Ithildin: Difference between revisions

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A magical substance made by the [[Elves]] from [[Mithril]], that could only be seen by the reflected light of the moon and stars, and even then remained hidden until a magical word was said. [[Gandalf]] translated its name as 'starmoon', but 'moon-sparkle' would perhaps be a more literal rendering. The designs on the [[West-gate]] of [[Moria]] were made from this substance.
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[[File:Donato Giancola - The Doors of Moria.jpg|thumb|''The Doors of Moria'' by [[Donato Giancola]].]]
'''''Ithildin''''' was a substance made by the [[Elves]] out of the metal ''[[mithril]]'' and used by the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] in constructions such as gateways. Ithildin could only be seen by the [[silmë|reflected light]] of the [[Moon]] and [[stars]], and even then remained hidden until a "[[magic]]" word was said. The designs on the [[Doors of Durin]] were made from this substance.<ref name=FR>{{FR|II4}}, p. 317</ref>
==Etymology==
In the [[legendarium]], [[Gandalf]] translated ''ithildin'' as "starmoon".<ref name=FR/>
 
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] stated that ''ithildin'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, meaning "moon-star(light"), "moonlight" or "starlight". The word contains the elements ''[[Moon#Other names|Ithil]]'' ("moon") + ''[[tîn#Noun|tin/tîn]]'' ("spark; star; twinkle of stars"). He noted that the correct Sindarin form should be ''ithildim''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 39, 66</ref>
{{references}}
[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Sindarin nouns]]
[[de:Ithildin]]
[[fr:encyclo/biologie/metaux/ithildin]]
[[fi:Ithildin]]

Latest revision as of 06:28, 1 January 2023

The Doors of Moria by Donato Giancola.

Ithildin was a substance made by the Elves out of the metal mithril and used by the Gwaith-i-Mírdain in constructions such as gateways. Ithildin could only be seen by the reflected light of the Moon and stars, and even then remained hidden until a "magic" word was said. The designs on the Doors of Durin were made from this substance.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

In the legendarium, Gandalf translated ithildin as "starmoon".[1]

Tolkien stated that ithildin is a Sindarin name, meaning "moon-star(light"), "moonlight" or "starlight". The word contains the elements Ithil ("moon") + tin/tîn ("spark; star; twinkle of stars"). He noted that the correct Sindarin form should be ithildim.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark", p. 317
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), pp. 39, 66