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{{sources}}
{{valar infobox
{{valar infobox
| image=[[File:Tania Weil - Nienna, The Mourning Vala.png|250px]]
| name=Nienna
| name=Nienna
| image=[[File:Aerankai - Nienna.png|250px]]
| caption="Nienna" by [[:Category:Images by Aerankai|Aerankai]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=Nyenna, Heskil, Núri, Qalmë-Tári, Fui
| othernames=
| titles=
| titles=
| position=Lady of pity and mourning
| position=Lady of pity and mourning
| location=Western Border of the World
| location=[[Halls of Nienna]]
| affiliation=Close to [[Olórin]]
| affiliation=Close to [[Olórin]]
| language=
| language=
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| hair=
| hair=
| eyes=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| clothing=Grey hood
| weapons=
| weapons=
| steed=
| steed=
}}
}}
'''Nienna''' was a Queen of the [[Valar]], the sister of [[Mandos]] and [[Irmo]]. She ranked as one of the eight [[Aratar]], the most powerful of the Valar. Nienna dwelt alone on the western borders of the World.  
{{Quote|Mightier than [[Estë]] is Nienna, sister of the [[Fëanturi]]; she dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that [[Arda]] has suffered in the marring of [[Melkor]].|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Valaquenta]]: Of the Valar"}}
 
'''Nienna''' was a Queen of the [[Valar]], the sister of [[Mandos]] and [[Irmo]], acquainted with grief and sorrow but also pity and courage.
 
==Attributes==
The sister of the [[Fëanturi]], she is ranked as one of the eight [[Aratar]], the most powerful of the Valar. Her element is grief and she is ever mourning for the wounds of the world by evil. Those who listen to her learn wisdom and endurance in grief.<ref name=SIIb>{{S|IIb}}</ref>
 
Her [[Halls of Nienna|halls]] are in the distant west, close to the [[Halls of Mandos]], but on the western borders of the World, and her windows look outward from the [[Walls of the World]]. She dwells alone and rarely travels to the joyful city of [[Valmar]]. She goes more often to the halls of her brother [[Mandos]] to comfort and counsel those in the [[Halls of Waiting]] who cry to her.<ref name=SIIb/>
 
All that is known about her appearance is that she wears a grey hood.<ref name=S9>{{S|9}}: "cast back her grey hood"</ref>


==History==
==History==
Grief and mourning were Nienna's province; in her halls in the distant west, she wept for the suffering of [[Arda]]. Her part in the [[Music of the Ainur]] was one of deep sadness, and from this grief entered the world in its beginning.
Her part in the [[Music of the Ainur]] was one of deep sadness, and from this grief entered the world in its beginning.<ref name=SIIb/>


She taught pity, wisdom and endurance in grief; though she rarely travelled to the joyful city of [[Valmar]], she went more often to the halls of her brother [[Mandos]] to comfort and counsel those in the [[Halls of Mandos|Halls of Waiting]]. The [[Maiar|Maia]] [[Gandalf#Names|Olórin]], who was later to travel to [[Middle-earth]] as [[Gandalf]], learned much from her.
The [[Maiar|Maia]] [[Gandalf#Names|Olórin]], who was later to travel to [[Middle-earth]] as [[Gandalf]], learned much from her.<ref>{{S|IIc}}</ref>


Nienna played a part in the making of the [[Two Trees of Valinor]]; she wept on the mound of [[Ezellohar]], watering it with her tears. After the destruction of the Trees by [[Morgoth|Melkor]], she once again wept on their wounded remains, cleansing the filth of [[Ungoliant]], and helping to bring forth the last fruit and flower that were to become the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]].
Nienna played a part in the making of the [[Two Trees of Valinor]]; she wept on the mound of [[Ezellohar]], watering it with her tears.<ref>{{S|1}}</ref> After the destruction of the Trees by [[Morgoth|Melkor]], she once again wept on their wounded remains, cleansing the filth of [[Ungoliant]], and helping to bring forth the last fruit and flower that were to become the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]].<ref name=S9/>


The pity of Nienna is most clearly seen in her support for Melkor when he sued for the pardon of the Valar. Though she spent her time in the world mourning for the destruction he has wreaked in Arda, when he sued for release after his three ages of Captivity, Nienna spoke on his part.
The pity of Nienna is most clearly seen in her support for Melkor when he sued for the pardon of the Valar. Though she spent her time in the world mourning for the destruction he wrought in Arda, when he sued for release after his three ages of Captivity, Nienna spoke on his part.<ref>{{S|6}}</ref>


Of Nienna's appearance we have almost no knowledge. The only hint is in the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', where she "cast back her grey hood".<ref>{{S|9}}</ref>
==Etymology==
''Nienna'' is a [[Quenya]] name which contains the word ''nie'' ("tear").<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "NEI"</ref>


