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Valar

Lords of the West
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...It is a long tale...

Aragorn

"Powers of Arda" by Jerrel Salvatierra
People
Valar
General Information
PronunciationQ, [ˈvalar]
Other namesLords of the West
OriginsCreation of the Ainur
LocationsTimeless Halls, Almaren, Aman
AffiliationIlúvatar
RivalriesMelkor
LanguagesValarin, Quenya, Sindarin, Telerin, Khuzdul
MembersAratar; Irmo, Tulkas, Estë, Vairë, Vána, Nessa
formerly: Melkor
Physical Description
LifespanImmortal
DistinctionsImmortality; rulers of the World
GalleryImages of Valar
”

But this condition Ilúvatar made, or it is the necessity of their love, that their power should thenceforward be contained and bounded in the World, to be within it for ever, until it is complete, so that they are its life and it is theirs. And therefore they are named the Valar, the Powers of the World.

Ainulindalë

The Valar (sg. Vala) were the Powers of Arda who shaped and ruled the world. They lived on the Western continent of Aman.

Origins

The Valar were Ainur, spirits that were the offspring of Ilúvatar's thought.[1]

After singing the Great Music, the Ainur witnessed the Vision of Ilúvatar and the creation of Eä (the Universe). The Valar were the greatest of the Ainur which then chose to enter Eä in order to shape Arda and prepare it it for the awakening of the Children of Ilúvatar, (Elves and Men); doing so required combating the evils of Melkor, who came to Arda to claim it as his own.[1]

As Ainur, the Valar were divine, immortal spirits who had no physical body and could remain invisible. Nonetheless, they took visible bodily forms after the manner of the bodies of Elves and Men.[2]:217–218 When not in bodily forms, the Valar were perceived by the Elves of Valinor as lights of different hues, which their eyes could not tolerate.[2]:218

Some called the Valar "gods[3]", but they were actually emissaries or regents of Ilúvatar, and they were not to be themselves worshipped.[4] Their purpose was not to be lords or masters of the Children of Ilúvatar, but rather to serve as elders and guides.[1][5] The Valar were prohibited from depriving the Children of their free will,[6][7] killing or otherwise using force against them,[4][8] or dominating them through displays of angelic power.[4]

Like all Ainur, the Valar had witnessed much of the unfolding of the history of Arda in the Vision of Ilúvatar, but not all of it. Parts of this history, and certain parts of Ilúvatar's thought, such as the true nature and destiny of the Children of Ilúvatar, remained hidden from them.[9]

The Valar, having entered Arda, were confined within its life; they suffered it's slow ageing, perceiving it as a growing weight upon them,[10] and faded, becoming more impotent, in proportion to the shape and constitution of things becoming more defined and settled.[11] They were in many ways to the total physical matter of Arda similar to the fëar within the corporeal hröar of the Incarnate.[10]

Names, hierarchy and relationships

These are the names of the Valar as they were known to the Eldar:

Lords of the Valar

  • Manwë Súlimo[3], the "Elder King", husband of Varda[12]
  • Ulmo, Lord of Waters, King of the Sea, "The Pourer", "The Rainer"[12]
  • Aulë the smith and master of crafts[12], husband of Yavanna[3]
  • Oromë, Aldaron (S. Tauron), "Lord of Trees",[12] the Great Rider[13], husband of Vána[3]
  • Mandos (Námo) the Judge[12], Doomsman of the Valar, husband of Vairë[3]
  • Lórien (Irmo), master of visions and dreams, husband of Estë[3]
  • Tulkas Astaldo[3], "greatest in strength and deeds of prowess[12]", champion of the Valar[9], husband of Nessa[3]

Note: Melkor (Morgoth, S. Bauglir) was no longer counted among the Valar in later days.[14]

Queens of the Valar (Valier)

The eight greatest Valar were known as the Aratar, the "High Ones of Arda"[3] or Máhani[15] and, "The Exalted"[12]. These included: Manwë, Ulmo, Aulë, Oromë, Mandos, Varda, Yavanna, and Nienna. Melkor, the most powerful of all the Ainur, is not counted among them.[14]

The brothers Lórien and Mandos are referred to collectively as the Fëanturi or "Masters of Spirits".[3]

In Middle-earth, the individual Valar were known by other names in other languages. For example in Sindarin, Varda was called Elbereth[12]. Men knew them by many other names, and sometimes referred to them as "gods"[3]. The Dwarves called Aulë, their creator, Mahal[12][16]. The Rohirrim knew Oromë as Béma[12].

