Elemmírë

From Tolkien Gateway
This article is about the planet. For the Vanyarin elf, see Elemmírë (Elf).

Elemmírë was one of the lights kindled by Varda far in the past, to welcome the Elves to Arda on their awakening. It is described in Quenta Silmarillion as a star, but in fact it was most likely identified with one of the planets.[1]

It is given as the name of a Vanyar Elf who composed the Aldudénië (the Lament for the Two Trees).[2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Elemmírë means "star-jewel". It's a compound from elen and mírë. The letters n+m from both words are assimilated to long mm

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

Tolkien's notes on the subject are open to interpretation, but they appear to identify Elemmírë as the planet we know today as Mercury.[3]

References

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