==Names==
==Genealogy==
''Nienna'' is a [[Quenya]] name meaning "She Who Weeps" (pronounced {{IPA|[niˈenːa]}}). Her other recorded names were:
{{familytree/start}}
*'''''Nyenna''''' {{IPA|[ˈɲenːa]}}{{fact}}
{{familytree| | | | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | | | | |}}
*Nienna is also called '''''Fui''''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Night", {{IPA|[fuɪ]}}), though this is more correctly the name of her dwelling.
{{familytree| VAI |~| MAN | | NIE | | IRM |~| EST | |VAI=[[Vairë]]|MAN=[[Mandos]]|NIE='''NIENNA'''|IRM=[[Irmo]]|EST=[[Estë]]}}
{{familytree/end}}


==Other versions of the legendarium==
==Other versions of the legendarium==
In [[The Annals of Aman]], Nienna is referred to as the sister of [[Manwë]] and [[Morgoth|Melkor]].
In ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', some early names of Nienna were:
 
*'''''Nyenna''''' <ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}</ref>
In the ''[[The Book of Lost Tales (disambiguation)|Book of Lost Tales]]'', other names of Nienna recorded were:
*'''''Fui''''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Night"), though this is more correctly the name of [[Halls of Nienna#Other versions of the legendarium|her dwelling]].
 
*'''''Heskil''''' ([[Qenya]]: "Winter One")<ref name=LT1/>
*'''''Heskil''''' ([[Qenya]]: "Winter One", {{IPA|[ˈheskil]}})<ref name=LT1/>
*'''''Núri''''' ([[Qenya]]: "Sighing One")<ref name=LT1/>
*'''''Núri''''' ([[Qenya]]: "Sighing One", {{IPA|[ˈnuːri]}})<ref name=LT1/>
*'''''Qalmë-Tári''''' ([[Qenya]]: "Mistress of Death")<ref name=LT1>{{LT1|III}}, p. 66</ref>
*'''''Qalmë-Tári''''' ([[Qenya]]: "Mistress of Death", {{IPA|[ˌkʷalmeˈtaːri]}})<ref name=LT1>{{LT1|III}}, p. 66</ref>


==See also==
The importance of Nienna increased along the development of the Legendarium, and even in ''[[The Annals of Aman]]'', she is referred to as the sister of [[Manwë]] and [[Melkor]].<ref>{{AA|3}}</ref>
* [[:Category:Images of Nienna|Images of Nienna]]


{{References}}
{{References}}
{{Ainur}}
{{Ainur}}
 
[[Category:Aratar]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Valar]]
[[Category:Valar]]

Latest revision as of 02:51, 22 October 2022

Nienna
Vala
Aerankai - Nienna.png
"Nienna" by Aerankai
Biographical Information
PositionLady of pity and mourning
LocationHalls of Nienna
AffiliationClose to Olórin
Family
SiblingsMandos, Irmo
Physical Description
GenderFemale
ClothingGrey hood
GalleryImages of Nienna
"Mightier than Estë is Nienna, sister of the Fëanturi; she dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered in the marring of Melkor."
The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Valar"

Nienna was a Queen of the Valar, the sister of Mandos and Irmo, acquainted with grief and sorrow but also pity and courage.

Attributes[edit | edit source]

The sister of the Fëanturi, she is ranked as one of the eight Aratar, the most powerful of the Valar. Her element is grief and she is ever mourning for the wounds of the world by evil. Those who listen to her learn wisdom and endurance in grief.[1]

Her halls are in the distant west, close to the Halls of Mandos, but on the western borders of the World, and her windows look outward from the Walls of the World. She dwells alone and rarely travels to the joyful city of Valmar. She goes more often to the halls of her brother Mandos to comfort and counsel those in the Halls of Waiting who cry to her.[1]

All that is known about her appearance is that she wears a grey hood.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

Her part in the Music of the Ainur was one of deep sadness, and from this grief entered the world in its beginning.[1]

The Maia Olórin, who was later to travel to Middle-earth as Gandalf, learned much from her.[3]

Nienna played a part in the making of the Two Trees of Valinor; she wept on the mound of Ezellohar, watering it with her tears.[4] After the destruction of the Trees by Melkor, she once again wept on their wounded remains, cleansing the filth of Ungoliant, and helping to bring forth the last fruit and flower that were to become the Sun and the Moon.[2]

The pity of Nienna is most clearly seen in her support for Melkor when he sued for the pardon of the Valar. Though she spent her time in the world mourning for the destruction he wrought in Arda, when he sued for release after his three ages of Captivity, Nienna spoke on his part.[5]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Nienna is a Quenya name which contains the word nie ("tear").[6]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vairë
 
Mandos
 
NIENNA
 
Irmo
 
Estë
 
 
 


Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In The Book of Lost Tales, some early names of Nienna were:

The importance of Nienna increased along the development of the Legendarium, and even in The Annals of Aman, she is referred to as the sister of Manwë and Melkor.[9]

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