as if the stars were rising, rather than falling.

Notice this device has only been included in two callendars, rather than a proper publication.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/62/ Tolkien Art Index #62].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'', February
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', February
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (III).jpg|150px]]</center>||The original manuscript (actually an envelope, dated [[13 December]] [[1960]]) includes "'''Earendel''' / '''Elrond?'''".

Being more detailed than the previous device, it was probably done later. The new elements incorporated were: a [[Silmaril]], concentric circles (maybe remeniscent of the [[:Wikipedia:Celestial spheres|medieval celestial spheres]]), inner star points and the stars in the four points are changed by the phases of the Moon. The division into twelve points makes the device similar to Idril's.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}} The background colour makes the same connection. The phases of the Moon being different and thus breaking the Elven symmetry, could point to Eärendil's [[Half-elven]] condition.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/117/ Tolkien Art Index #117].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), February
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
|}

===Men===
Men's designs are symmetrical, but unlike those of the Elves, only horizontally, with a pushing force upwards. This probably reflects Men's [[death|trascendental nature]], unlike Elven's enclosed immortality.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Bëor heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Bëor]]||As [[Måns Björkman]] explains, following the narratives, this was the first device created for a Man, hence it is the closest to the Elven style, being symmetrical in each side. However, it is less refined and more grounded than the Elven designs.<ref name="Bjorkman"/> ||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/68/ Tolkien Art Index #68].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), January
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 131, 216
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Hador heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Hador]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Hador'''".
Måns Björkman speculates that the fiery colours of this device could be related to those of Fingolfin's, as the [[House of Hador]] was a vassal of his.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/61/ Tolkien Art Index #61].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 178
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Haleth heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[House of Haleth]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''House of Haleth'''".

Unlike the previous Mannish designs, several details can be identified within it: a tree, a vine entwined around it, leaves or fruits around its branches, and two white flowers beneath it. The grey background could indicate a dark forest.

As Måns Björkman explains, its main characteristics may reflect the preference of the [[Haladin]] for [[Brethil|forests]] and solitude. It is also notable that this device breaks the heraldic rules, as its lozenge form is not for a person.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/69/ Tolkien Art Index #69].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-05-08
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 188
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren Gamlost heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Beren]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Beren Gamlost / historical / plaque'''".
Personal lozenge for Beren, created posthumously to commemorate his deeds. It depicts the three peaks of [[Thangorodrim]], the Silmaril rescued from [[Morgoth's crown]] and Beren's severed hand.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} The star above could be a foretelling of the Silmaril's destiny.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/70/ Tolkien Art Index #70].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), August
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1993-01-03
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 93
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Heraldic device (of Man).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Men|Mannish holder]]||Nothing is known about this device, save it is of Man. It is reminiscent of Tolkien's [[Númenórean]] designs.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/118/ Tolkien Art Index #118].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), June
|}

===Dwarves===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes!!History of publication
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Emblems of Durin.png|150px]]</center>||[[House of Durin]]|| Tolkien made several sketches for the Doors of Durin, which include variations for the emblems of Durin. With the last clean version, the art of the Doors of Durin was emended by a printer's artist.

When seeing the [[Doors of Durin]] built by [[Narvi]] and [[Celebrimbor]], [[Gimli]] points to them crying "''There are the emblems of Durin!''".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 304</ref> In the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Index|1966 Index]]'', describes these emblems as "Seven stars (above a crown and anvil)". These eight-rayed stars represented the Plough.<ref name=Doors/> The crown with seven stars are a reference to [[Durin's Crown]] as sung in the song ''[[The world was young, the mountains green,|The world was young]]'': "''He stooped and looked in Mirrormere'' / ''And saw a crown of stars appear''".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 316</ref>
The anvil and hammer is clearly a reference to [[Dwarves]]' skills.

No other mention to Dwarven heraldry is given in drawings nor narrative.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/20/ Tolkien Art Index #20]</center>
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]", [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|Doors of Durin drawing]], p. 305
|}

===Maiar===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes!!History of publication
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Melian heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Melian]]|| The original manuscript includes the title "'''Melian'''".
Hammond and Scull explain this is one of the most complex designs, probably reflecting Melian's nature as a Maia and how she reflected the [[Light of Valinor|light]] of the West like a mirror.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}} However, it matches the design described in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', when Melian gave [[Beleg]] a store of [[lembas]]: "''wrapped in leaves of silver, and the threads that bound it were sealed at the knots with the seal of the Queen, a wafer of white wax shaped as a single flower of [[Telperion]]''".<ref>{{S|21}}</ref> When [[Túrin]] recognized the seal, he first refused the gift.<ref>{{UT|2o}}, p. 150</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/65/ Tolkien Art Index #65].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), September
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-08-14
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 196, #193
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 45
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - G for Gandalf.png|150px]]</center>||[[Gandalf]]||Appropiate for vandalizing doors.
 "At Bilbo’s front door the old man began to unload: there were great bundles of fireworks of all sorts and shapes, each labelled with a large red G and the elf-rune, [[File:Certh 19.svg|12px]]."<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 1.01.026}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings cover (detail).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Mordor]] ([[Sauron]]'s Orcs)||"The Orcs in the service of Barad-dûr use the sign of the [[Red Eye]]".<ref>{{TT|III1}}, p. 416</ref> "a single banner, black but bearing on it in red the Evil Eye."<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.10.031}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - MSMFC Emblem.jpg|150px]]</center>||Mordor Special Mission Flying Corps|| The original manuscript includes the note: "'''MSMFC''' / '''Mordor Special Mission Flying Corps Emblem'''", as well as the eye and the name of Sauron.
Probably a mere game by Tolkien, who probably saw that a flower resembled a pilot badge and decided to create one for the [[Nazgûl]]. The inscription "seen from below" indicates that it depicts a [[fell beast]] as seen from the ground.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|189-90}} No doubt that if that is the case, it would be an extremely stylized portrait. Notice the Eye of Sauron included in the wings in patter.<ref name="Bjorkman"/> This resembles Mordor's [[flies]], which also had it painted on.
|}

===Early locations===
In the early phase of the [[legendarium]] of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' ([[1916]]-[[1920|20]]), Tolkien made three heraldic devices for towns from England (then the core of his mythology), which he laveled with the title "'''''i·glin grandin a·Dol Erethin Airi'''''" ("the fair towns of Holy [[Tol Eressëa]]"). As noted by the editors, these towns were special for Tolkien and his wife [[Edith Tolkien|Edith]] in those years.<ref name="Erethrin">{{PE|13}}, "[[Heraldic Devices of Tol Erethrin]]"</ref>{{rp|93}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Location!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Taurobel.png|150px]]</center>||[[Taurobel]]||Labelled "'''Taurobel'''" below, and "'''Tram ⁘ Nybol'''" above.

It depicts three trees, probably [[Wikipedia:Populus nigra|Lombardy poplars]], above a three-arched bridge through which three streams flow, with some reeds on the banks. In ''The Book of Lost Tales'', [[Tavrobel]] ("Wood-home") was a town with a bridge crossing across the confluence of two rivers. The label ''[[Tram Nybol]]'' ("?Snowy Bridge") seems to be the bridge's name, although the editors are unsure of its translation.<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|94}}

[[Christopher Tolkien]] identified Tavrobel as [[Wikipedia:Great Haywood|Great Haywood]] in [[Wikipedia:Staffordshire|Staffordshire]], where his parents lived soon after their marriage, while his father was still at service.<ref name="Cottage">{{LT1|In}}, p. 25</ref> The bridge of both the devise and the narrative was clearly inspired by the [[Wikipedia:Essex Bridge, Staffordshire|Essex Bridge]] near Great Haywood.<ref>{{LR|A3}}, p. 413</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Cortirion.png|150px]]</center>||[[Cortirion]]||Labelled "'''Cortirion'''" below, "'''Tirin na Gilweth'''" around the middle, and "<s>'''Miril i·durwin'''</s>" at the sides.

It depicts a tall tower with a flag at its top, two trees at is sides (probably [[elms]]) and a shining [[sun]] at its left. Below, a peacock with a star in each side. In ''The Book of Lost Tales'', [[Kortirion]] was the chief city of [[Tol Eressëa]], and its name came from its tower (tall and grey), built by [[Ingil]]. [[Meril-i-Turinqi]] was the queen of the isle, who lived in a [[korin]] of elms.<ref>{{LT1|I}}, pp. 16, 25</ref> As explained by the editors, ''[[Tirin na Gilweth]]'' refers to "Ingil's Tower", and ''Miril i·durwin'' is the [[Gnomish]] name of "Meril the Queen".<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|95}} The peacock is clearly reminiscent of the poem ''[[Kortirion among the Trees]]'': "where even now the peacocks pace a stately drill, / majestic, sapphirine, and emerald".<ref>{{LT1|In}}, pp. 33, 36</ref>

Tolkien identified Kortirion with [[Wikipedia:Warwick|Warwick]], where Edith lived from [[1913]] until their marriage in March [[1916]].<ref name="Cottage" />
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Celbaros.png|150px]]</center>||[[Celbaros]]||Labelled "'''Celbaros'''".

It depicts a fountain with high waters. In its left, a mountain tall as a spike, with a sun at the top, and the tag "'''Ranon'''". At the fountain's right, a [[Willows|willow]] with the tag "'''Ecthelin'''". Below, two rings intertwined with the words "'''bod'ominthadriel'''". This is the only device absent in the narratives of Tolkien's mythology. Instead, it is closer to Tolkien's life: ''Ranon'' (maybe related to ''Rân'', the [[Moon]]) and ''Ecthelin'' (probably meaning "Lady of the Fountain") are likely Elvish-rendered versions of Ronald and Edith's names. The two rings and the Gnomish term ''bod'ominthadriel'' (probably meaning "coming together, reunion") suggests the emblem is celebrating Tolkien and Edith's reunion and engagement in [[1913]], after three years of wait. Therefore, the editors identify Celbaros with [[Wikipedia:Cheltenham|Cheltenham]], which is known as a spa-town with many fountains.<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|96}}
|}

===Other related drawings by J.R.R. Tolkien===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="150px" heights="150px">
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Halls of Manwe on the Mountains of the World above Faerie.jpg|A solar emblem appearing in a [[Telerin]] boat in the [[Bay of Eldamar]].
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Two Towers.jpg|The Moon of [[Minas Morgul]] and Saruman's '''[[White Hand]]''' in the original cover of ''[[The Two Towers]]''.
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Return of the King.jpg|The '''[[Livery of Elendil]]''' in the original cover of ''[[The Return of the King]]''.
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Crown of Gondor.svg|A detailed depiction of the '''[[Crown of Gondor]]''', which appears in the Lively of Elendil.
</gallery>

==In text==
Apart from those he drew, Tolkien also mentions several designs throughtout the narratives, which are included here with a visual recreation. Notice that here the devices are depicted in a shield for consistency's sake, but in narrative, they are carried in banners, standards, seals, arms, stakes, etc.

