Fëa

From Tolkien Gateway
(Redirected from Fëar)
"The fëar of the Elves and Men (and Dwarves via Aulë, Ents via Yavanna) were intrusions into from outside. As the Valar were sent into Eä."
The Nature of Middle-earth, "The Primal Impulse", p. 290

fëa (pl. fëar) is the Quenya word for "soul, indwelling spirit of an incarnate being".[1] The union of fëa and hröa was the essential characteristic of the Incarnates.[2] The fëar were sent into directly by Ilúvatar; and unlike the hröa, they are indestructible and unable to be dominated by any force within Eä, unless they give consent.[3] The Sindarin equivalent is fae.[4]

The word fëar is only used in reference to souls whose natural state is to be incarnated; those spirits that do not require a hröa in order to be complete are called ëalar ("beings").[4]

Fëar were sent to inhabit the Ents.[5] Unbodied fëar, could be controlled by necromancy[6] (See also: undead).

Animals,[7] and according to some lore beings like the Orcs, were soulless (did not possess fea).[8]

Examples[edit | edit source]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Appendix to the Index: Elvish words and terms", p. 470
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Four. Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth: Addit. Silmarillion — Commentary", p. 330
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar, Of Death and the Severance of fëa and hrondo [>hröa]", p. 218
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (I) The First Phase: 3. Of the Coming of the Elves", p. 165
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 247, (dated 20 September 1963)
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar, Of Re-birth and Other Dooms of Those that go to Mandos", p. 224
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed" pp. 409-11
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] VIII"