Eldamar, also known as Elendë (Q) or Elvenhome, was the land of the Amanyar in Aman, which encompassed the Calacirian (the area around the cleft of Calacirya, including the hill of Túna), as well as the coastal areas east of the Pelóri including the island of Tol Eressëa in the Bay of Eldamar.
The main settlements of the Elves in this region were Tirion on Túna (where the Noldor and the Vanyar dwelt together in ancient times), Alqualondë (the Swanhaven of the Teleri), and Avallónë on Tol Eressëa.[1]
After the rebellion of the Noldor and the Kinslaying at Alqualondë, Fëanor led a great part of the Noldor out of Eldamar, north along shorelands scattered with jewels and crystals. His half-brother Finarfin marched with him, but ultimately abandoned the northward journey. He returned at last to Eldamar, to rule as King over the few Noldor that remained in Tirion.[2]
Etymology
Eldamar means "Elvenhome" in Quenya,[3][4] although it directly means ("dwelling of the stars"); composed of elda ("of the stars") and már ("dwelling").[5][6]
Other versions of the legendarium
An early name for the region was Eglamar, having the same meaning as Eldamar (Egla being the Gnomish form of the later Elda).[7]
Eglavar ("Elfland") is possibly a variant of Eglamar.[8]
Inspiration
The name is a direct translation of the mythological Elfhame (lit. "Elf-home") meaning "Elfland, Faery".
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor"
- ↑ 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), p. 20
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entry, Elen
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Two. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beleriand its Realms (Chapter 11)", p. 189
- ↑ A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages, A Secret Vice, "Notes" (note 85)