===''The Lord of the Rings''===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Grond - Royal Banner of Gondor (shield).png|120px]]</center>||[[Anárion]] and [[House of Anárion]]|| '''[[White Tree of Gondor]]''' "''the royal banner had been [[Wikipedia:Sable (heraldry)|sable]], upon which was displayed a white tree in blossom beneath seven stars.''".<ref name="RoyalStewards">{{App|Stewards}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Grond - Livery of the Heirs of Elendil (shield).png|120px]]</center>||[[Aragorn]] and [[House of Telcontar]]|| '''[[Livery of the heirs of Elendil]]''' ''"There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a [[Crown of Gondor|high crown]] above it"<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.062}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Pbrks - House of Eorl.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Eorl]] / [[Rohirrim]]|| The device of the '''[[White Horse]]''' upon Green field was used by the [[Kings of Rohan]]: "''the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem of the House of Eorl''".<ref>{{TT|III6}}, p. 522</ref> Thus, during the [[War of the Ring]], [[Guthláf]] carried [[Théoden]]'s banner: "''white horse upon a field of green''".<ref>{{RK|V5}}, p. 838</ref><ref>{{RK|V6}}, pp. 839, 847</ref><ref name=Banners>{{RK|V10}}, p. 891</ref> His heir [[Éomer]] will use it also in the times of peace thereafter.<ref>{{App|A2i}}, p. 1071</ref>

However, this device was also used by the people of [[Rohan]], as [[Éowyn]] gave [[Merry]] a shield of the Rohirrim "''and it bore on it the device of the white horse''".<ref>{{RK|V3}}, p. 802</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of Dol Amroth.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Dol Amroth]]|| During the War of the Ring, [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]] came with his army "''with gilded banners bearing his token of the Ship and the Silver Swan''".<ref>{{RK|V1}}, p. 771</ref> The Silver Swan could be seen during the following battles.<ref>{{RK|V6}}, p. 843</ref><ref name=Banners/> These symbols were later described as being combined "''silver upon blue, a ship swan-prowed faring on the sea''".<ref>{{RK|VI4}}, p. 953</ref>
As Måns Björkman explains, the [[Swan-ships]] were built by the Elves to depart to the [[Aman|West]], and the [[Elves of Lórien]] used [[Dol Amroth]] to do so.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Elrond banner.png|120px]]</center>||[[Elrond]]|| [[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]] headed Elrond's retinue to Aragorn's wedding with "''a banner of silver''".<ref>{{RK|VI5}}, p. 972</ref>
As explained by Agnieszka Żurek,<ref>Agnieszka Żurek, "Heraldry in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium", in ''The Coat of Arms: Annual of the Heraldry Society'', [https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Zurek-paper.pdf Number 239] (2022), p. 176</ref> this plain colour could be a reference to [[Vingilot]] (the ship of Elrond's father), which "with silver were her banners sewn".<ref>{{TI|V}}, p. 103</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - White Hand device.png|120px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Isengard]] ([[Saruman]]'s Orcs)||'''[[White Hand]]'''. "''Upon their shields they bore a strange device: a small white hand in the centre of a black field''".<ref name=Saruman>{{TT|III1}}, p. 415</ref>
|-
|<center></center>||[[Orcs of Isengard]] ([[Saruman]]'s Orcs)||"''on the front of their iron helms was set an S-rune''".<ref name=Saruman/>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Minas Morgul.png|120px]]</center>||[[Minas Morgul]]||"''a Moon disfigured with a ghastly face of death'".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.01.030}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Black serpent device.png|120px]]</center>||[[Haradrim]]||The '''[[black serpent]]''' was an emblem of a "''black serpent upon scarlet''" that was depicted on the standard of a chieftain of the [[Haradrim]] during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="Battle">{{RK|V6}}, pp. 839-40, 842</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Stewards of Gondor.png|120px]]</center>||[[Steward of Gondor]]||The stewards had a banner that was "''white without charge''".<ref name="RoyalStewards"/>
|-
|<center></center>||[[Andúril]]||"''a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun''".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 2.03.049}}</ref>
|}

===''Unfinished Tales''===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Wing.png|120px]]</center>||[[Tuor]]||By command of [[Ulmo]], king [[Turgon]] left in [[Vinyamar]] some arms for his future messenger. "''And Ulmo declared to Turgon of what kind of stature should the helm and mail and sword that he left behind''".<ref>{{S|15}}</ref>

"''Now Tuor loved [[swans]], which he knew on the grey pools of [[Mithrim]]; and the swan moreover had been the token of [[Annael]] and his foster-folk''". So when guided by good omens Tuor reached the abandoned realm, he found the arms and saw that the shield's "''field was blue, in the midst of which was wrought an emblem of a white swan's wing''". Recognizing the token as his own, the took the arms, claiming upon himself the doom they may carry.<ref>{{UT|1}}, pp. 25, 27</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Stewards.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Húrin]]||When [[Cirion]] sent several messengers to [[Eorl]], they brought with them "''a small stone incised with the seal of the Stewards''",<ref>{{UT|8b}}, p. 297</ref> which consisted of "''the letters '''R · ND · R''' surmounted by three stars, signifying arandur (king's servant), steward''".<ref>{{UT|8e}}, p. 313, note 25</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Elendil.png|120px]]</center>||[[Elendil]]|| The [[Tomb of Elendil]] had engraved simply three letters: ''[[lambë]]'', ''[[ando]]'', ''lambë'':<ref>{{UT|8c}}, p. 304</ref> "''the letters were {{tg|mode=smith|j 2 j}} ('''L · ND · L'''): Elendil's name without vowel-marks, which he used as a badge, and a device upon his seals''".<ref>{{UT|8e}}, p. 316, note 40</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Armor Emblem.png|120px]]</center>||[[Isildur]] and [[House of Isildur]]||The '''[[Star of Elendil]]''' or '''''Elendilmir''''' was first a Númenórean gem, a "''white star of Elvish crystal upon a fillet of mithril''", that was taken by Isildur "''as the token of royalty in the [[North Kingdom]]''". With Isildur's [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields|death]], the gem was lost and his son [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] was given a replica, and this token was used by the [[kings of Arnor]] and the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains]] down to [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref>{{UT|7}}, p. 277</ref>
|}

===Twelve houses of the Gondothlim===
The array of the [[twelve houses of the Gondothlim]] in the earliest version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' is quite detailed. Some of these folks have their emblems mentioned with capitalized letters (the White Wing, the Stricken Anvil). However, from some of the houses no details about their heraldry is given, but like the others, most probably they had their devices based on their names and reflecting their raiments:
*The [[House of the Pillar|houses of the Pillar]] and [[House of the Tower of Snow|of the Tower of Snow]] were both under the lordship of [[Penlod]], so they probably had similar raiments.
*The [[house of the Tree]] had green raiment.
*The [[people of the Fountain]] were fond of silver and diamonds, and bore pale and bright swords.<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|173}}

Below there are given the quotes describing the emblems hold by the other houses, keeping some pertinent mentions of their raiments.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the King.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the King]]||"''Mighty was the array of the house of the King and their colour were white and gold and red, and their emblems the [[moon]] and the [[sun]] and the [[scarlet heart]]''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}} [[Turgon]] had taken the scarlet heart as an emblem after rescuing the heart and defiled body of his father [[Nólemë]] during the [[Battle of Unnumbered Tears]].<ref>{{LT1|X}}, p. 241</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Wing.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Wing]]||"''<nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Tuor]]'s<nowiki>]</nowiki> mail of silver gleamed; and about him was a press of the stoutest of the folk. Lo! all these wore wings as it were of [[swans]] or [[gulls]] upon their helms, and the emblem of the White Wing was upon their shields''".''<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}}''
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Mole.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Mole]]||"''...sable was their harness, and they bore no sign or emblem, but their round caps of steel were covered with moleskin''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}} "''Now the sign of [[Meglin]] was a sable [[Mole]]''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|165}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Swallow.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Swallow]]||"''Now the folk of the Swallow bore a fan of feathers on their helms, and they were arrayed in white and dark blue and in purple and black and showed an arrowhead on their shields''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Heavenly Arch.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Heavenly Arch]]||"''But they of the Heavenly Arch being a folk of uncounted wealth were arrayed in a glory of colours, and their arms were set with jewels that flamed in light now under the sky. Every shield of that battalion was of the blue of the heavens and its boss a jewel build of seven gems, rubies and amethysts and sapphires, emeralds, chrysoprase, topaz, and amber, but an opal of great size was set in their helms. [[Egalmoth]] was their chieftain, and wore a blue mantle upon which the star were broidered in crystal...''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:House of the Golden Flower.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Golden Flower]]||"''[They] bare a [[Wikipedia:Vergina Sun|rayed sun]] upon their shield, and their chief [[Glorfindel]] bare a mantle so broidered in threads of gold that it was diapered with celandine as a field in spring...''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Harp.png|120px]]</center>||[[Host of the Harp]]||"''They were dight with tassels of silver and tassels of gold, and s harp of silver shone in their blazonry upon a field of black; but [[Salgant]] bore one of gold''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Hammer of Wrath.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Hammer of Wrath]]||"''The sign of this people was the Stricken Anvil, and a hammer that smiteth sparks about it was set on their shields, and red gold and black iron was their delight''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|174}}
|}

===Gnomish banners===
In some "[[Prose Fragments Following the Lost Tales]]", Tolkien wrote a short narrative about the coming of the [[Gnomes]] into the [[Great Lands]] (the later [[Return of the Noldor]]), in which their leader and their sons hold several banners:<ref name="Prose">{{SM|P2}}, p. 7</ref>
[[File:Quentandil - Gnome Banners.jpg|250px|left]]
{{blockquote|Now the colours of the Gnomes were gold and white in those ancient days in memory of the [[Two Trees]], but [[Finwë|Gelmir]]'s standard bore upon a silver field with a crown of gold, and each captain had a fair banner; and the sign of [[Golfin]] in those days was upon gold a silver sword, and of [[Delin]] a green beech leaf upon silver diapered with golder flowers, and of [[Lúthien (son of Gelmir)|Lúthien]] a golden swallow that winged through an azure field as it were the sky set with silver stars...}}

