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{{disambig-more|White Tree|[[White Tree (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-more|White Tree|[[White Tree (disambiguation)]]}}
'''Telperion''' ([[Quenya|Q]] pron. {{IPA|[telˈperi.on]}}) was the elder of the [[Two Trees of Valinor]], called the '''White Tree''', which shed silver light on the domain of the [[Valar]]. His leaves were of dark green, shining silver beneath, and his boughs were decked with brilliant flowers that shed a rain of silver dew, which was collected as a source of water and of light.<ref name=Days>{{S|Days}}</ref>
{{object infobox
| name=Telperion
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Telperion.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Telperion" by [[:Category:Images by Ralph Damiani|Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun={{respell|tel|pair|ee-on}}
| othernames=''Ibrīniðilpathānezel'' ([[Valarin|V]])
| location=[[Ezellohar]]
| owner=
| type=Tree/source of light
| appearance=Leaves of dark green, shining silver beneath; boughs decked with brilliant flowers that shed a rain of silver dew
| creator=[[Yavanna]]
| created=V.Y. 3450–3500
| createdlocation=
| destroyer=[[Morgoth|Melkor]] and [[Ungoliant]]
| destroyed={{YT|1495}}
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=
}}
'''Telperion''' was the elder of the [[Two Trees of Valinor]], called the '''White Tree''', which shed silver light on the domain of the [[Valar]]. His leaves were of dark green, shining silver beneath, and his boughs were decked with brilliant flowers that shed a rain of silver dew, which was collected as a source of water and of light.<ref name=Days>{{S|Days}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Telperion was the elder of the Two Trees, and bloomed during the first part of the Valian day, followed by Laurelin. It endured throughout the [[Years of the Trees]], but came to an end in the dreadful [[Darkening of Valinor]].  
Telperion was the elder of the Two Trees, and bloomed during the first part of the Valian day, followed by [[Laurelin]]. It endured throughout the [[Years of the Trees]], but came to an end in the dreadful [[Darkening of Valinor]].  


However one of Telperion's flowers survived the Darkening, and was set aloft by the Valar; this was the light of the [[Moon]], carried by [[Tilion]] the [[Maia]].<ref>{{S|11}}</ref>
However one of Telperion's flowers survived the Darkening, and was set aloft by the Valar; this was the light of the [[Moon]], carried by [[Tilion]] the [[Maia]].<ref>{{S|11}}</ref>
In the [[First Age]], [[Turgon]] made images of the Two Trees that stood in his court of [[Gondolin]], and the one made in memory of Telperion was [[Belthil]].<ref>{{S|15}}</ref>


===Telperion's descendants===
===Telperion's descendants===
Even though the elder tree did not survive, he was not the last of the White Trees. Because the Elves that first came to Valinor especially loved Telperion, Yavanna made a second tree like it to stand in the city of [[Tirion]] where the [[Vanyar]] and [[Noldor]] dwelt together at first. This tree, named ''[[Galathilion]]'', was identical to Telperion except that it gave no light of its own. It had many seedlings, one of which was [[Celeborn (White Tree)|Celeborn]] on the isle of [[Tol Eressëa]].<ref>{{S|5}}</ref>
Even though the elder tree did not survive, he was not the last of the White Trees. Because the Elves that first came to Valinor especially loved Telperion, Yavanna made a second tree like it to stand in the city of [[Tirion]] where the [[Vanyar]] and [[Noldor]] dwelt together at first. This tree, named ''[[Galathilion]]'', was identical to Telperion except that it gave no light of its own. It had many seedlings, one of which was [[Celeborn (White Tree)|Celeborn]] on the isle of [[Tol Eressëa]].<ref>{{S|5}}</ref>


In the [[Second Age]], a seedling of Celeborn was brought as a gift to the [[Númenoreans]] — that was [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]], the White Tree of [[Númenor]]. It lasted through the vast majority of the realm's duration, but when [[Sauron]] took control of the island he had king [[Ar-Pharazôn]] chop it down.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>
In the [[Second Age]], a seedling of Celeborn was brought as a gift to the [[Númenoreans]] — that was [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]], the White Tree of [[Númenor]]. It lasted through the vast majority of the realm's duration, but when [[Sauron]] took control of the island he had king [[Ar-Pharazôn]] chop it down. Fortunately, [[Isildur]] managed to save a single fruit of that tree. Of this fruit later came the [[White Tree of Gondor]].<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>
 
Fortunately [[Isildur]] managed to save a single fruit of that tree. Of this fruit later came the [[White Tree of Gondor]].


