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{{maiar infobox
{{maiar infobox
| image=[[Image:Marta Aguado - Melian.jpg|250px]]
| name=Melian
| name=Melian
| image=[[File:Elena Kukanova - The Light of Valinor.jpg|250px]]
| caption="The Light of Valinor" by [[:Category:Images by Elena Kukanova|Elena Kukanova]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| othernames=
| coming=During the [[Years of the Trees]].
| titles=Queen of Doriath
| death=Immortal.
| position=
| duty=[[Vána]] and [[Estë]].
| location=[[Doriath]]
| robes=Red.
| affiliation=[[Vána]] and [[Estë]]
| gender=Female.
| language=
| appearance=Beautiful, regal.
| birth=
| hair=Dark.
| birthlocation=
|}}
| rule=
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Melian.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
| death=
{{pronounce|Quenya - Melyanna.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
| deathlocation=
'''Melian''' the [[Maia]] was the wife of [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]], mother of [[Lúthien]], and Queen of [[Doriath]]. She appears in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' and ''[[The Children of Húrin]]''.
| age=
| notablefor=[[Girdle of Melian]]
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Thingol]]
| children=[[Lúthien]]
| gender=Female
| height=
| hair=Dark
| eyes=
| clothing=Red
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Melian''' the [[Maia]] was the wife of [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]], mother of [[Lúthien]], and '''Queen of [[Doriath]]'''.
 
== Attributes==
Melian served [[Vána]] and [[Estë]]. She was said to be akin to [[Yavanna]] the Valië. She is associated with songbirds, and it is said she taught nightingales how to sing. In [[Valinor]], she dwelt in the gardens of [[Lórien in Valinor|Lórien]] tending its trees; the song of [[nightingales]] followed her paces. However she journeyed often to [[Middle-earth]] for she loved the deep shadows of trees and forests.<ref>{{S|IIc}}</ref><ref>{{S|4}}</ref>
==History==
[[File:Elena Kukanova - Nan Elmoth - Elwe and Melian.jpg|thumb|left|Elena Kukanova - ''Nan Elmoth - Elwe and Melian'']]
Back in the time of the [[Great March]] when the [[Eldar]] marched into the [[Aman|West]], in the woods of [[Nan Elmoth]], Melian came upon [[Elwë Singollo]] of the people of the [[Teleri]]. Elwe was entranced and fell into a swoon at the sight of the Maia Melian and the two of them stood hand in hand unable to move or speak for years while the trees grew around them. As a result of his absence, a portion of his followers stayed behind to search for him, while the rest continued on to [[Valinor]].
 
Melian and Thingol recovered and gathered the Elves who stayed behind to look for Elwe, who were named [[Eglath]]. They founded the kingdom of [[Eglador]] in and ruled as King and Queen of all the Elves in [[Beleriand]]. Melian was the only known [[Ainur|Ainu]] who coupled with one of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], and she begot a child, [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]], who was the fairest of the Children to have ever lived. She married the Man [[Beren|Beren Erchamion]], and as a result, Melian's Maian blood was passed on to both [[Elves]] and [[Men]].
 
Forseeing that war was coming to Beleriand, Melian warned her husband Thingol. In turn, Thingol ordered the delving of a strong fortress in their kingdom. This was [[Menegroth]], the Thousand Caves, and they were aided by the Dwarves. With the return of Morgoth and the flight of Ungoliant from his Balrogs, the dark spider tried to enter into Thingol's domain, but Melian alone repelled Ungoliant and drove her away.