The [[sons of Fëanor]] (here unrelated to the royal house) are said to be the ones who wrought the standard and banners, which shore either under the sun, moon, darkness or mist, thanks to their [[Magic|magical]] gems sewed in them.<ref name="Prose" />

In the following versions of the story in both the ''[[Sketch of the Mythology]]'' ([[1926]])<ref>{{SM|2}}, §8, p. 22</ref> and the ''[[Qenta Noldorinwa]]'' ([[1930]]),<ref>{{SM|Q8}}, p. 102</ref> the banners are merely mentioned as being "blue and silver".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Devices in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] (2001-3)===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Isildur mural.jpg|Mural with [[Gil-galad]]'s device in a banner. Art by [[Alan Lee]].
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Flag in Edoras.jpg|Flag of Rohan in [[Edoras]], seen by [[Éowyn]].
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Aragorn's Coronation.jpg|Gondor's device in shields and banners during [[Aragorn]]'s coronation.
</gallery>

==External links==
*[https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry.htm Emblems and Heraldry] by [[Måns Björkman]]
*[[Wikipedia:Heraldry of Middle-earth|Heraldry of Middle-earth]] on Wikipedia
*"[https://www.academia.edu/4334565 The Eye and the Tree. The Semantics of Middle-earth Heraldry]", by Catalin Hriban. Published in [[Hither Shore 8|''Hither Shore'' 8]] (2011), pp. 198–211.
*"[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol32/iss1/7/ Tolkien's Devices: The Heraldy of Middle-Earth]", by Jamie McGregor. Published in [[Mythlore 123|''Mythlore'' 123]] (2013), pp. 95–112.
*"[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol9/iss1/5/ Symbols of Immortality: A Comparison of European and Elvish Heraldry]", by Margaret R. Purdy. Published in [[Mythlore 31|''Mythlore'' 31]] ([[1982]]), pp. 19–22, 36.

*[https://www.deviantart.com/aglargon/gallery/53078221/heraldry-in-tolkien Tolkien's heraldry recreated] by Aglargon
{{references|notes}}

File:Brad Williams - Steward's Guard.jpg

2026-01-24T23:49:52Z

Quentandil: Added category

== Summary ==
{{MECCG artwork information
|set=
|title=Steward's Guard
|artist=Brad Williams
|source=[https://www.bradleywilliamsart.net/lord-of-the-rings.html Artist's website]
|date=
}}
[[Category:Images by Brad Williams]]
[[Category:Images of Gondorians]]

File:Quentandil - Saruman.png

2026-01-24T23:36:07Z

Quentandil: ==Licensing== {{GFDL-self|Quentandil}} Category:Images of devices and symbols Category:Images of runes

== Summary ==
==Licensing==
{{GFDL-self|Quentandil}}

[[Category:Images of devices and symbols]]
[[Category:Images of runes]]

User:Quentandil/Heraldry

2026-01-24T23:25:06Z

Quentandil: Added emblems

<big><center>'''''This article is in process of writing at must not be seen as complete. It will be properly published in [[Heraldry]].'''''</center></big>

[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic devices.jpg|thumb|Sketches for [[Idril Celebrindal]]'s heraldic device, by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
'''Heraldic devices''', '''emblems''' and '''flags''' are a minor element throughout of the [[legendarium]].

In the first phase of his [[legendarium|mythology]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described the heraldic devices with vivid and figurative images, as can be seen particularly in the description of the [[#twelve houses of the Gondothlim|twelve houses of the Gondothlim]]; but in later narratives, the devices became few and simple. However, around [[1960]]-[[1961|61]], Tolkien also drew several devices for characters of the [[First Age]], which are more complex, but also ornamental and abstract.<ref name="Illustrator">{{HM|AI}}, "6. Patterns and Devices"</ref>{{rp|191}} This article deals with illustrations and textual descriptions in separated sections.

==Drawings==
Probably after finishing his drawings in the 1960's, Tolkien defined some rules for [[Elves|Elvish]] heraldry:<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|191}}
*Women's personal designs are set within a circle.
*Male's personal designs are set within a lozenge.
*General (impersonal) designs or emblems of a [[:Category:Elven noble houses|family]] are set within a square.
*The rank was usually held to be shown by number of 'points' which reached the outer rim:
**Four points were for princes.
**Six to eight points for kings.
**The great ancestors sometimes had as many as 16, as in [[#Elves|House of Finwë]].

===Elves===
As explained above, the personal emblems are set in a lozenge, while houses had them set in a square, so it is sure to assume some of the Elvish designs below (for example, [[Fëanor]] and the [[House of Fëanor]]) could be used by a noble family, having them tipped forty-five degrees. Tolkien only made this variation with the [[House of Finwë]]'s. Elven designs are symmetrical in all sides, unlike those of [[Men]], so they can be used in any position in a circular movement that probably reflected Elven [[immortality]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192, 194-5}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Commentary!!Publication history
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finwë heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[House of Finwë]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Winged Sun''' / '''House of Finwe''' [> Finrod] / '''descending to [[High King of the Noldor|High Kings]]''' / '''[[Fingolfin]] - [[Fingon]]''' / '''[[Turgon]]. Those''' / '''descended from [[Finarphin]]''' / '''used blue star'''".

Both of Finwë's devices depict a Winged [[Sun]] (in contrast with [[Thingol]]'s Winged [[Moon]]); so Tolkien probably draw them with the [[Round World version of the Silmarillion|later versions of "The Silmarillion"]] in mind, in which the Sun already existed during the [[Great March]]. In previous versions, Finwë dies before the Sun and Moon are created. The sixteen wings correspond to Finwë's highest royalty among the [[Noldor]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192, 194-5}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/32/ Tolkien Art Index #32].<ref group=note>''[https://tai.tolkienists.org/ The Tolkien Art Index]'' is a very detailed reference on the topic of this section. The notes from the original manuscripts that are quoted in this article can be found in each entry of the TAI. However the site has not been updated since [[2018]].</ref></center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 194, #191
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' (second edition, [[2021]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 36, 63
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finwë heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finwë]]||A lozenge variation of the previous device. According to the rules listed above, it would be Finwë's personal device.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/63/ Tolkien Art Index #63].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'', April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', May
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'', intro
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fëanor heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Fëanor]]||The original manuscript includes the tag "'''Fëanor'''".
Along with [[Fingolfin]]'s device, this one is clearly related to Finwë's, although its flames must be associated to Fëanor's name, "Spirit of Fire".<ref name="Pictures">{{HM|PT}}, [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Heraldic Devices.jpg|#47. "Heraldic Devices"]]</ref> The coloured pieces that form the device could represent the creation of the [[Silmarils]] and crystals invented by Fëanor.<ref name="Bjorkman">{{webcite|author=[[Måns Björkman]]|articleurl=https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry.htm|articlename=Emblems and Heraldry|website=[https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/gobennas_se.html Mellonath Gobennas]|accessed=15 May 2023}}</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/33/ Tolkien Art Index #33].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), October
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-07-17
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 53, 96
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Star of the House of Feanor.png|150px]]</center>||[[House of Fëanor]]|| Originally drawn by Tolkien, the art of the Doors of Durin was emended by a printer's artist before print.
The emblem appears in the design of the [[Doors of Durin]] built by [[Narvi]] and [[Celebrimbor]], who was the grandson of Fëanor. [[Gandalf]] mentions it as "the Star of the House of Fëanor".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 304</ref> In the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Index|1966 Index]]'', it is said that this star had eight rays and was of silver. It is probably a representation of a [[Silmaril]], as the eight points are similar to the emblems of Fëanor (above) and of the Silmarils (below).<ref name=Doors>{{HM|RC}}, p. 280</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/20/ Tolkien Art Index #20]</center>
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]", [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|Doors of Durin drawing]], p. 305
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Silmarils heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Silmarils]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Ancient''' / '''Emblem''' / '''representing''' / '''one derivation of''' / '''the [[Silmarils]]''' / '''from the [[Light of Valinor|light]] of''' / '''[[Two Trees of Valinor|the trees]] upon''' / '''[[Ezellohar]]'''".

As noticed by [[Måns Björkman]], this is the only device for an object, rather than a person. It could have been used by the [[Noldor]] in the [[Battles of Beleriand|War of the Jewels]] as a mark of intentions against [[Morgoth]].<ref name="Bjorkman" /> The depicted tree is [[Laurelin]], with its characteristic green and golden colours.

This one, Beren's and Eärendil's devices are the only depictions of the Silmarils drawn by Tolkien.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/67/ Tolkien Art Index #67].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-04-04
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. i, 57
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fingolfin heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Fingolfin]] and [[House of Fingolfin]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Fingolfin &''' / '''his house'''".
Its colours are similar to Finwë's, while its flames resemble Fëanor's.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} The stars upon blue field could be a reference to his shield: "''his shield he bore / with field of heaven's blue and star / of crystal shining pale afar''".<ref>{{LB|C12}}, p. 284, vv. 3539-41</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/31/ Tolkien Art Index #31].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), November
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-03-06
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 67
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 195, #192
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 81, #39
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 141, 227
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarfin Heraldic Device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finarfin]], [[House of Finarfin]], [[Finrod]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Finarphin &''' / '''his House''' / '''esp. Finrod'''".
As Hammond and Scull explain, this device is more calm in comparison with the fiery devices of his brothers, appropiate for the one brother who stayed in the peace of Aman instead of joining the [[War of the Jewels]].<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} This device could be a stylized version of the crown of golden flowers in his badge: "''For [[Ring of Barahir|this ring]] was like two twin serpents, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house''".<ref>{{S|Beren}}. Cf. also {{LB|C4}}, p. 191, vv. 1099-103</ref>

||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/310/ Tolkien Art Index #310]</center>
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 195, #192
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 68
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finarphin heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finarfin]] / [[House of Finarfin]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''<s>Finwe''' / ____</s> / '''Finarphin'''".
This emblem must be the "blue star" used by the descendants of Finarphin mentioned in Finwë's device, but Tolkien seems to have opted for the one above and take this design for [[#Eärendil|Eärendil]]. Notice that the design can only be used as a square, so according to the rules explained above, it must be the device for the [[House of Finarfin]], rather than a personal one.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/548/ Tolkien Art Index #548].</center>
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Finrod Felagund heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Finrod Felagund]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "___ '''emblem''' / '''of Finrod'''".
Unlike the other devices, Finrod's is not symmetrical at all, which suggests it could have been created by [[Men]] for him.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192}} The harp probably comes from the story of Finrod's encounter with the first [[Men]] that entered [[Beleriand]], in which he played a harp for them (''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Coming of Men into the West|Chapter 17]]).<ref name="Pictures" /> The flaming torch might be related to the wisdom Men associated him with.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/64/ Tolkien Art Index #64].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), August
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 108
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Elwë heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Elu Thingol]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Winged Moon''' / '''a black with stars''' / '''Elwë'''".