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
''Telperion'' comes from ''[[telepi]]'' "silver". The exact etymology of the ending ''-rion'' is not entirely clear, but it can mean something like "great wreathed one" (Cf. ''[[ría]], [[rielle]]'').
''Telperion'' comes from the root ''[[telepi]]''/''[[telpë]]'' ("silver").<ref>{{S|Appendix}} ''celeb-''</ref> The exact etymology of the ending ''-rion'' is not entirely clear, but it can mean something like "great wreathed one" (Cf. ''[[ría]], [[rielle]]'').{{fact}} Latter elements may include ''[[rî]]'' ("garland, wreath"),<ref>{{S|Appendix}}kal-</ref> and/or ''ere'' ("the one" or "first")<ref>https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-3983103205.html</ref><ref>https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-3981134445.html</ref> along with the suffix ''-on'' or ''-ion'', which may be a genitive, intensifier (i.e. "great"),<ref>http://www.quicksilver899.com/Tolkien/SILM/SILM_OY.html</ref> or patronymic suffix ("son of").  


The [[Quenya]] form was actually ''Tyelperion'' but Quenya adopted ''[[telpë]]'' from [[Telerin]].<ref>{{UT|6e}}</ref>
The [[Quenya]] form was actually ''Tyelperion'' but Quenya adopted ''[[telpë]]'' from [[Telerin]].<ref>{{UT|6e}}, p. 266</ref>


==Names==
==Names==
Another [[Quenya]] name for Telperion was '''Silpion'''<ref>{{MR|P2c}}, p. 59 (commentary to §5)</ref>. The exact meaning of this name is unclear, but it is derived from the root '''[[SIL]]''' "shine (with white or silver light)"<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, '''sil-'''</ref> or from the extended root '''[[SILIP]]'''<ref name="SILIP">{{LR|Etymologies}}, '''SIL'''</ref>. It was sometimes glossed the "White Tree of Valinor"<ref name="SILIP">{{LR|Etymologies}}, '''SIL'''</ref>, so "White Tree" is the best available translation.
Another [[Quenya]] name for Telperion was '''''Silpion'''''.<ref>{{MR|P2c}}, p. 59 (commentary to §5)</ref> It is derived from the root [[SIL]] (shine (with white or silver light))"<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''sil-''</ref> or from the extended root [[SILIP]],<ref name="SILIP">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "SIL"</ref> and the suffix ''-ion''.<ref>https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-4167656007.html?neo</ref> It was sometimes glossed the "White Tree of Valinor",<ref name="SILIP">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "SIL"</ref> or simply the "White Tree".


'''''Ninquelótë''''' was a [[Quenya]] title of Telperion.<ref name=Days/> ''Ninquelótë'' means "White Flower" or (perhaps more likely in this context) "White Blossom". The [[Sindarin]] equivalent of this Quenya name was [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]], and indeed that name was inherited by the White Tree that grew in the [[King's Court]] of [[Númenor]].
'''''Ninquelótë''''' was a [[Quenya]] title of Telperion.<ref name=Days/> ''Ninquelótë'' means "White Flower" or (perhaps more likely in this context) "White Blossom". The [[Sindarin]] equivalent of this Quenya name was ''[[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]]'', and indeed that name was inherited by the White Tree that grew in the [[King's Court]] of [[Númenor]].


'''''Ibrīniðilpathānezel''''' was the name in [[Valarin]] of Telperion.<ref>{{WJ|AD1}}, p. 401</ref>
'''''Ibrīniðilpathānezel''''' was the name in [[Valarin]] of Telperion.<ref>{{WJ|AD1}}, p. 401</ref>


In early writings of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] Telperion's names were '''''Silpion''''', '''''Bansil''''' and '''''Belthil'''''.<ref>{{HM|HM}}</ref>
In early writings of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] Telperion's names were '''''Silpion''''', '''''Bansil''''' and '''''Belthil'''''.{{fact}}


