 | |
| Region | |
| Dor Firn-i-Guinar | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Location | Southern Ossiriand, around Tol Galen |
| Type | Region |
Dor Firn-i-Guinar, the Land of the Dead that Live, was the name given by the Eldar to the region surrounding the isle of Tol Galen in southern Ossiriand, where Beren and Lúthien lived after their return from the dead.[1] It is told that the country was exceptionally beautiful, even reminding of the blessed land of Valinor.[2]
Other versions of the legendarium
In an early version of the legendarium, Dor Firn-i-Guinar (called at this time Land of the Cuilwarthin) was located south-west to Nargothrond, on the Hills of the Hunter (later Taur-en-Faroth)[3]. This location offered an "enchanted west" to Beleriand[4]. Then, the name was moved in the empty land between the Sirion and the Gelion. Still then, the name was struck out and a note in pencil was added : "Lies to the east of this and beyond the Great Lands of the East and of wild men"[5]. And indeed, on the Eastward extension of The First 'Silmarillion' Map, in Ossiriand, appears "Gweirth-i-Cuina", written over "Cuilwarthin"[6].
Etymology
Dor Firn-i-Guinar is the name appearing in the published Silmarillion,[7] apparently consisting of the Sindarin elements dor "land" + firn "dead" + in "who, that" + cuinar "live".[8]
In his manuscripts, Tolkien experimented with many variations on how to translate Land of the Dead that Live: I·Cuilwarthon, I·Guilwarthon, Cuilwarthien, Gwerth-i-cuina, and Gwerth-i-guinar.[9] In a 1972 letter, Tolkien used the name Dor Gyrth i chuinar.[10]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Doriath"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "IV. The First 'Silmarillion' Map: The Southern Half of the Map", p.224, entry "Beren".
- ↑ John Garth, The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, Frances Lincoln, 2020, p.56-58.
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "IV. The First 'Silmarillion' Map: The Southern Half of the Map", p.224, entry "Beren".
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "IV. The First 'Silmarillion' Map: The Eastward Extension", p.233.
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
- ↑ Compound Sindarin Names in Middle-earth at Tolkiendil.com (accessed 10 November 2011)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The History of Middle-earth Index (entries for Land of the Dead that Live)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 332, (dated 24 January 1972), p. 417