The motif of the [[Moon]] was clearly made in contrast with the device of the House of Finwë above, although the character is not related with the Moon in the stories. According to the Elves heraldry rules, Elwë has eight points, so he is half of the rank of Finwë.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195-6}} The relation with Finwë's device and its nocturnal motif probably shows that both started the [[Great Journey]], but Elwë was left in Middle-earth's night by Melian's enchantment.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/38/ Tolkien Art Index #38].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), May
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 194, #191
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 47, 122
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Lúthien Tinúviel heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Lúthien Tinúviel]]||The original manuscript includes the title in [[Tengwar]]: "'''Lúthien''' / '''Tinúviel'''".

Lúthien is the only character with two different devices, probably due her dual nature: [[Maia]] and Elf. This one is closer to the device of her mother [[Melian]] (see [[#Maiar|below]]).<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}

The white flowers that appear in both of Lúthien's devices are probably associated with the [[niphredil]] flowers that sprang at her birth, as told in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Sindar|Chapter 10]].<ref name="Pictures" /> Although not related with Lúthien, the sun-like flower could be an [[elanor]], as that plant gave both silver and silver flowers.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/30/ Tolkien Art Index #30].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), December
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1993-01-01
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), pp. 77, 85
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 197, #195
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #81
*''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'' ([[2018]]), pp. 82-3
*''[[Tolkien: Voyage en Terre du Milieu]]'' ([[2019]]), p. 270, #191
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 81
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Luthien Heraldic Device II.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Lúthien Tinúviel]]|| The original manuscript includes the title both in [[Tengwar]] and Latin characters: "'''Lúthien Tinúviel'''".
See information above. This one, with white petals and stars upon a black background, is closer to the device of Lúthien's father [[Thingol]] as seen above.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}}
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/36/ Tolkien Art Index #36].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), front cover
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (front)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), July
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 197, #195
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #80
*''[[Tolkien: Treasures]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 80
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 21
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Idril Celebrindal]]||The original manuscript includes several notes:
*In [[Tengwar]] in blue pencil: "'''Menelluin Irildeo Ondolindello'''" ("Cornflower of Idril from [[Gondolin]]").
*In Latin characters in pencil to the lower right, "'''Idril's Device''' / '''The 'Cornflower' pattern''' / '''[[Menelluin]].''' / '''Origin of (often''' / '''debased) Numenorean''' / '''circular patterns'''".
*In Latin characters below, "'''Inlaid plaque''' / '''preserved from Gondolin''' / '''& descending from Earendil''' / '''to [[Númenor]], whence it was''' / '''saved by [[Elendil]] & taken to''' / '''[[Gondor]]'''".
* Date: "'''[[14 December|14/12]]/[[1960|60]]'''".

This design can be seen as twelve blue flowers upon black field, or twelve petals upon blue field. According to the rules of Elven heraldry, so many points reaching the outer rim signify her high rank as daughter of the king. Although the narratives give no explanation for this design with such colours, the blue cornflowers from the golden harvest could point to Idril's characteristic golden hair.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|192-3}}

Its design can be seen reflected in the [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Tile 1.jpg|Númenórean tile]].<ref name="Pictures" />

||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/37/ Tolkien Art Index #37].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'' ([[1973]]), back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dust jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), July
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 77, #218; p. 91
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 192, 189
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 237, #79
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 116
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Idril Celebrindal heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Idril Celebrindal]]||The original manuscript includes sketches and several variations for Idril's devices, four of them colored, but only this one can be considered finished. Tolkien seems to have opted for the one above.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/119/ Tolkien Art Index #119].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), October
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 75
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 192, #188
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Gil-galad]]||The manuscript (a postcard) includes this and below's emblem, both of them not being completely finished, but probably Tolkien would have chosen this, as its design is completely symmetrical, it is more finished and it ingludes '''Gil-galad''' written behind it.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|194}}
These designs are associated with Gil-galad's name, "Star of Radiance".<ref name="Pictures" /> "[[The Fall of Gil-galad]]" mentions that "''the countless stars of heaven's field'' / ''were mirrored in his silver shield''",<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 185</ref> which is likely describing Gil-galad's heraldry.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 170</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/66/ Tolkien Art Index #66].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-04-24
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 273
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Gil-galad]]||See commentary above.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/309/ Tolkien Art Index #309].</center>
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
|}

===Eärendil===
Tolkien seems to have been quite invested with [[Eärendil]]'s device, making more variations than any other. See Finarfin's second device above, which was clearly abandoned and used as the base for Eärendil's device instead.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Commentary!!Publication history
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (I).jpg|150px]]</center>|| ||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/35/ Tolkien Art Index #35].</center>
*''[[The J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1974]]'', back cover
*''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[1977]]), dusk jacket (back)
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', February
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Life and Legend]]'' ([[1992]]), p. 66
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 235
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (II).jpg|150px]]</center>||The original manuscript includes "'''Earendil'''" written in two different directions, so, as noted by the TAI editors, the orientation of this device is unclear. Considering Eärendil's story, the stars should have their tails travelling straight down, as if the stars were rising, rather than falling.

Notice this device has only been included in two callendars, rather than a proper publication.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/62/ Tolkien Art Index #62].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'', February
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'', February
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Eärendil heraldic device (III).jpg|150px]]</center>|| ||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/117/ Tolkien Art Index #117].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), February
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 193, #190
|}

===Men===
Men's designs are symmetrical, but unlike those of the Elves, only horizontally, with a pushing force upwards. This probably reflects Men's [[death|trascendental nature]], unlike Elven's enclosed immortality.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Bëor heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Bëor]]||As [[Måns Björkman]] explains, following the narratives, this was the first device created for a Man, hence it is the closest to the Elven style, being symmetrical in each side. However, it is less refined and more grounded than the Elven designs.<ref name="Bjorkman"/> ||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/68/ Tolkien Art Index #68].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), January
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), pp. 131, 216
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Hador heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Hador]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Hador'''".
Måns Björkman speculates that the fiery colours of this device could be related to those of Fingolfin's, as the [[House of Hador]] was a vassal of his.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/61/ Tolkien Art Index #61].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), February
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 178
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Haleth heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[House of Haleth]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''House of Haleth'''".

Unlike the previous Mannish designs, several details can be identified within it: a tree, a vine entwined around it, leaves or fruits around its branches, and two white flowers beneath it. The grey background could indicate a dark forest.

As Måns Björkman explains, its main characteristics may reflect the preference of the [[Haladin]] for [[Brethil|forests]] and solitude. It is also notable that this device breaks the heraldic rules, as its lozenge form is not for a person.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/69/ Tolkien Art Index #69].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-05-08
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 188
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren Gamlost heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Beren]]||The original manuscript includes the note: "'''Beren Gamlost / historical / plaque'''".
Personal lozenge for Beren, created posthumously to commemorate his deeds. It depicts the three peaks of [[Thangorodrim]], the Silmaril rescued from [[Morgoth's crown]] and Beren's severed hand.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|195}} The star above could be a foretelling of the Silmaril's destiny.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/70/ Tolkien Art Index #70].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), August
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1993-01-03
*''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'' ([[2018]]), p. 238, #82
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript]]'' ([[2022]]), p. 186
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 93
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Heraldic device (of Man).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Men|Mannish holder]]||Nothing is known about this device, save it is of Man. It is reminiscent of Tolkien's [[Númenórean]] designs.||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/118/ Tolkien Art Index #118].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), June
|}

===Dwarves===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes!!History of publication
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Emblems of Durin.png|150px]]</center>||[[House of Durin]]|| Tolkien made several sketches for the Doors of Durin, which include variations for the emblems of Durin. With the last clean version, the art of the Doors of Durin was emended by a printer's artist.

When seeing the [[Doors of Durin]] built by [[Narvi]] and [[Celebrimbor]], [[Gimli]] points to them crying "''There are the emblems of Durin!''".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 304</ref> In the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Index|1966 Index]]'', describes these emblems as "Seven stars (above a crown and anvil)". These eight-rayed stars represented the Plough.<ref name=Doors/> The crown with seven stars are a reference to [[Durin's Crown]] as sung in the song ''[[The world was young, the mountains green,|The world was young]]'': "''He stooped and looked in Mirrormere'' / ''And saw a crown of stars appear''".<ref>{{FR|II4}}, p. 316</ref>
The anvil and hammer is clearly a reference to [[Dwarves]]' skills.

No other mention to Dwarven heraldry is given in drawings nor narrative.
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/20/ Tolkien Art Index #20]</center>
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]", [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|Doors of Durin drawing]], p. 305
|}

===Maiar===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes!!History of publication
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Melian heraldic device.jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Melian]]|| The original manuscript includes the title "'''Melian'''".
Hammond and Scull explain this is one of the most complex designs, probably reflecting Melian's nature as a Maia and how she reflected the [[Light of Valinor|light]] of the West like a mirror.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|196}} However, it matches the design described in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', when Melian gave [[Beleg]] a store of [[lembas]]: "''wrapped in leaves of silver, and the threads that bound it were sealed at the knots with the seal of the Queen, a wafer of white wax shaped as a single flower of [[Telperion]]''".<ref>{{S|21}}</ref> When [[Túrin]] recognized the seal, he first refused the gift.<ref>{{UT|2o}}, p. 150</ref>
||<center>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/tai/65/ Tolkien Art Index #65].</center>
*''[[The Silmarillion Calendar 1978]]'' ([[1977]]), April
*''[[The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979]]'' ([[1978]]), September
*''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' ([[1979]]), #47
*''[[The Tolkien Diary 1992]]'' ([[1991]]), 1992-08-14
*''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' ([[1995]]), p. 196, #193
*''[[The Silmarillion]]: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien'' ([[2022]]), p. 45
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - G for Gandalf.png|150px]]</center>||[[Gandalf]]||Appropiate for vandalizing doors.
 "At Bilbo’s front door the old man began to unload: there were great bundles of fireworks of all sorts and shapes, each labelled with a large red G and the elf-rune, [[File:Certh 19.svg|12px]]."<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 1.01.026}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings cover (detail).jpg|150px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Mordor]] ([[Sauron]]'s Orcs)||"The Orcs in the service of Barad-dûr use the sign of the [[Red Eye]]".<ref>{{TT|III1}}, p. 416</ref> "a single banner, black but bearing on it in red the Evil Eye."<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.10.031}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - MSMFC Emblem.jpg|150px]]</center>||Mordor Special Mission Flying Corps|| The original manuscript includes the note: "'''MSMFC''' / '''Mordor Special Mission Flying Corps Emblem'''", as well as the eye and the name of Sauron.
Probably a mere game by Tolkien, who probably saw that a flower resembled a pilot badge and decided to create one for the [[Nazgûl]]. The inscription "seen from below" indicates that it depicts a [[fell beast]] as seen from the ground.<ref name="Illustrator" />{{rp|189-90}} No doubt that if that is the case, it would be an extremely stylized portrait. Notice the Eye of Sauron included in the wings in patter.<ref name="Bjorkman"/> This resembles Mordor's [[flies]], which also had it painted on.
|}