Relationships between the Valar

In the mind of Eru, some Valar were siblings. It was also the Valar who first practiced marriage, and later passed on their custom to the Elves.

Marriages between the Valar included:

  • Manwë and Varda[12]
  • Aulë and Yavanna[3]
  • Oromë and Vána[3]
  • Mandos and Vairë[12]
  • Nessa and Tulkas[3]
  • Lórien and Estë[3]

Ulmo, Nienna, and Melkor were unmarried.

Valar who were siblings included:

  • Manwë and Melkor[3]
  • Vána and Yavanna[12]
  • Mandos, Lórien, and Nienna[12]
  • Nessa and Oromë[12]

History

When the Valar entered Eä, Manwë and Melkor fought, and Manwë called other spirits to help him in his battle. Among these were the other Valar and the Maiar. After this First War with Melkor, the Enemy withdrew from the battle into distant places of Eä, and the others continued to shape the World.

Long before the Awakening of the Elves, the Valar - namely Aulë, Varda and Manwë - created the Two Lamps that illuminated the world, and while they were dwelling in the isle of Almaren, nature prospered in the Spring of Arda. But Melkor saw this, and returned to fight for control of Arda, destroying the Lamps and thus marring the world further. The Valar retreated to Aman and founded Valinor;[5] this was first intended to be a fortress whence they might issue to renew the War, but became a Paradise of peace, while Middle-earth was corrupted and darkened by Melkor, long unopposed.[17]:210 Outside the golden gates of the city Valimar, the Valar gathered in Máhanaxar to hold their great councils, bathed in the light of the Two Trees, and some of the most momentous decisions of Eä's history were made.

Aulë and the Seven Fathers by Ted Nasmith

While they dwelt in Valinor, most of Arda was dark and under the control of Melkor. Eventually the Valar (even Ulmo) came to the Ring of Doom, and fearing about what would befall the Children, they began the Battle of the Powers, at the end of which they broke Utumno and imprisoned Melkor for three Ages. It was then decided to invite the Elves to Valinor. Ulmo, despite initially disagreeing with this decision, helped the Eldar traverse the Great Sea to the West. During that period the Valar welcomed the Calaquendi in Valinor and they prospered under their guidance and the holy Light of Valinor.[9]

Stars by Douglas Chaffee

But Melkor and Ungoliant killed the Two Trees and their Light, and the Valar and the Elves mourned the Darkening of Valinor. Fëanor, the most gifted of the Elves, rebelled against the Valar and refused to surrender the Silmarils to rekindle the Trees, and then opted to leave Valinor to wrest the Silmarils from the Dark Lord after he stole them. He blamed the Valar for Morgoth's deeds and most Elves were persuaded that because the Valar had abandoned them, the Noldor must follow him to Middle-earth. He and his sons vowed to fight anyone and everyone - Elf, Man, Maia, or Vala - who withheld the Silmarils.[18][19]

Ted Nasmith - Ulmo Appears before Tuor

After the departure of the rebelling Noldor, the Valar created the Sun and Moon from the last living growth of the Two Trees and appointed two Maiar to steer them through the skies. However, after the Enemy attempted to destroy the Moon, the Valar fortified Valinor. The Hiding of Valinor made it inaccessible to Morgoth, but also exiled the Noldor who followed Fëanor.[20]

The Valar virtually abandoned the peoples of Middle-earth who suffered during the Wars of Beleriand, although they had their ways to guide them through their sufferings: Ulmo urged Turgon and Finrod to build their hidden kingdoms and guided Tuor to Gondolin as a messenger for Turgon.

Lúthien's Lament Before Mandos by Ted Nasmith

Near the end of the First Age, Eärendil breached the Hiding of Valinor and went before the Valar, and asked them for aid for Men and Elves in Middle-earth, to fight against Morgoth; and the Valar accepted his plea. The Host of the Valar, composed of Maiar and Amanyar, came to Beleriand and fought the great War of Wrath and managed their final victory over the Dark Lord, who was judged again, and expelled from Arda.[21] The road to Valinor opened again for the Elves, both the exiled Noldor and the Moriquendi of Middle-earth.

The Edain suffered much during the Wars and under Morgoth, and the Valar created the isle of Elenna for them, and blessed them and their descendants with wisdom, knowledge and longevity. However, they imposed a ban on them to never travel westwards. Although the Númenóreans dominated the mortal lands, eventually they were restricted by the Ban of the Valar and the fear of death. They envied the Valar and the Elves for their immortality, and King Tar-Atanamir was the first to speak against the immortals.

The Eagles of Manwë by Ted Nasmith

Eagle-shaped storm clouds, called the "Eagles of the Lords of the West", were sent by Manwë when he tried to reason or threaten the Númenóreans. After several generations, Númenor fell under the corrupting influence of Sauron, who eventually assured King Ar-Pharazôn that if he ever reached Aman he would become immortal. He gathered a great host of ships and sailed to break the Ban of the Valar and wage war upon them. But Manwë was aware of what transpired, and the Valar then laid down the Guardianship of Arda. Ilúvatar responded by catastrophically changing the shape of Arda. After the destruction of Númenor, the Undying Lands were removed from Arda so that Men could not reach them and only the Elves could go there by the Straight Road and in ships capable of passing out of the Spheres of the earth.[22]

By the Third Age, the Valar worried about the growing Shadow of Sauron, and they held counsel. They sent some Maiar who came to the mortal lands in the guise of old men, a part of some restrictions imposed upon them. They formed the Order of the Wizards and opposed Sauron until his demise in the War of the Ring.[23][24]

It is said that their guardianship will grow weak and the Dark Lord will eventually escape the Doors of Night. The Valar will fight him again in the Dagor Dagorath, when the world will be destroyed, but the Ainur along with Elves and Men will sing anew a Second Music of the Ainur. All the Ainur know is that the Second Music will be greater than the First Music. Even the Ainur do not know anything of the second world or the Second Music only that it will be greater than the First Music.

Etymology

The word vala is Quenya for "(angelic) power" and derives from the root BAL, having to do with mightiness and power. The Primitive Quendian form of the word was bálā, pl. bal-ī.[25] Related words suggested authority or divinity, eg. vala- ("to rule").[26]

The Valar were commemorated in the day-name Valanya and personal names such as Valandur or Valandil. The word is also the name of Tengwa #22.

Other names

In Sindarin, they are called Belain, sg. Balan as in the day-name Orbelain and the constellation Cerch i Mbelain. More commonly, they were called Rodyn (singular Rodon) instead.

The Valar are also called the "Lords of Valinor"[22] or númeheruvi ("Lords-of-West").[27]:246

In Adûnaic, the Valar were Avalôi (pl.) and Avalôim (subj. pl.) "Powers". The female form (equivalent to Valie) was Avalê ("goddess").[27]:241, 305, 428 They had also the title Barîm an-Adûn ("Lords-of-West").[27]:247

In Ælfwine's translations in Old English, the Valar were called Ése ("Gods"), Brega ("Rulers") and Mægnu ("Powers"), while the Chief Valar were Fréan ("Lords").[28] The Old English name for the Valar that "came" to Arundel Lowdham was however different, its being Tíwas.[29]

Attributes

The Valar were typically seen and known to the Eldar while donning their fanar, visible bodily forms adopted by the Valar and their kind as their normal "raiment". These forms were shaped after the manner of the bodies of Elves and Men, though they appeared radiant as if lit by a light within. The Great Valar had a stature greater than that of the tallest Elves, though not gigantic, but could assume awe-inspiring height when performing some great deed or issuing great commands.[2]:217–218

The Elves of Valinor asserted that unclad and unveiled the Valar were perceived by some among them as lights, of different hues, which their eyes could not tolerate.[2]:218 Melkor, they said, was invisible and his presence was revealed only by great dread and by a darkness that dimmed or blotted out the light and hues of all things near him.[2]:fn1

Other versions of the legendarium

In The Book of Lost Tales, the Valar were more closely associated with pagan mythologies. Other than marrying, they were able to have children. Fionwe and Ilmare were first conceived as the children of Manwë and Varda and Gothmog as the son of Melko. Some Valarindi ("Offspring of the Valar") were made Maiar in the later legendarium.[30]

In those earlier conceptions, the word Vala was associated with Qenya words for happiness and blessedness, as seen in the words valin and valimo ("happy"). Thus the word Valar meant "Happy ones" before being reconceived as being associated with power. The Qenya form referring specifically to a male Vala was Valu, whereas the female form of the Vala was Valde or Valis.[31]

In the Etymologies, it said that the word has no female form, and a female Vala is called Valatári or "Queen of the Valar".[25] In The Silmarillion, the female form is Valie.

Wanwavoisi is a name for both Varda and Manwë together, according to the early version of the legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales. It is a Qenya name, but its etymology is unclear, although it probably contains the element wanwa ("great gale").[32]

Abandoned Valar concepts

There were several named Valar who were not included in later versions of the legendarium. These included:

  • Lúthien, son of the Vala Telimektar, also known as Lúsion (Gnomish for "friend" in some outlines and "wanderer" in others)[33][34]
  • Nielíqui, daughter of Oromë and Vána[35][36]; also known as Nielikki, Nyelikki, and Nieliqi,[37] as well as Wendine (meaning "Little Maiden" in Qenya)[38]:15
  • Nornorë, herald of the Gods and messenger of Manwë[39][40]:263
  • Makar, warrior Vala and brother of Meássë,[39] also known as Ramandor (Qenya for "The Shouter)[40]:259 and Kostorin (or Gothonwi in Gnomish)[38]:13
  • Meássë, "warrior goddess" and "fierce sister" of Makar, also known as Rávi (related to ravennë "she-lion")[39] as well as Tarkil[38]:15
  • Ómar, also called Amillo, the youngest of all the Valar,[39] master of languages and songs[41]:47
  • Telimektar, son of Tulkas, also known as Mordo[37] and Telmaithron[38]:13

Some Ainur, such as Ossë and Uinen were initially considered as Valar, but were later changed to Maiar.[42]

Children of the Valar

The Valarindi were the Children of the Valar in the earliest phases of the mythology, especially in The Book of Lost Tales. In the later versions, the concept was abandoned and some of the Valarindi characters survived as Maiar. The Quenya name is attested for the last time in The Annals of Aman.[43]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Ainulindalë: The Music of the Ainur"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: XIV. The Visible Forms of the Valar and Maiar"
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Valar""
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 156, (dated 4 November 1954)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Four. Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth: Author's Notes on the 'Commentary'", p. 339
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The case of the Quenya change of Þ to s", p. 334
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Four. Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth: Glossary", p. 350
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: III. Of the Time in Arda"
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] VII"
  12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names""
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Account of the Valar and Maiar According to the Lore of the Eldar", pp. 25-26
  15. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, p. 402
  16. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Aulë and Yavanna"
  17. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: XII. The Knowledge of the Valar"
  18. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Darkening of Valinor"
  19. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor"
  20. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor"
  21. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
  23. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Istari"
  24. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 350 (root appearing as "BAL-")
  26. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, p. 404
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated
  28. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: Appendix 1: Fragments of a translation of The Quenta Noldorinwa into Old English, made by Ælfwine or Eriol; together with Old English equivalents of Elvish names", pp. 208-211
  29. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part Two: The Notion Club Papers Part Two: Night 66", p. 242
  30. ↑ "Children of the Valar", Ask About Middle-earth
  31. ↑ Helge Fauskanger, "Quettaparma Quenyallo", Ardalambion
  32. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "Súlimo"
  33. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "VI. The History of Eriol or Ælfwine and the End of the Tales", outline 16, pp. 301-2
  34. ↑ Paul Strack, "G. Lúthien m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 23 Novemebr 2024)
  35. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Monsters and the Critics, and Other Essays, "A Secret Vice", p. 220 (note 9)
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Index, p. 288
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Qenyaqetsa: The Qenya Phonology and Lexicon", in Parma Eldalamberon XII (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), p.69
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Early Qenya and The Valmaric Script", in Parma Eldalamberon XIV (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden)
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "III. The Coming of the Valar and the Building of Valinor"", p. 67
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "II. The Music of the Ainur"
  42. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: The Valaquenta", p. 201, note to §3
  43. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman": §4, p. 49
  44. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "IV. The Chaining of Melko", p. 101
  45. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin", p. 216
  46. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: [Section] 19", pp. 165-166 (see note 9)
  47. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion", p. 333

See also

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
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