Verna
From Tolkien Gateway
Verna was an obscure location in southwest Beleriand near the Mouths of Sirion.
Arvernien was named after it.
Inspiration[edit | edit source]
Verna does not appear in narration or any maps of Beleriand; Tolkien appears to have invented the name in order to explain the etymology of Arvernien.[1] Since Tolkien explains Arvernien as "Land beside Verna", geographically, Verna could refer to adjacent regions like the forest of Nimbrethil or Lisgardh.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
Verna could be related to Quenya feren which means "birch, beech tree", and if so, it could refer to the forest of Nimbrethil ("(forest of) silver birches").[2] Another possibility is that it refers to a river, obviously Sirion, and comes from the Root WER, "winding" (thus, "Winding River").[3]
References
- ↑ 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. 19
- ↑ This connection was suggested by the Encyclopedia of Arda, and it referred to Arvernien, without acknowledging the existence of Verna as an independent word[1].
- ↑ David Salo, "Verna? (345.98)" dated 3 December 2007, Elfling (accessed 7 June 2023)