===Early locations===
In the early phase of the [[legendarium]] of ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' ([[1916]]-[[1920|20]]), Tolkien made three heraldic devices for towns from England (then the core of his mythology), which he laveled with the title "'''''i·glin grandin a·Dol Erethin Airi'''''" ("the fair towns of Holy [[Tol Eressëa]]"). As noted by the editors, these towns were special for Tolkien and his wife [[Edith Tolkien|Edith]] in those years.<ref name="Erethrin">{{PE|13}}, "[[Heraldic Devices of Tol Erethrin]]"</ref>{{rp|93}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Location!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Taurobel.png|150px]]</center>||[[Taurobel]]||Labelled "'''Taurobel'''" below, and "'''Tram ⁘ Nybol'''" above.

It depicts three trees, probably [[Wikipedia:Populus nigra|Lombardy poplars]], above a three-arched bridge through which three streams flow, with some reeds on the banks. In ''The Book of Lost Tales'', [[Tavrobel]] ("Wood-home") was a town with a bridge crossing across the confluence of two rivers. The label ''[[Tram Nybol]]'' ("?Snowy Bridge") seems to be the bridge's name, although the editors are unsure of its translation.<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|94}}

[[Christopher Tolkien]] identified Tavrobel as [[Wikipedia:Great Haywood|Great Haywood]] in [[Wikipedia:Staffordshire|Staffordshire]], where his parents lived soon after their marriage, while his father was still at service.<ref name="Cottage">{{LT1|In}}, p. 25</ref> The bridge of both the devise and the narrative was clearly inspired by the [[Wikipedia:Essex Bridge, Staffordshire|Essex Bridge]] near Great Haywood.<ref>{{LR|A3}}, p. 413</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Cortirion.png|150px]]</center>||[[Cortirion]]||Labelled "'''Cortirion'''" below, "'''Tirin na Gilweth'''" around the middle, and "<s>'''Miril i·durwin'''</s>" at the sides.

It depicts a tall tower with a flag at its top, two trees at is sides (probably [[elms]]) and a shining [[sun]] at its left. Below, a peacock with a star in each side. In ''The Book of Lost Tales'', [[Kortirion]] was the chief city of [[Tol Eressëa]], and its name came from its tower (tall and grey), built by [[Ingil]]. [[Meril-i-Turinqi]] was the queen of the isle, who lived in a [[korin]] of elms.<ref>{{LT1|I}}, pp. 16, 25</ref> As explained by the editors, ''[[Tirin na Gilweth]]'' refers to "Ingil's Tower", and ''Miril i·durwin'' is the [[Gnomish]] name of "Meril the Queen".<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|95}} The peacock is clearly reminiscent of the poem ''[[Kortirion among the Trees]]'': "where even now the peacocks pace a stately drill, / majestic, sapphirine, and emerald".<ref>{{LT1|In}}, pp. 33, 36</ref>

Tolkien identified Kortirion with [[Wikipedia:Warwick|Warwick]], where Edith lived from [[1913]] until their marriage in March [[1916]].<ref name="Cottage" />
|-
|<center>[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Celbaros.png|150px]]</center>||[[Celbaros]]||Labelled "'''Celbaros'''".

It depicts a fountain with high waters. In its left, a mountain tall as a spike, with a sun at the top, and the tag "'''Ranon'''". At the fountain's right, a [[Willows|willow]] with the tag "'''Ecthelin'''". Below, two rings intertwined with the words "'''bod'ominthadriel'''". This is the only device absent in the narratives of Tolkien's mythology. Instead, it is closer to Tolkien's life: ''Ranon'' (maybe related to ''Rân'', the [[Moon]]) and ''Ecthelin'' (probably meaning "Lady of the Fountain") are likely Elvish-rendered versions of Ronald and Edith's names. The two rings and the Gnomish term ''bod'ominthadriel'' (probably meaning "coming together, reunion") suggests the emblem is celebrating Tolkien and Edith's reunion and engagement in [[1913]], after three years of wait. Therefore, the editors identify Celbaros with [[Wikipedia:Cheltenham|Cheltenham]], which is known as a spa-town with many fountains.<ref name="Erethrin" />{{rp|96}}
|}

===Other related drawings by J.R.R. Tolkien===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="150px" heights="150px">
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Halls of Manwe on the Mountains of the World above Faerie.jpg|A solar emblem appearing in a [[Telerin]] boat in the [[Bay of Eldamar]].
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Two Towers.jpg|The Moon of [[Minas Morgul]] and Saruman's '''[[White Hand]]''' in the original cover of ''[[The Two Towers]]''.
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Return of the King.jpg|The '''[[Livery of Elendil]]''' in the original cover of ''[[The Return of the King]]''.
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Crown of Gondor.svg|A detailed depiction of the '''[[Crown of Gondor]]''', which appears in the Lively of Elendil.
</gallery>

==In text==
Apart from those he drew, Tolkien also mentions several designs throughtout the narratives, which are included here with a visual recreation. Notice that here the devices are depicted in a shield for consistency's sake, but in narrative, they are carried in banners, standards, seals, arms, stakes, etc.

===''The Lord of the Rings''===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Grond - Royal Banner of Gondor (shield).png|120px]]</center>||[[Anárion]] and [[House of Anárion]]|| '''[[White Tree of Gondor]]''' "''the royal banner had been [[Wikipedia:Sable (heraldry)|sable]], upon which was displayed a white tree in blossom beneath seven stars.''".<ref name="RoyalStewards">{{App|Stewards}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Grond - Livery of the Heirs of Elendil (shield).png|120px]]</center>||[[Aragorn]] and [[House of Telcontar]]|| '''[[Livery of the heirs of Elendil]]''' ''"There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a [[Crown of Gondor|high crown]] above it"<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.062}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Pbrks - House of Eorl.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Eorl]] / [[Rohirrim]]|| The device of the '''[[White Horse]]''' upon Green field was used by the [[Kings of Rohan]]: "''the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem of the House of Eorl''".<ref>{{TT|III6}}, p. 522</ref> Thus, during the [[War of the Ring]], [[Guthláf]] carried [[Théoden]]'s banner: "''white horse upon a field of green''".<ref>{{RK|V5}}, p. 838</ref><ref>{{RK|V6}}, pp. 839, 847</ref><ref name=Banners>{{RK|V10}}, p. 891</ref> His heir [[Éomer]] will use it also in the times of peace thereafter.<ref>{{App|A2i}}, p. 1071</ref>

However, this device was also used by the people of [[Rohan]], as [[Éowyn]] gave [[Merry]] a shield of the Rohirrim "''and it bore on it the device of the white horse''".<ref>{{RK|V3}}, p. 802</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of Dol Amroth.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Dol Amroth]]|| During the War of the Ring, [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]] came with his army "''with gilded banners bearing his token of the Ship and the Silver Swan''".<ref>{{RK|V1}}, p. 771</ref> The Silver Swan could be seen during the following battles.<ref>{{RK|V6}}, p. 843</ref><ref name=Banners/> These symbols were later described as being combined "''silver upon blue, a ship swan-prowed faring on the sea''".<ref>{{RK|VI4}}, p. 953</ref>
As Måns Björkman explains, the [[Swan-ships]] were built by the Elves to depart to the [[Aman|West]], and the [[Elves of Lórien]] used [[Dol Amroth]] to do so.<ref name="Bjorkman"/>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Elrond banner.png|120px]]</center>||[[Elrond]]|| [[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]] headed Elrond's retinue to Aragorn's wedding with "''a banner of silver''".<ref>{{RK|VI5}}, p. 972</ref>
As explained by Agnieszka Żurek,<ref>Agnieszka Żurek, "Heraldry in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium", in ''The Coat of Arms: Annual of the Heraldry Society'', [https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Zurek-paper.pdf Number 239] (2022), p. 176</ref> this plain colour could be a reference to [[Vingilot]] (the ship of Elrond's father), which "with silver were her banners sewn".<ref>{{TI|V}}, p. 103</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - White Hand device.png|120px]]</center>||[[Orcs of Isengard]] ([[Saruman]]'s Orcs)||'''[[White Hand]]'''. "''Upon their shields they bore a strange device: a small white hand in the centre of a black field''".<ref name=Saruman>{{TT|III1}}, p. 415</ref>
|-
|<center></center>||[[Orcs of Isengard]] ([[Saruman]]'s Orcs)||"''on the front of their iron helms was set an S-rune''".<ref name=Saruman/>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Minas Morgul.png|120px]]</center>||[[Minas Morgul]]||"''a Moon disfigured with a ghastly face of death'".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.01.030}}</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Black serpent device.png|120px]]</center>||[[Haradrim]]||The '''[[black serpent]]''' was an emblem of a "''black serpent upon scarlet''" that was depicted on the standard of a chieftain of the [[Haradrim]] during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="Battle">{{RK|V6}}, pp. 839-40, 842</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Stewards of Gondor.png|120px]]</center>||[[Steward of Gondor]]||The stewards had a banner that was "''white without charge''".<ref name="RoyalStewards"/>
|-
|<center></center>||[[Andúril]]||"''a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun''".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 2.03.049}}</ref>
|}

===''Unfinished Tales''===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Wing.png|120px]]</center>||[[Tuor]]||By command of [[Ulmo]], king [[Turgon]] left in [[Vinyamar]] some arms for his future messenger. "''And Ulmo declared to Turgon of what kind of stature should the helm and mail and sword that he left behind''".<ref>{{S|15}}</ref>

