Yavanna

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Yavanna
Vala
Jenny Dolfen - Yavanna, Giver of Fruits.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesKementári
Family
SpouseAulë
Physical Description
GenderFemale
GalleryImages of Yavanna

Yavanna Kementári (Q, pron. N [jaˈvanːa ˌkemenˈtaːri], V [jaˈβanːa ˌkemenˈtaːri]) was a Valië, the consort of Aulë. She was responsible for all things that grew in the earth and was next to Varda in reverence. Her usual form was that of a tall woman robed in green.[1] Melian of the Maiar was of her kin.[2]

History

Yavanna's Trees by Jacek Kopalski

In the beginning of days Yavanna was one of the Valar who contended with Morgoth. After his expulsion from Arda she planted the seeds that she had long devised and life came to Middle-earth, although in the beginning no flowers bloomed.[3] When the Two Lamps were destroyed much of the life on Middle-earth slumbered in the Sleep of Yavanna[4] that lasted until the rising of the Moon and the Sun.[5]

After the destruction of the Two Lamps the Valar withdrew to Aman and created Valinor. Upon the green mound of Ezellohar Yavanna sat and sang while the other Valar sat and listened. Her song, with the aid of the tears of Nienna brought forth the Two Trees which gave light to the land. However, Yavanna did not forsake the Outer Lands; at times she would come there and heal the hurts of Morgoth.[3]

After Eru allowed Aulë's creations, the Dwarves, to survive, Yavanna feared that they would cut down all the trees in Middle-earth. Aulë, in reply, told her that even Elves and Men, the true Children of Ilúvatar would have need of her trees as well. Yavanna lamented to Manwë, questioning whether anything she had made would be free from the dominion of others. Manwë brought her concerns before Ilúvatar in prayer, and Eru did indeed have pity upon Yavanna: He answered her plea by creating the Ents to protect the trees.[6]

When the Elves built Tirion upon Tol Eressëa Yavanna fashioned the tree Galathilion, a lesser image of Telperion, for the court beneath the Mindon.[7]

After the destruction of the Two Trees Yavanna examined their remains and told the other Valar that if she could use the light of the Silmarils she could heal them. This light she was denied by the will of Fëanor.[8] Doing what she and Nienna could, they managed to bring forth one silver flower from Telperion and one golden fruit from Laurelin. She gave these to her husband Aulë, who fashioned vessels for them and thus creating the Moon and the Sun.[5]

For the Men who had stood with the Valar in the War of Wrath the land of Andor was raised by Ossë, established by Aulë, and enriched by Yavanna. When the Edain came to this island they created the realm of Númenor.[9]

Etymology

Yavanna means "Giver of Fruits" in Quenya. The name is a compound of yáve and anna. Her epithet Kementári means "Queen of the Earth".[1]

Her Sindarin name appears to be Ivon, only attested in the compound Ivonwin ("Maidens of Yavanna").[note 1] The Noldorin equivalent was Ivann.[10]

Other Versions of the Legendarium

Yavanna's surname, Kementári, was Palúrien ([paˈluːri.en]) at an earlier stage of writing of The Silmarillion.[11]

See also

Notes

  1. The name Ivon (variant form Ifon) was also the Gnomish form of Qenya Yavanna. Cf. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, p. 273.

References

Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar