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'''Menel''' was an [[Elvish]] name for the regions of air above [[Arda]], a name which is generally translated into English as "heaven" or "the heavens". Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies. Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including [[Meneltarma]] (the "Pillar of Heaven"), [[Meneldil]], [[Tar-Meneldur]], [[Armenelos]], and so on. | '''Menel''' was an [[Elvish]] name for the regions of air above [[Arda]], a name which is generally translated into English as "heaven" or "the heavens". Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies. Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including [[Meneltarma]] (the "Pillar of Heaven"), [[Meneldil]], [[Tar-Meneldur]], [[Armenelos]], and so on. | ||
The word is the same in [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]. In translating the word as "heaven" it should be noted that this does not have the connotation of Christian "Heaven" (''Paradise''). Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars. | The word is the same in [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]. In translating the word as "heaven" it should be noted that this does not have the connotation of Christian "Heaven" (''Paradise''). Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars. The word itself is a compound of ''men'' "direction, road" and ''[[elen|êl]]'', "star"<sup>1</sup>, meaning "the Direction of the Stars". | ||
In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', "menel" is used in the two [[Sindarin]] hymns to [[Elbereth]]. It appears first in a song in the Hall of Fire: "''o menel aglar elenath''" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven") ([[Many Meetings]]). Later, [[Sam]] uses it in his parallel invocation from [[Cirith Ungol]]: "''o menel palan-diriel''" ("from heaven gazing afar") ([[The Choices of Master Samwise]]). | In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', "menel" is used in the two [[Sindarin]] hymns to [[Elbereth]]. It appears first in a song in the Hall of Fire: "''o menel aglar elenath''" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven") ([[Many Meetings]]). Later, [[Sam]] uses it in his parallel invocation from [[Cirith Ungol]]: "''o menel palan-diriel''" ("from heaven gazing afar") ([[The Choices of Master Samwise]]). | ||
Though it is apparently a Quenya invention, it already existed in Avarin, and survived as such in [[Adûnaic]] ''minal''. | |||
==References== | |||
#[[The Road Goes Ever On (book)|The Road Goes Ever On]], page 72. | |||
[[Category: Sindarin words]] | [[Category: Sindarin words]] | ||
[[Category: Cosmology]] | [[Category: Cosmology]] | ||
Revision as of 13:40, 20 January 2008
Menel was an Elvish name for the regions of air above Arda, a name which is generally translated into English as "heaven" or "the heavens". Sometimes the word is simply synonymous with the sky, but in other uses it is meant as a more sublime reference to the domain of the stars and heavenly bodies. Menel is seen in numerous personal and place-names, including Meneltarma (the "Pillar of Heaven"), Meneldil, Tar-Meneldur, Armenelos, and so on.
The word is the same in Quenya and Sindarin. In translating the word as "heaven" it should be noted that this does not have the connotation of Christian "Heaven" (Paradise). Menel is a physical place, although arguably a sacred one as it is the location of the stars. The word itself is a compound of men "direction, road" and êl, "star"1, meaning "the Direction of the Stars".
In The Lord of the Rings, "menel" is used in the two Sindarin hymns to Elbereth. It appears first in a song in the Hall of Fire: "o menel aglar elenath" ("from the glories of the star-host of heaven") (Many Meetings). Later, Sam uses it in his parallel invocation from Cirith Ungol: "o menel palan-diriel" ("from heaven gazing afar") (The Choices of Master Samwise).
Though it is apparently a Quenya invention, it already existed in Avarin, and survived as such in Adûnaic minal.
References
- The Road Goes Ever On, page 72.