"''Now Tuor loved [[swans]], which he knew on the grey pools of [[Mithrim]]; and the swan moreover had been the token of [[Annael]] and his foster-folk''". So when guided by good omens Tuor reached the abandoned realm, he found the arms and saw that the shield's "''field was blue, in the midst of which was wrought an emblem of a white swan's wing''". Recognizing the token as his own, the took the arms, claiming upon himself the doom they may carry.<ref>{{UT|1}}, pp. 25, 27</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Stewards.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of Húrin]]||When [[Cirion]] sent several messengers to [[Eorl]], they brought with them "''a small stone incised with the seal of the Stewards''",<ref>{{UT|8b}}, p. 297</ref> which consisted of "''the letters '''R · ND · R''' surmounted by three stars, signifying arandur (king's servant), steward''".<ref>{{UT|8e}}, p. 313, note 25</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Quentandil - Elendil.png|120px]]</center>||[[Elendil]]|| The [[Tomb of Elendil]] had engraved simply three letters: ''[[lambë]]'', ''[[ando]]'', ''lambë'':<ref>{{UT|8c}}, p. 304</ref> "''the letters were {{tg|mode=smith|j 2 j}} ('''L · ND · L'''): Elendil's name without vowel-marks, which he used as a badge, and a device upon his seals''".<ref>{{UT|8e}}, p. 316, note 40</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - Armor Emblem.png|120px]]</center>||[[Isildur]] and [[House of Isildur]]||The '''[[Star of Elendil]]''' or '''''Elendilmir''''' was first a Númenórean gem, a "''white star of Elvish crystal upon a fillet of mithril''", that was taken by Isildur "''as the token of royalty in the [[North Kingdom]]''". With Isildur's [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields|death]], the gem was lost and his son [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] was given a replica, and this token was used by the [[kings of Arnor]] and the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains]] down to [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref>{{UT|7}}, p. 277</ref>
|}

===Twelve houses of the Gondothlim===
The array of the [[twelve houses of the Gondothlim]] in the earliest version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' is quite detailed. Some of these folks have their emblems mentioned with capitalized letters (the White Wing, the Stricken Anvil). However, from some of the houses no details about their heraldry is given, but like the others, most probably they had their devices based on their names and reflecting their raiments:
*The [[House of the Pillar|houses of the Pillar]] and [[House of the Tower of Snow|of the Tower of Snow]] were both under the lordship of [[Penlod]], so they probably had similar raiments.
*The [[house of the Tree]] had green raiment.
*The [[people of the Fountain]] were fond of silver and diamonds, and bore pale and bright swords.<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|173}}

Below there are given the quotes describing the emblems hold by the other houses, keeping some pertinent mentions of their raiments.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!Emblem!!Holder!!Notes
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the King.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the King]]||"''Mighty was the array of the house of the King and their colour were white and gold and red, and their emblems the [[moon]] and the [[sun]] and the [[scarlet heart]]''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}} [[Turgon]] had taken the scarlet heart as an emblem after rescuing the heart and defiled body of his father [[Nólemë]] during the [[Battle of Unnumbered Tears]].<ref>{{LT1|X}}, p. 241</ref>
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Wing.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Wing]]||"''<nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Tuor]]'s<nowiki>]</nowiki> mail of silver gleamed; and about him was a press of the stoutest of the folk. Lo! all these wore wings as it were of [[swans]] or [[gulls]] upon their helms, and the emblem of the White Wing was upon their shields''".''<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}}''
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Mole.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Mole]]||"''...sable was their harness, and they bore no sign or emblem, but their round caps of steel were covered with moleskin''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|172}} "''Now the sign of [[Meglin]] was a sable [[Mole]]''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|165}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Swallow.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Swallow]]||"''Now the folk of the Swallow bore a fan of feathers on their helms, and they were arrayed in white and dark blue and in purple and black and showed an arrowhead on their shields''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Heavenly Arch.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Heavenly Arch]]||"''But they of the Heavenly Arch being a folk of uncounted wealth were arrayed in a glory of colours, and their arms were set with jewels that flamed in light now under the sky. Every shield of that battalion was of the blue of the heavens and its boss a jewel build of seven gems, rubies and amethysts and sapphires, emeralds, chrysoprase, topaz, and amber, but an opal of great size was set in their helms. [[Egalmoth]] was their chieftain, and wore a blue mantle upon which the star were broidered in crystal...''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:House of the Golden Flower.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Golden Flower]]||"''[They] bare a [[Wikipedia:Vergina Sun|rayed sun]] upon their shield, and their chief [[Glorfindel]] bare a mantle so broidered in threads of gold that it was diapered with celandine as a field in spring...''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Harp.png|120px]]</center>||[[Host of the Harp]]||"''They were dight with tassels of silver and tassels of gold, and s harp of silver shone in their blazonry upon a field of black; but [[Salgant]] bore one of gold''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|173}}
|-
|<center>[[File:Rondador - House of the Hammer of Wrath.png|120px]]</center>||[[House of the Hammer of Wrath]]||"''The sign of this people was the Stricken Anvil, and a hammer that smiteth sparks about it was set on their shields, and red gold and black iron was their delight''".<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|174}}
|}

===Gnomish banners===
In some "[[Prose Fragments Following the Lost Tales]]", Tolkien wrote a short narrative about the coming of the [[Gnomes]] into the [[Great Lands]] (the later [[Return of the Noldor]]), in which their leader and their sons hold several banners:<ref name="Prose">{{SM|P2}}, p. 7</ref>
[[File:Quentandil - Gnome Banners.jpg|250px|left]]
{{blockquote|Now the colours of the Gnomes were gold and white in those ancient days in memory of the [[Two Trees]], but [[Finwë|Gelmir]]'s standard bore upon a silver field with a crown of gold, and each captain had a fair banner; and the sign of [[Golfin]] in those days was upon gold a silver sword, and of [[Delin]] a green beech leaf upon silver diapered with golder flowers, and of [[Lúthien (son of Gelmir)|Lúthien]] a golden swallow that winged through an azure field as it were the sky set with silver stars...}}

The [[sons of Fëanor]] (here unrelated to the royal house) are said to be the ones who wrought the standard and banners, which shore either under the sun, moon, darkness or mist, thanks to their [[Magic|magical]] gems sewed in them.<ref name="Prose" />

In the following versions of the story in both the ''[[Sketch of the Mythology]]'' ([[1926]])<ref>{{SM|2}}, §8, p. 22</ref> and the ''[[Qenta Noldorinwa]]'' ([[1930]]),<ref>{{SM|Q8}}, p. 102</ref> the banners are merely mentioned as being "blue and silver".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Devices in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] (2001-3)===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Isildur mural.jpg|Mural with [[Gil-galad]]'s device in a banner. Art by [[Alan Lee]].
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Flag in Edoras.jpg|Flag of Rohan in [[Edoras]], seen by [[Éowyn]].
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Aragorn's Coronation.jpg|Gondor's device in shields and banners during [[Aragorn]]'s coronation.
</gallery>

==External links==
*[https://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry.htm Emblems and Heraldry] by [[Måns Björkman]]
*[[Wikipedia:Heraldry of Middle-earth|Heraldry of Middle-earth]] on Wikipedia
*"[https://www.academia.edu/4334565 The Eye and the Tree. The Semantics of Middle-earth Heraldry]", by Catalin Hriban. Published in [[Hither Shore 8|''Hither Shore'' 8]] (2011), pp. 198–211.
*"[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol32/iss1/7/ Tolkien's Devices: The Heraldy of Middle-Earth]", by Jamie McGregor. Published in [[Mythlore 123|''Mythlore'' 123]] (2013), pp. 95–112.
*"[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol9/iss1/5/ Symbols of Immortality: A Comparison of European and Elvish Heraldry]", by Margaret R. Purdy. Published in [[Mythlore 31|''Mythlore'' 31]] ([[1982]]), pp. 19–22, 36.

*[https://www.deviantart.com/aglargon/gallery/53078221/heraldry-in-tolkien Tolkien's heraldry recreated] by Aglargon
{{references|notes}}

File:Rondador - Minas Morgul.png

2026-01-24T22:57:12Z

Quentandil: Edited version of Rondador's [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Minas_Morgul.svg device of Minas Morgul] to fit the style of the article. ==License== {{CC-SA-3.0|[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rondador Rondador] on [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Minas_Morgul.svg Wikipedia]}} Category:Images of devices and symbols

== Summary ==
Edited version of Rondador's [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Minas_Morgul.svg device of Minas Morgul] to fit the style of the article.

==License==
{{CC-SA-3.0|[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rondador Rondador] on [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Minas_Morgul.svg Wikipedia]}}

[[Category:Images of devices and symbols]]

File:Rondador - Stewards of Gondor.png

2026-01-24T22:56:56Z

Quentandil: Undo revision 431328 by Quentandil (talk)

== Summary ==
Edited version of Rondador's [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Senescales_de_Gondor.svg version], which includes the R·ND·R, mentioned in ''Unfinished Tales'', but not in ''The Lord of the Rings'', which describes their banner as "white without charge".

==License==
{{CC-SA-3.0|[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rondador Rondador] on [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Senescales_de_Gondor.svg Wikipedia]}}

[[Category:Images of devices and symbols]]

File:Rondador - Stewards of Gondor.png

2026-01-24T22:56:37Z

Quentandil:

File:Rondador - Stewards of Gondor.png

2026-01-24T22:48:23Z

Quentandil: Edited version of Rondador's [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Senescales_de_Gondor.svg version], which includes the R·ND·R, mentioned in ''Unfinished Tales'', but not in ''The Lord of the Rings'', which describes their banner as "white without charge". ==License== {{CC-SA-3.0|[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rondador Rondador] on [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Senescales_de_Gondor.svg Wikipedia]}} Category:Images of devices and symbols

Category:Devices and symbols

2026-01-24T16:20:39Z

Quentandil: Added Main

{{Main|Heraldry}}

[[Category:Objects]]

File:Rondador - House of Dol Amroth.png

2026-01-24T16:19:53Z

Quentandil: Quentandil uploaded a new version of File:Rondador - House of Dol Amroth.png

==License==
{{CC-SA-3.0|[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rondador Rondador] on [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Dol_Amroth.svg Wikipedia]}}

[[Category:Images of the Ship and the Silver Swan]]

File:Ted Nasmith - Alqualondë.jpg

2025-12-29T11:09:39Z

Quentandil: Added license and category

{{Copyright-permission|[[Ted Nasmith]]|[https://www.tednasmith.com/ Ted Nasmith's website]|Ted Nasmith}}

[[Category:Images by Ted Nasmith]]
[[Category:Images of Alqualondë]]
[[Category:Images of ships]]

File:Ted Nasmith - Alqualondë.jpg

2025-12-29T11:07:51Z

Quentandil:

Kinslaying at Alqualondë

2025-12-29T11:07:13Z

Quentandil:

{{disambig-more|Kinslaying|[[Kinslaying (disambiguation)]]}}
{{battle
| image = Ted Nasmith - Kinslaying at Alqualondë.jpg
| name=Kinslaying at Alqualondë
| conflict=[[Exile of the Noldor]]
| date={{YT|1495}}<ref>{{AA|117-144}}, pp. 106-115</ref>
| result=Stealing of Telerin boats [[Fall of the Noldor]], [[Doom of Mandos]]
| place=[[Alqualondë]]
| side1=Houses [[House of Fëanor|of Fëanor]] and [[House of Fingolfin|of Fingolfin]]
| side2=[[Falmari]]
| commanders1=[[Fëanor]], [[Fingon]]
| commanders2=[[Olwë]]
| forces1=
| forces2=
| casual1=
| casual2=
}}

The '''Kinslaying at Alqualondë''', also known as the '''First Kinslaying''',<ref>{{MR|P2m}}, p. 115</ref> was an important event in the history of the [[Eldar]] in which the [[Noldor]]in [[Elves]] of [[Fëanor]] killed [[Teleri]]n Elves in order to gain their ships.

