Nerdanel

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Nerdanel
Noldo
Marya Filatova - Mahtan's daughter.jpg
"Mahtan's daughter" by Marya Filatova
Biographical Information
Other names"the Wise"
LocationTirion
AffiliationNot Oath of Fëanor
LanguageQuenya
Birthduring the Years of the Trees
Family
ParentageSarmo
SpouseFëanor
ChildrenMaedros
Maglor
Celegorm
Curufin
Caranthir
Amros
Amarthan
Physical Description
GenderFemale
Hair colorReddish brown
GalleryImages of Nerdanel
"Nerdanel also was firm of will, but more patient than Fëanor, desiring to understand minds rather than to master them, and at first she restrained him when the fire of his heart grew too hot; but his later deeds grieved her, and they became estranged. Seven sons she bore to Fëanor; her mood she bequeathed in part to some of them, but not to all."
The Silmarillion, Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor


Nerdanel (Q, pron. [ˈnerdanel]) was the daughter of the Noldorin smith Sarmo and the wife of Fëanor. Nerdanel was a noted sculptor. She is said to have made statues so lifelike that people thought them real.

History

Nerdanel bore Fëanor seven sons: Maedros, Maglor, Celegorm, Curufin, Caranthir, Amros, and Amarthan (see Sons of Fëanor). Nerdanel, unlike her husband, was of a peaceful nature and sought to moderate his fiery temper and pride with wisdom. For a time she was the only one able to influence him. Called "the Wise", Nerdanel refused to follow her husband to Middle-earth, and apparently still lives in Aman.[1]

Nerdanel's family is interesting as the only known Elves with red hair. Nerdanel's father Sarmo and three of her sons (Maedros, Amros, and Amarthan) are described as having reddish brown hair and this is described as a trait "of Nerdanel's kin". Nerdanel possessed a ruddy complexion and brown hair.[2]

Etymology

The name Nerdanel is given no clear meaning or etymology in the published writings of Tolkien. The original (rejected) version of her name was Istarnië.[3]

Editor and linguist Patrick H. Wynne has suggested that the element nerd- in Nerdanel perhaps derives from nerdo ("large, strong man"), noting that the name "might refer to her strength of body and mind, and her pursuits of crafts more commonly practiced by men." Wynne also suggests that Istarnië derives from Quenya ista- ("know"), apparently "referring to her 'desire for knowledge'".[4]

Genealogy

Sarmo
b. Y.T.
 
Míriel
d. Y.T. 1170
 
Finwë
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NERDANEL
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
Fëanor
Y.T. 1169 - 1497
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
Fingolfin
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Lalwen
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maedros
d. F.A. 587
 
Maglor
b. Y.T.
 
Celegorm
d. F.A. 507
 
Curufin
d. F.A. 507
 
Caranthir
d. F.A. 507
 
Amros
d. F.A. 538
 
Amarthan
d. Y.T. 1497
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Celebrimbor
d. S.A. 1697
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "From The Shibboleth of Fëanor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 41, July 2000, p. 9
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor", p. 273
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part One" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 47, February 2005, p. 33-4