Tinfang Gelion

From Tolkien Gateway
Revision as of 15:10, 16 April 2008 by Ingwe (talk | contribs)

Tinfang Gelion is mentioned in the Lay of Leithian as being one of the greatest of the minstrels of the Elves, beside Maglor and next to Daeron.

"Tinfang Gelion who still the moon
enchants on summer nights of June
and kindles the pale firstling star...
"
Lay of Leithian Canto III

His name probably comes from an earlier poem Tolkien penned named Tinfang Warble, about a fairy-bird. The meaning of Tinfang is "star-beard" (from tinu "spark, little star" + fang "beard"; found in the Etymologies of The Lost Road). He apparently was one of those few elves who grew beards during the first age of their life. At least one other elf who grew a beard in the first age of their lives is mentioned - Mahtan, father of Nerdanel. Gelion can also be found in several other compounds.