==History==
When [[Fëanor]] decided to leave [[Valinor]] he needed ships to travel to Middle-earth, but the Noldor possessed no ships, and Fëanor feared that any delay in their departure would cause the Noldor to reconsider. The Noldor, led by Fëanor and [[Sons of Fëanor|his sons]], tried to persuade the [[Falmari]] of [[Alqualondë]], to give him their [[Swan-ships]]. However, King [[Olwë]] and his people would not help them, since it was against the will of the [[Valar]], and in fact attempted to persuade their friends to reconsider their decision to leave. Displeased with the Teleri's answer, the [[Noldor]] started taking the ships by force. This angered the Teleri, and they threatened the Noldor with rocks and arrows, and they threw many of Fëanor's Noldor out of the ships into the harbour. They also attempted to block the harbour.

Then the Noldor drew swords, and the Teleri their [[bows]], and there was a bitter fight that seemed evenly matched, until the second Host of the Noldor, led by [[Fingon]], arrived together with some of [[Fingolfin]]'s people. Misunderstanding the situation, they assumed the Teleri had attacked the Noldor under orders of the Valar, and they joined the fight. In the end, many Teleri were slain and the ships were taken. The Noldor that continued [[Flight of the Noldor|their flight]] towards [[Middle-earth]] were therefore [[Doom of Mandos|cursed]] by [[Mandos]].<ref>{{S|Flight}}</ref>

==Legacy==
In [[Beleriand]], [[King of Doriath|King]] [[Thingol]] hosted the Noldor, but learning about the slaying of his kinsmen, banned [[Exilic Quenya|their language]] and refused to participate in the [[Battles of Beleriand|War of the Jewels]]. He also forbade them to enter [[Doriath]] save the [[House of Finarfin]] whose dynasts were his closest kin through [[Eärwen]] the daughter of his brother Olwë.<ref>{{S|Noldor}}</ref>

During the sixth [[Years of the Sun|solar century]] of the [[First Age]], the final ruin of [[Doriath]] where [[Dior|Dior Eluchíl]] was killed by the [[Sons of Fëanor]] was referred to as the '''[[Second Kinslaying]]''' in the chronicles of the [[Elder Days]],<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref><ref name="ToY">{{WJ|Years}}, p. 346-348</ref> and the attack by the Sons of Fëanor on the [[Mouths of Sirion]] where [[Elwing]] was attacked was called the '''[[Third Kinslaying]]''', the cruellest of all three.<ref name="ToY" />

When [[Eärendil|Eärendil]] sought the help of Valinor, the Teleri agreed to bring ships to Middle-earth, but their role was limited to this, refusing to fight on the side of the Noldor. After the [[War of Wrath]] ended, it was stated by [[Eönwë]] herald of [[Manwë]] that because of these evil deeds the remaining sons of Fëanor, [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]], had lost all right to the [[Silmarils]].<ref>{{S|Earendil}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of the Kinslaying at Alqualondë|Images of the Kinslaying at Alqualondë]]

{{References}}
{{kinslayings}}
[[Category:Conflicts in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[de:Sippenmord#Sippenmord von Alqualonde]]
[[fi:Alqualondën Sukusurma]]

Tolkien Calendar 2022

2025-12-29T11:06:47Z

Quentandil:

{{book
| title=Tolkien Calendar 2022
| image = Tolkien Calendar 2022.jpg
| illustrator=[[Ted Nasmith]]
| publisher=[[HarperCollins]]
| date=[[10 August]] [[2021]]
| format=Calendar
| pages=12
| isbn=978-0063139732
| precededby=[[Tolkien Calendar 2021]]
| followedby=[[Tolkien Calendar 2023]]
| usablenext=2022
}}

The '''''Tolkien Calendar 2022''''' was the official Tolkien calendar published by [[HarperCollins]] on [[10 August]] [[2021]]. It features art by [[Ted Nasmith]] depicting scenes from ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.

==From the publisher==

{{blockquote|The official Tolkien calendar, this year containing twelve stunning paintings inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion. Featuring breathtaking artwork by Ted Nasmith, with new and lesser known pieces unique to this calendar.

The official Tolkien calendar has become an established publishing event, eagerly anticipated by Tolkien fans the world over. Previous Tolkien calendars have become much sought after collector’s items, and this year’s will doubtless be an essential purchase for Middle-earth fans everywhere.

Featuring 12 full-color paintings of scenes from The Silmarillion, some of which are new and unique to this calendar, Ted Nasmith explores Tolkien’s creation with greater depth than ever before. Ranging from the Elder Days of Middle-earth, through the Second Age and the rise of Sauron, to the end of the War of the Ring, the reader is drawn even further into the fantastical world of Middle-earth.
}}

==Illustrations==
<gallery perrow=6 mode=nolines>
File:Ted Nasmith - Illuin, Lamp of the Valar.jpg|January
File:Ted Nasmith - Aulë_the_Destroyer.jpg|February
File:Ted Nasmith - Kinslaying at Alqualondë.jpg|March
File:Ted Nasmith - Lake Helevorn.jpg|April
File:Ted Nasmith - Eöl Welcomes Aredhel.jpg|May
File:Ted Nasmith - Turgon at Fingolfin's Cairn.jpg|June
File:Ted Nasmith - Luthien at Tol Galen 2020.jpg|July
File:Ted Nasmith - Túrin Bears Gwindor to Safety.jpg|August
File:Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel's Bane.jpg|September
File:Ted Nasmith - White Ships from Valinor.jpg|October
File:Ted Nasmith - The Ships of the Faithful.jpg|November
File:Ted Nasmith - Annúminas.jpg|December
</gallery>

{{tolkiencalendars}}
{{title|italics}}
[[Category:Official calendars|2022]]

Falmari

2025-12-29T11:06:44Z

Quentandil:

{{people infobox
| name=Falmari
| image = Ted Nasmith - The Ships of the Teleri Drawn by Swans.jpg
| caption="The Ships of the Teleri Drawn by Swans" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=[[Quenya|Q]], {{IPA|[ˈfalmari]}}
| othernames=Sea-elves, Teleri of Valinor
| origin=[[Teleri]] who completed the [[Great Journey]] into [[Aman]]
| location=[[Alqualondë]], [[Tol Eressëa]]
| affiliation=
| rivalry=
| language=[[Telerin]]
| members=[[Olwë]], [[Eärwen]]
| lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=Great singers and mariners, with a deep reverence for the sea
| height=
| hair=Dark, sometimes silver
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Falmari''' were the [[Teleri]] who followed the [[Great Journey]] into [[Beleriand]] and reached [[Valinor]].<ref name=s3/><ref name=index/>

==Origins==
[[File:Steamey - Ossë and the Teleri.jpg|thumb|left|''Ossë and the Teleri'' by [[:Category:Images by Steamey|Steamey]]]]
{{main|Lindar}}
The Teleri were the most numerous Elven clan and also the most slow and reluctant of the Great Journey; many turned back or stayed behind. Their leaders were the brothers [[Thingol|Elwë]] and [[Olwë]], but when Elwë became lost in Beleriand, [[Eglath|many]] of his people refused to carry on to [[Aman]] until he had been found; it was Olwë who led the rest to the shores of Beleriand.<ref name=s3>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>

As they waited for [[Ulmo]]'s floating island, they lingered at the [[Bay of Balar]] where they were befriended and taught by Ulmo's vassal, [[Ossë]]. When Ulmo returned to take the bulk of the Teleri with Olwë to the West, Ossë convinced some of them to forsake Valinor and stay behind with him. These afterwards became the [[Sindar]].<ref name=s3/>

==History==
As Ulmo ferried the floating island to the West, the Teleri again heard Ossë's song and begged Ulmo to stop off the shore, which he did. Ossë fastened the island to the bottom, and it became [[Tol Eressëa]], the lonely isle off the [[Bay of Eldamar]]. These Teleri became known as Falmari and their [[Telerin|language]] eventually diverged from [[Quenya|that]] of the [[Vanyar]] and the [[Noldor]].<ref name=s3/>

However soon the Falmari of the island longed for the splendour and [[Light of Valinor]] and wished to see their kindred there, the [[Vanyar]] and the Noldor. Grieving, Ossë submitted to the will of the [[Valar]] and Ulmo, and taught them ship-building and offered them [[swans]] to draw them to Valinor. There they built the city haven of [[Alqualondë]] with Olwë their king.<ref name=s3/>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Kinslaying at Alqualondë.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''The Kinslaying at Alqualondë'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The Teleri were mostly close to the Noldor. However during the [[Exile of the Noldor|Flight of the Noldor]], the Telerin mariners refused to join the host of [[Fëanor]] in leaving Valinor. They attempted to protect their swan-ships from the Noldor, however they were armed only with [[bows]]. Many of them were cruelly slain in the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]].<ref>{{S|9}}</ref>

In the closing years of the [[First Age]], Alqualonde was visited by [[Eärendil]] and [[Elwing]] who had reached Valinor. Elwing stayed a little there and told stories to the Teleri about the griefs of Beleriand and they were filled with pity and wonder. Because of their bitterness against the Noldor few or none of the Teleri joined the [[Host of the Valar]] which set out to capture [[Morgoth]] for good.<ref name="war" />