== History ==
When war with the Great Enemy, [[Morgoth]], came to their land, she used her powers to guard and defend it with a protection called ''List Melian'', or "the [[Girdle of Melian]]" and their kingdom was known as [[Doriath]], the Land of the Fence. This prevented anyone less powerful than Melian from entering the kingdom. However, with the foresight of a Maia, she predicted that one day someone more powerful would be able to enter. When Beren arrived as foretold, she counseled King Thingol against sending Beren to search for a [[Silmaril]], which would eventually lead to Doriath's ruin. This was one of many instances in which she proved, through her wisdom and powers of foresight, to be wiser than her husband, and an effective queen of her land. The great evil wolf [[Carcharoth]] also passed the Girdle, as the power of the Silmaril let him.  
In [[Valinor]], '''Melian''' dwelt in the gardens of [[Lórien in Valinor|Lórien]], she was akin to [[Yavanna]] the Valar. Melian journeyed often to [[Middle-earth]] for she loved the deep shadows of trees and forests. There, in the woods of [[Nan Elmoth]], she came upon [[Elwë Singollo]] (later known as [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]]) as he marched into the [[Aman|West]] with the people of the [[Teleri]]. Elwe was entranced and fell into a swoon at the sight of the Maia Melian and the two of them stood hand in hand unable to move or speak for years while the trees grew around them. As a result of his absence, a portion of his followers stayed behind to search for him, while the rest continued on to Valinor. Melian and Thingol soon founded the kingdom of [[Doriath]] in Middle-earth and ruled as King & Queen. Their only daughter, [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]], married the man [[Beren|Beren Erchamion]], and as a result, Melian's Maian blood was passed on to both [[Elves]] and [[Men]].


When war with the Great Enemy, [[Morgoth]], came to Doriath, she used her powers to guard and defend it with a protection called ''List Melian'', or "the Girdle of Melian". This prevented anyone less powerful than Melian from entering the kingdom. However, with the foresight of a Maia, she predicted that one day someone more powerful would be able to enter. When Beren arrived as foretold, she counseled King Thingol against sending Beren to search for a [[Silmaril]], which would eventually lead to Doriath's ruin. This was one of many instances in which she proved, through her wisdom and powers of foresight, to be wiser than her husband, and an effective queen of her land. The great evil wolf [[Carcharoth]] also passed the Girdle. In Doriath she also became a friend and tutor of [[Galadriel]] to whom she taught the art of lembas-baking. After the departure of Lúthien and Beren, she aided Túrin and his mother and sister. She provided [[Beleg]] with some way-bread, [[lembas]], and foresaw his doom in his quest for [[Túrin]]. When [[Húrin]] returned, she was the one to lift the spell of Morgoth from him.
In Doriath she also became a friend and tutor of [[Galadriel]] to whom she taught the art of [[lembas]]-baking which she knew from her mistress, Yavanna. She eventually questioned Galadriel on how and why the Noldor had returned, upon which Galadriel told her only some of the story. Therefore she was the first to glean the truth, perceiving more than Galadriel was willing to tell, and she warned Thingol against dealing with the sons of Fëanor. After the departure of Lúthien and Beren, she aided [[Túrin]] and his mother and sister. She provided [[Beleg]] with some way-bread, [[lembas]], for him and the exiled Túrin, showing great favor because never before was lembas given to a Man and seldom was it again. But she also foresaw his doom in his quest for Túrin. When [[Húrin]] returned, she was the one to lift the spell of Morgoth from him.


After Thingol's death, she vanished from [[Middle-earth]], passing to Valinor, where she mourned the loss of her husband in the [[Halls of Mandos]] and her daughter to the unknown fate of [[Men|mannish]] death. Melian and Thingol were a unique couple, the only case where an [[Ainur|Ainu]] married any Elf or Man. She was also the only Ainu known to have had children in the "official" drafts of Tolkien's work.
Thingol's arrogance eventually resulted to his death in the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]]. Melian then vanished from the mortal lands, passing to Valinor, where she mourned the loss of her husband in the [[Halls of Mandos]] and her daughter to the unknown fate of the [[Gift of Men]]. In her absence Doriath was opened to its enemies.


===Etymology===
==Etymology==
'''Melian''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈmeljan]}}) in [[Sindarin]] means ''Dear gift''. Her [[Quenya]] name was '''[[Melyanna]]''' (pron. {{IPA|[meˈʎanːa]}}; from ''mel,'' "love" and ''anna,'' "gift"). She was also called ''[[Tóril]]'' meaning "Queen".
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Melian.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{pronounce|Quenya - Melyanna.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
'''Melian''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈmeljan]}}) in [[Sindarin]] means ''Dear gift''. Her [[Quenya]] name was '''Melyanna''' (pron. {{IPA|[meˈʎanːa]}}; from ''mel,'' "love" and ''anna,'' "gift").<ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''mel-''</ref> She was also called ''[[Tóril]]'' meaning "Queen".


== Other Versions ==
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In the early [[legendarium]] Melian is defined as a fay, making her somewhat more sinister than in her later appearance. This version of her is presented in '''The Tale of Tinúviel''', Tolkien's first story of Beren and Lúthien, which was written in archaic english and published in the second part of the ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part 2|The Book of Lost Tales]]''. In this work she appears in another later narrative, although her character is portrayed as being far weaker and more frail Melian's final manifestation.
In the early [[legendarium]] Melian is defined as a fay, making her somewhat more sinister than in her later appearance. This version of her is presented in '''The Tale of Tinúviel''', Tolkien's first story of Beren and Lúthien, which was written in archaic english and published in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''. In this work she appears in another later narrative, although her character is portrayed as being far weaker and more frail than Melian's final manifestation. She also appeared under several names, such as '''Gwenniel'''.


== Genealogy ==
==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | |ELU|y|MEL| |BEO| | | |ELU=[[Thingol|Elu Thingol]]|MEL='''MELIAN'''|BEO=[[House of Bëor]]}}
{{familytree | |ELU|y|MEL| |BEO| | | |ELU=[[Thingol|Elu Thingol]]|MEL='''MELIAN'''|BEO=[[House of Bëor]]}}
Line 35: Line 63:
{{familytree | | | |LUT|~|y|~|BER| | | |LUT=[[Lúthien]]|BER=[[Beren]]}}
{{familytree | | | |LUT|~|y|~|BER| | | |LUT=[[Lúthien]]|BER=[[Beren]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | |DIO|y|NIM| | |DIO=[[Dior Eluchíl]]|NIM=[[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | | |DIO|y|NIM| | |DIO=[[Dior|Dior Eluchíl]]|NIM=[[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree |EAR|y|ELW| |ELD| |ELN|EAR=[[Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]|ELD=[[Eluréd]]|ELN=[[Elurín]]}}
{{familytree |EAR|y|ELW| |ELD| |ELN|EAR=[[Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]|ELD=[[Eluréd]]|ELN=[[Elurín]]}}
Line 41: Line 69:
{{familytree |ERD| |ERS| | | | | | | | |ERD=[[Elrond]]|ERS=[[Elros]]}}
{{familytree |ERD| |ERS| | | | | | | | |ERD=[[Elrond]]|ERS=[[Elros]]}}
{{familytree/end}}
{{familytree/end}}
== See Also ==
 
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Melian|Images of Melian]].
* [[:Category:Images of Melian|Images of Melian]].
{{ainur}}
 
==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/10/10/how-could-melian-have-children-if-the-valar-could-not/ How Could Melian have Children if the Valar Could Not?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
 
{{references}}
{{references}}
{{Ainur}}
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]]
 
[[de:Melian]]
[[de:Melian]]
[[fi:Melian]]
[[fi:Melian]]

Revision as of 07:45, 1 March 2020

"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
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Melian
Maia
Elena Kukanova - The Light of Valinor.jpg
"The Light of Valinor" by Elena Kukanova
Biographical Information
TitlesQueen of Doriath
LocationDoriath
AffiliationVána and Estë
Notable forGirdle of Melian
Family
SpouseThingol
ChildrenLúthien
Physical Description
GenderFemale
Hair colorDark
ClothingRed
GalleryImages of Melian

Melian the Maia was the wife of Elu Thingol, mother of Lúthien, and Queen of Doriath.

Attributes

Melian served Vána and Estë. She was said to be akin to Yavanna the Valië. She is associated with songbirds, and it is said she taught nightingales how to sing. In Valinor, she dwelt in the gardens of Lórien tending its trees; the song of nightingales followed her paces. However she journeyed often to Middle-earth for she loved the deep shadows of trees and forests.[1][2]

History

Elena Kukanova - Nan Elmoth - Elwe and Melian

Back in the time of the Great March when the Eldar marched into the West, in the woods of Nan Elmoth, Melian came upon Elwë Singollo of the people of the Teleri. Elwe was entranced and fell into a swoon at the sight of the Maia Melian and the two of them stood hand in hand unable to move or speak for years while the trees grew around them. As a result of his absence, a portion of his followers stayed behind to search for him, while the rest continued on to Valinor.

Melian and Thingol recovered and gathered the Elves who stayed behind to look for Elwe, who were named Eglath. They founded the kingdom of Eglador in and ruled as King and Queen of all the Elves in Beleriand. Melian was the only known Ainu who coupled with one of the Children of Ilúvatar, and she begot a child, Lúthien Tinúviel, who was the fairest of the Children to have ever lived. She married the Man Beren Erchamion, and as a result, Melian's Maian blood was passed on to both Elves and Men.

Forseeing that war was coming to Beleriand, Melian warned her husband Thingol. In turn, Thingol ordered the delving of a strong fortress in their kingdom. This was Menegroth, the Thousand Caves, and they were aided by the Dwarves. With the return of Morgoth and the flight of Ungoliant from his Balrogs, the dark spider tried to enter into Thingol's domain, but Melian alone repelled Ungoliant and drove her away.

When war with the Great Enemy, Morgoth, came to their land, she used her powers to guard and defend it with a protection called List Melian, or "the Girdle of Melian" and their kingdom was known as Doriath, the Land of the Fence. This prevented anyone less powerful than Melian from entering the kingdom. However, with the foresight of a Maia, she predicted that one day someone more powerful would be able to enter. When Beren arrived as foretold, she counseled King Thingol against sending Beren to search for a Silmaril, which would eventually lead to Doriath's ruin. This was one of many instances in which she proved, through her wisdom and powers of foresight, to be wiser than her husband, and an effective queen of her land. The great evil wolf Carcharoth also passed the Girdle, as the power of the Silmaril let him.

In Doriath she also became a friend and tutor of Galadriel to whom she taught the art of lembas-baking which she knew from her mistress, Yavanna. She eventually questioned Galadriel on how and why the Noldor had returned, upon which Galadriel told her only some of the story. Therefore she was the first to glean the truth, perceiving more than Galadriel was willing to tell, and she warned Thingol against dealing with the sons of Fëanor. After the departure of Lúthien and Beren, she aided Túrin and his mother and sister. She provided Beleg with some way-bread, lembas, for him and the exiled Túrin, showing great favor because never before was lembas given to a Man and seldom was it again. But she also foresaw his doom in his quest for Túrin. When Húrin returned, she was the one to lift the spell of Morgoth from him.

Thingol's arrogance eventually resulted to his death in the Battle of the Thousand Caves. Melian then vanished from the mortal lands, passing to Valinor, where she mourned the loss of her husband in the Halls of Mandos and her daughter to the unknown fate of the Gift of Men. In her absence Doriath was opened to its enemies.

Etymology

Melian (pron. [ˈmeljan]) in Sindarin means Dear gift. Her Quenya name was Melyanna (pron. [meˈʎanːa]; from mel, "love" and anna, "gift").[3] She was also called Tóril meaning "Queen".

Other versions of the legendarium

In the early legendarium Melian is defined as a fay, making her somewhat more sinister than in her later appearance. This version of her is presented in The Tale of Tinúviel, Tolkien's first story of Beren and Lúthien, which was written in archaic english and published in The Book of Lost Tales Part Two. In this work she appears in another later narrative, although her character is portrayed as being far weaker and more frail than Melian's final manifestation. She also appeared under several names, such as Gwenniel.

Genealogy

 
Elu Thingol
 
MELIAN
 
House of Bëor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lúthien
 
 
 
Beren
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dior Eluchíl
 
Nimloth
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eärendil
 
Elwing
 
Eluréd
 
Elurín
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elrond
 
Elros
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


See also

External links

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