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'''Ilmen''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈilmen]}}) was a part of the atmosphere that surrounded the world of [[Arda]], the region of airs where the [[stars]] are. | '''Ilmen''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈilmen]}}) was a part of the atmosphere that surrounded the world of [[Arda]], the region of airs where the [[stars]] are.<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref> Flesh can't survive the airs above Ilmen unaided.<ref name=Ak>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> | ||
In the [[First Age]], [[Varda]] gave power to the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]] the power to traverse the lower regions of Ilmen, and be closer than the stars, they would outshine them. Initially they voyaged upon appointed courses above the [[girdle of Arda]] from the [[West]] unto the [[East]] and back, so that they would be meet at the middle of each day above the middle of the earth. Later [[Morgoth]] sent [[spirits of shadow]] against [[Tilion]] and after a strife beneath the stars, he defeated them.<Ref>{{S|Sun}}</ref> | |||
After the [[Changing of the World]], the [[Straight Road]] however traverses Ilmen and reaches [[Tol Eressea]] and [[Valinor]].<ref name=Ak/> | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[[Christopher Tolkien]] has noted that ''Ilmen'' is related to such words as ''[[Ilmarë]]'' and ''[[Ilmarin]]''<ref>{{S|Elements}}, entry ''ilm-''</ref>. | [[Christopher Tolkien]] has noted that ''Ilmen'' is related to such words as ''[[Ilmarë]]'' and ''[[Ilmarin]]''<ref>{{S|Elements}}, entry ''ilm-''</ref>. | ||
In the ''[[Etymologies]]'', Ilmen is derived from the [[root]] [[GIL]] signifying "the region above air where stars are".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry [[GIL]]</ref> See also ''[[men (Elvish)|-men]]'' | In the ''[[Etymologies]]'' however, Ilmen is derived from the [[root]] [[GIL]] signifying "the region above air where stars are".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry [[GIL]]</ref> See also ''[[men (Elvish)|-men]]'' | ||
==Other versions of the Legendarium== | ==Other versions of the Legendarium== | ||
In the early schematic titled ''[[I Vene Kemen]]'', the middle layer of airs was marked as ''Ilwe'' ([[Qenya]]). | In the early schematic titled ''[[I Vene Kemen]]'', the middle layer of airs was marked as ''Ilwe'' ([[Qenya]]). | ||
In the [[Ambarkanta]], Ilmen formed the outer layer of normal air, | In the [[Ambarkanta]], Tolkien initially wrote it as Silma, which then was changed to Ilma and finally Ilmen. In those texts, Ilmen formed the outer layer of normal air, enclosing the inner air, [[Vista]], and itself enclosed by [[Vaiya]] beyond. According to the [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Ambarkanta Diagram II.jpg|Diagram II]], Ilmen is narrower along [[North]] and [[South]], allowing some ice mountains to be formed on the surface of Vaiya. As Valinor lays outside Vista, its main air is Ilmen which is breathed by the [[Valar]]; it is cleansed and purified by the [[Light of Valinor]], and the celestial bodies, preventing it to be darkened into mists and shadows. It is said that descending from Vista one may land on the earth, but from Ilmen one may land on Valinor. | ||
Ilmen is the level of the [[Sun]], the [[Moon]] and the [[Stars]] so it was also called ''Tinwe-malle'' (star-street) and ''[[Elenarda (disambiguation)|Elenarda]]'' (Stellar Kingdom).<ref>{{SM|Ambar}}, pp. 240-1, 242-3, 253</ref><ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 16</ref> | Ilmen fills the gap between the edge of the world and Vaiya, and thus encloses Ambar above and below. The waters of [[Middle-earth]] are a compound of Vaiya and Ilmen, which [[Ulmo]] blends under the [[Earthroots]]. | ||
Ilmen is the level of the [[Sun]], the [[Moon]] and the [[Stars]] so it was also called ''Tinwe-malle'' (star-street) and ''[[Elenarda (disambiguation)|Elenarda]]'' (Stellar Kingdom).<ref>{{SM|Ambar}}, pp. 240-1, 242-3, 253</ref><ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 16</ref> The [[Moon]] passed through Ilmen on its way around the world, plunging down the [[Chasm of Ilmen]] on its way back. | |||
{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
Revision as of 10:48, 22 January 2020
Ilmen (Q, pron. [ˈilmen]) was a part of the atmosphere that surrounded the world of Arda, the region of airs where the stars are.[1] Flesh can't survive the airs above Ilmen unaided.[2]
In the First Age, Varda gave power to the Sun and Moon the power to traverse the lower regions of Ilmen, and be closer than the stars, they would outshine them. Initially they voyaged upon appointed courses above the girdle of Arda from the West unto the East and back, so that they would be meet at the middle of each day above the middle of the earth. Later Morgoth sent spirits of shadow against Tilion and after a strife beneath the stars, he defeated them.[3]
After the Changing of the World, the Straight Road however traverses Ilmen and reaches Tol Eressea and Valinor.[2]
Etymology
Christopher Tolkien has noted that Ilmen is related to such words as Ilmarë and Ilmarin[4].
In the Etymologies however, Ilmen is derived from the root GIL signifying "the region above air where stars are".[5] See also -men
Other versions of the Legendarium
In the early schematic titled I Vene Kemen, the middle layer of airs was marked as Ilwe (Qenya).
In the Ambarkanta, Tolkien initially wrote it as Silma, which then was changed to Ilma and finally Ilmen. In those texts, Ilmen formed the outer layer of normal air, enclosing the inner air, Vista, and itself enclosed by Vaiya beyond. According to the Diagram II, Ilmen is narrower along North and South, allowing some ice mountains to be formed on the surface of Vaiya. As Valinor lays outside Vista, its main air is Ilmen which is breathed by the Valar; it is cleansed and purified by the Light of Valinor, and the celestial bodies, preventing it to be darkened into mists and shadows. It is said that descending from Vista one may land on the earth, but from Ilmen one may land on Valinor.
Ilmen fills the gap between the edge of the world and Vaiya, and thus encloses Ambar above and below. The waters of Middle-earth are a compound of Vaiya and Ilmen, which Ulmo blends under the Earthroots.
Ilmen is the level of the Sun, the Moon and the Stars so it was also called Tinwe-malle (star-street) and Elenarda (Stellar Kingdom).[6][7] The Moon passed through Ilmen on its way around the world, plunging down the Chasm of Ilmen on its way back.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entry ilm-
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entry GIL
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta", pp. 240-1, 242-3, 253
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies — Part One" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003, p. 16
| Middle-earth Cosmology | |
| Constellations | Anarríma · Durin's Crown · Menelmacar · Remmirath · Soronúmë · Telumendil · Valacirca · Wilwarin |
|---|---|
| Stars | Alcarinquë · Borgil · Carnil · Elemmírë · Helluin · Luinil · Lumbar · Morwinyon · Nénar · Star of Eärendil · Til |
| The Airs | Aiwenórë · Fanyamar · Ilmen · Menel · Vaiya · Veil of Arda · Vista |
| Narsilion | Arien · Moon (Isil, Ithil, Rána) · Sun (Anar, Anor, Vása) · Tilion |
| See also | Abyss · Arda · Circles of the World · Eä · Timeless Halls · Two Lamps · Two Trees · Void |