After the [[War of Wrath]], the Elves of Middle-earth were admitted to the Lonely Isle and Valinor. The Teleri eventually forgave the Ñoldor for the Kinslaying, the [[Doom of Mandos|Curse of Mandos]] was lifted and the two kindreds were at peace again.<ref name="war">{{S|Earendil}}</ref>

==Culture==
Having been taught by Ossë, the Teleri were masters of music, the sea and shipbuilding, and they used [[Swan-ships]]. When the Falmari reached Eldamar, they were close to the Noldor, who offered them many jewels and crystals, which they used to adorn their pools and beaches; the Falmari prized the pearls which they found from the sea and used for their halls.<ref>{{S|Princes}}</ref> The Teleri also prized [[silver]] (which they called ''[[Telpë|telpe]]'') above [[gold]].<ref>{{UT|6e}}</ref>

Although they spoke a different language, the closeness of the two peoples resulted in a [[wikipedia:sprachbund|sprachbund]], and the speech of the Noldor had some influence from [[Telerin]].<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Falmari'' is [[Quenya]] meaning "wave-folk"<ref name="cirdan">{{PM|XIII}}</ref> and contains the word ''[[falma]]'' "wave".<ref>{{S|Elements}}</ref>

The name "''Falmari''" (which is preferred in this article) is found only once<ref name="s3" /> in the published ''[[The Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]'', where the Teleri of Aman are mostly known as 'the Teleri' (obviously representing the Noldorin point of view); however the Teleri of Aman were properly just the branch of the Telerin clan.<ref name="index">{{S|Index}}</ref>

In one text, the names '''''Falmari''''' (Quenya) and '''''[[Falathrim]]''''' (Sindarin) both refer to the people of [[Círdan]] in Beleriand<ref name="cirdan" /> however elsewhere, as well as in the published ''Silmarillion'', the Quenya name refers to those in Valinor,<ref name="index" /><ref name="p3i3" /> and the Sindarin name to those of the [[Falas]].<ref name="index" />

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the early versions of Tolkien's mythology (see: ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''), they were known as '''''Solosimpi''''' ("Pipers of the Shores"), while the name ''Teleri'' was given to the clan of Elves known in the published version of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' as [[Vanyar]].

Other early names for the Teleri were '''Soloneldi''' (before being altered to "Falmari")<ref name="p3i3">{{MR|P3I3}}</ref> and '''Falmarindi''' meaning "foam-riders".<ref>{{LR|A2}}</ref>
{{elves}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Elven peoples]]
[[Category:Falmari| ]]
[[Category:Quenya demonyms]]
[[Category:Teleri]]

[[de:Falmari]]
[[fi:Falmari]]

File:Ted Nasmith - Kinslaying at Alqualondë.jpg

2025-12-29T11:06:20Z

Quentandil: Quentandil moved page File:Ted Nasmith - Alqualondë.jpg to File:Ted Nasmith - Kinslaying at Alqualondë.jpg without leaving a redirect: Other image has this title

Manwë

2025-12-27T19:20:15Z

Quentandil: NoldoR plural

{{short description|Vicegerent of Eru}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Valar|Vala]]
| name=Manwë
| image=Anna Kulisz - Manwe.jpg
| caption="Manwe" by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]
| pronun=[[Quenya|Q]], {{IPA|[ˈmanwe]}}
| othernames=''Súlimo'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''[[Mānawenūz]]'' ([[Valarin|V]]) ''Aran Einior'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) ''Amân'' ([[Adûnaic|A]])
| titles=High King of Arda Lord of the Breath of Arda Vicegerent of Eru
| position=[[King of Arda]]
| location=[[Ilmarin]], [[Taniquetil]]
| affiliation=[[Eönwë]], [[Olórin]] and the [[Eagles]]
| language=
| notablefor=
| siblings=[[Morgoth]]
| spouse=[[Varda]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=Blue<ref name=s1/>
| clothing=Blue<ref name=s1/>
| weapons=[[Sword of Manwë|Sword]]<ref>{{WJ|Last}}, p. 246</ref><ref>{{AA|50}}, p. 75</ref>
| steed=
}}
{{quote|Elves and Men revere Manwë most of all the Valar, for he has no thought for his own honour, and is not jealous of his power, but ruleth all to peace. Behold, the raiment of Manwë is blue, and blue is the fire of his eyes, and his sceptre is of sapphire which the Noldor wrought for him; and he is King of the world of gods and elves and men, and the chief defence against Melkor.|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', "[[Ainulindalë (Morgoth's Ring)|Ainulindalë]]"}}

'''Manwë Súlimo''' was the King of the [[Valar]], husband of [[Varda]] Elentári, brother of the [[Dark Lord]] [[Morgoth|Melkor]] (Morgoth), and '''High King of [[Arda]]'''. The winds, airs and birds were his servants. He was the greatest of the [[Ainur]] in authority, but not in power. The Lord of the Breath of Arda, he was appointed as its Ruler, hence his most common title, the '''Elder King'''.

==Attributes==
Manwë was the Ainu dearest to Eru, closest to his mind, and appointed his vicegerent on Earth. He was king, lord of Arda, and ruler of everything that dwells therein. His spouse is Varda, and they are seldom parted. His attributes are air and the winds, from the [[Veil of Arda]] to the small breezes. He also commands the birds.<ref name="vala" /> From the beginning, [[Ulmo]] has been his closest friend and ally. They come together when the vapors of the water become clouds high in the air. The two most faithfully served the purpose of Eru.<ref name="ai" />

He lived in [[Ilmarin|his halls]] atop Mount [[Taniquetil]], the highest mountain of the world. Together with Varda he could see farther than all other eyes. All things that flew in the light were his servants and brought him news from the farthest and deepest places of the world; save dark places in the deep that were Ulmo's domain<ref name="vala" /> or those hid by the black thought of powerful evil.

As the vicegerent of Eru on Earth, Manwë was a kind, compassionate ruler, unconcerned with his own power. Manwë dressed in blue robes and had blue eyes. He wielded a sceptre of sapphire made for him by the [[Noldor]]. The [[Vanyar]] were his favourite Elves, and they lived with him and Varda on Mount [[Oiolossë]], and he delighted in their songs and poetry.<ref name="s1">{{S|1}}</ref>

As every finite creature must have some weakness, Manwë's inherent fault was to become engrossed in amendment, healing, re-ordering — even ‘keeping the status quo’ — to the loss of all creative power and even to weakness in dealing with difficult and perilous situations. This applied to Manwë's dealings with Melkor, which were partly out of sheer fear of him, and partly out of desire to control him.<ref>{{MR|P5VI}}</ref>{{rp|522}}

==History==
In the thought of Ilúvatar, Manwë was the brother of Melkor, but dearest to Ilúvatar and the one that best understood the will of Eru.<ref name="vala">{{S|IIb}}</ref> When Melkor created the discord in the second [[Song of the Ainur]], Manwë took over leading the song, pondering about airs and winds.<ref name="ai">{{S|Ainu}}</ref>

Manwë along with [[Aulë]] and Ulmo were the chief architects of Arda, and when it was formed, he denied to surrender it to Melkor. Many [[spirits]], like Varda, came to his side from the deeps of [[Ea]].<ref name="ai" />

He did not understand evil, even in the form of his own brother. He released Melkor from [[Mandos]], thus allowing him to cause the distrust of [[Fëanor]], the [[Darkening of Valinor|Poisoning]] of the [[Two Trees]], the murder of [[Finwë]], the theft of the [[Silmarils]], and the [[Fall of the Noldor|revolt]] of the [[Noldor]].

To hearten the [[Eldar]], he had Aulë fashion the Sun and the Moon, for he knew the rising of the [[Atani]] was coming soon, and sent [[Thorondor]] and the [[Great Eagles]] to watch them.

After Morgoth's fall, Manwë cast him into the [[Void]]. In the [[Final Battle]], when Melkor escapes, it is said that the Elder King and the Dark Lord will battle on the Plains of [[Valinor]], but that they will not slay each other.

==Etymology==
''Manwë'' is intended to mean "Blessed One" in [[Quenya]], from [[root]] ''MAN'' plus the male ending ''[[-wë]]''. However it is said also to be a version of the [[Valarin]] name '''''Mānawenūz''''', which was the original [[Valarin]] name for Manwë. It meant "Blessed One, One (closest) in accord with Eru".<ref>{{WJ|AD1}}</ref>

==Other names==
'''''Súlimo''''' was a Quenya epithet meaning "Lord of the Breath of Arda",<ref name="vala" /> literally "Breather".<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 85</ref> The [[Sindarin]] form was probably ''Thû''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 124</ref>

He bore the title of '''Elder King''',<ref>{{S|24}}</ref> '''''Aran Einior''''' in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, p. 358</ref> Similar titles were '''High King of Arda'''<ref>{{S|9}}</ref> or '''King of Arda'''.<ref>{{S|2}}</ref><ref>{{S|7}}</ref>

In [[Adûnaic]], his name was '''''Amân'''''.<ref>{{SD|Drowning}}, p. 376</ref>

From the same root, ''[[The Etymologies]]'' give another epithet, ''Kalamando'' ("Light Mando"), being the light counterpart of ''[[Mandos|Morimando]]'' ("Dark Mando").<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "MBAD"</ref>

In [[Eriol]]'s [[Old English]] translations, Manwë is referred to as ''Wolcenfréa'', consisting of ''wolcen'' ("sky, [[Wiktionary:welkin|welkin]]") + ''fréa'' ("ruler").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 208</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|.| | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| MEL | | MAN |~| VAR | |MEL=[[Melkor]]|MAN='''MANWË'''|VAR=[[Varda]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In an early manuscript called "Valar name-list", Manwë has the additional [[Qenya]] names ''Taimo'' (masculine form of ''Taime'', "the sky") and ''Valtur'' ("King of the Valar").<ref>{{PE|14}}, p. 12</ref> Together with his wife, he was called '''''[[Wanwavoisi]]'''''.<ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}, entry "Súlimo"</ref>

His [[Gnomish]] names were '''''Man''''' and '''''Manweg'''''.<ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}, entry "Manwë"</ref>

==Inspiration==
Compared to real mythologies, Manwë represents possibly a [[Wikipedia:sky father|sky father]] like [[Wikipedia:Zeus|Zeus/Jupiter]] of the Greco-Roman mythology. Like Zeus, Manwë is both a [[Wikipedia:Sky deity|sky "deity"]] and a [[Wikipedia:King of the Gods|leader of his pantheon]] and is associated with the [[eagle]].

{{References}}

{{Ainur}}
{{Valar}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Manwe}}
[[Category:Aratar]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Qenya names]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Aman]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Manwe]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/aratar/manwe]]
[[fi:Manwë]]