Borgil

From Tolkien Gateway

Borgil was a bright red star near the constellation of Menelvagor.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Borgil is a Sindarin name, composed of born "hot, red" and gil "star".[2]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

Tolkien fans have suggested that Borgil might either refer to the star Betelgeuse or the star Aldebaran.[3]

Basing her approach both on literary assumptions and astronomical evidences, Prof. Kristine Larsen has argued that Borgil can be identified as Aldebaran.[4]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Three is Company"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 347, (dated 17 December 1972)
  3. "Stars & Other Celestial Bodies", The Thain's Book (accessed 27 April 2013)
  4. Kristine Larsen, "A Definitive Identification of Tolkien’s `Borgil': An Astronomical and Literary Approach" in Tolkien Studies, vol. 2 (pp. 161–170), West Virginia University Press, 2005
Middle-earth Cosmology
 Constellations  Anarríma · Durin's Crown · Menelmacar · Remmirath · Soronúmë · Telumendil · Valacirca · Wilwarin
Stars  Alcarinquë · Borgil · Carnil · Elemmírë · Helluin · Luinil · Lumbar · Morwinyon · Nénar · Star of Eärendil · Til 
The Airs  Aiwenórë · Fanyamar · Ilmen · Menel · Vaiya · Veil of Arda · Vista
Narsilion  Arien · Moon (Isil, Ithil, Rána) · Sun (Anar, Anor, Vása) · Tilion
See also  Abyss · Arda · Circles of the World · · Timeless Halls · Two Lamps · Two Trees · Void