==Genealogy==
==Genealogy==

Revision as of 02:01, 3 July 2020

The name White Tree refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see White Tree (disambiguation).
Telperion
Tree/source of light
Ralph Damiani - Telperion.jpg
"Telperion" by Ralph Damiani
Pronunciationtel-pair-ee-on
Other namesIbrīniðilpathānezel (V)
LocationEzellohar
AppearanceLeaves of dark green, shining silver beneath; boughs decked with brilliant flowers that shed a rain of silver dew
CreatorYavanna
V.Y. 3450–3500
DestroyerMelkor and Ungoliant
Y.T. 1495
GalleryImages of Telperion

Telperion was the elder of the Two Trees of Valinor, called the White Tree, which shed silver light on the domain of the Valar. His leaves were of dark green, shining silver beneath, and his boughs were decked with brilliant flowers that shed a rain of silver dew, which was collected as a source of water and of light.[1]

History

Telperion was the elder of the Two Trees, and bloomed during the first part of the Valian day, followed by Laurelin. It endured throughout the Years of the Trees, but came to an end in the dreadful Darkening of Valinor.

However one of Telperion's flowers survived the Darkening, and was set aloft by the Valar; this was the light of the Moon, carried by Tilion the Maia.[2]

In the First Age, Turgon made images of the Two Trees that stood in his court of Gondolin, and the one made in memory of Telperion was Belthil.[3]

Telperion's descendants

Even though the elder tree did not survive, he was not the last of the White Trees. Because the Elves that first came to Valinor especially loved Telperion, Yavanna made a second tree like it to stand in the city of Tirion where the Vanyar and Noldor dwelt together at first. This tree, named Galathilion, was identical to Telperion except that it gave no light of its own. It had many seedlings, one of which was Celeborn on the isle of Tol Eressëa.[4]

In the Second Age, a seedling of Celeborn was brought as a gift to the Númenoreans — that was Nimloth, the White Tree of Númenor. It lasted through the vast majority of the realm's duration, but when Sauron took control of the island he had king Ar-Pharazôn chop it down. Fortunately, Isildur managed to save a single fruit of that tree. Of this fruit later came the White Tree of Gondor.[5]

Etymology

Telperion comes from the root telepi/telpë ("silver").[6] The exact etymology of the ending -rion is not entirely clear, but it can mean something like "great wreathed one" (Cf. ría, rielle).[source?] Latter elements may include ("garland, wreath"),[7] and/or ere ("the one" or "first")[8][9] along with the suffix -on or -ion, which may be a genitive, intensifier (i.e. "great"),[10] or patronymic suffix ("son of").

The Quenya form was actually Tyelperion but Quenya adopted telpë from Telerin.[11]

Names

Another Quenya name for Telperion was Silpion.[12] It is derived from the root SIL (shine (with white or silver light))"[13] or from the extended root SILIP,[14] and the suffix -ion.[15] It was sometimes glossed the "White Tree of Valinor",[14] or simply the "White Tree".

Ninquelótë was a Quenya title of Telperion.[1] Ninquelótë means "White Flower" or (perhaps more likely in this context) "White Blossom". The Sindarin equivalent of this Quenya name was Nimloth, and indeed that name was inherited by the White Tree that grew in the King's Court of Númenor.

Ibrīniðilpathānezel was the name in Valarin of Telperion.[16]

In early writings of Tolkien Telperion's names were Silpion, Bansil and Belthil.[source?]

Genealogy

Telperion
Destroyed Y.T. 1495
 
 
 
 
Galathilion
Made in the image of Telperion
 
 
 
 
 
Celeborn
 
 
 
 
 
Nimloth
Destroyed after S.A. 3262
 
 
 
 
 
First tree of Gondor
c. S.A. 3320 -S.A. 3429
 
 
 
 
 
Second tree of Gondor
T.A. 2 - T.A. 1636
 
 
 
 
 
Third tree of Gondor
T.A. 1640 - T.A. 2852
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth tree of Gondor
15 June T.A. 3019 - unknown


See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Noldor in Beleriand"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names" celeb-
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names"kal-
  8. https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-3983103205.html
  9. https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-3981134445.html
  10. http://www.quicksilver899.com/Tolkien/SILM/SILM_OY.html
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix E: The Names of Celeborn and Galadriel", p. 266
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Commentary on the first section of the Annals of Aman", p. 59 (commentary to §5)
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", sil-
  14. 14.0 14.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entry "SIL"
  15. https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-4167656007.html?neo
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", p. 401