Menelvagor: Difference between revisions

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==History==
==History==
The constellation '''Menelmacar''', the '''Swordsman of the Sky''',<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref> is one of the [[constellations]] set in the heavens by [[Varda]] to enlighten the awakening of the [[Elves]]. It was gathered by Varda from among the ancient stars, set as a foreboding of the [[Last Battle]].<ref name="silm">{{S|3}}</ref>
[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and his companions were spending their night with the Elves in the woods of [[the Shire]]; the Elves burst into song as Menelvagor, the [[Swordsman of the Sky]], climbed in the sky, and started the time for dinner, speech and merriment.<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref>
[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and his companions were spending their night with the Elves in the woods of [[the Shire]]; the Elves burst into song as Menelvagor, the [[Swordsman of the Sky]], climbed in the sky, and started the time for dinner, speech and merriment.<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name is a direct calque of the constellation's [[Quenya]] name [[Menelmacar]], "Swordsman of the Sky".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}</ref> The elements of the [[Quenya]] name are: ''[[menel]]'', "the heavens" and ''macar'' "swordsman", therefore "Heaven-Swordsman".<ref>{{S|Elements}}</ref><ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 256</ref>
The name is a direct calque of the constellation's [[Quenya]] name [[Menelmacar]], "Swordsman of the Sky".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}</ref>
 
 
==Other names==
Menelmacar is called Menelmakil in a note by Tolkien to his essay [[Quendi and Eldar]] on the origin of the Elvish names for Elves. <ref>{{WJ|P4}}, pp. 359-424</ref> <!--The word ''makil'' is translated as sword, therefore, Menelmakil means "Heaven-Sword" (It is possible that it may be an error).
Telumehtar and Menelvagor are also listed as other names, meaning "Warrior of the Sky" and "Swordsman of the Sky" respectively.
Other name-forms and names: Menelmakar, see especially the article [[Telimektar]].-->(Note 15, WJ 411).
 
In [[The Etymologies]] (s.v. MAK-; LR 371) the word ''makil'' is translated as 'sword', whereas 'warrior' is ''mahtar'' ( > -''mehtar'' in ''Telumehtar''; -''makar'' in ''Menelmacar'' ). The spelling ''Menelmakil'' may be just an error.
 
'''Abbreviations:'''
LR = [[The Lost Road and Other Writings]] (The History of Middle-earth, vol. 5).
WJ = [[The War of the Jewels]] (The History of Middle-earth, vol. 11).
 
==Inspiration==
 
Menelmacar is identified as the constellation [[wikipedia:Orion (constellation)|Orion]].<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref>


==Other versions of the legendarium==
==Other versions of the legendarium==
The constellation entered into the story only in the latest phases of its composition. In earlier versions of the manuscript of'' [[The Lord of the Rings]]'' the Elves begun to sing as 'the yellow moon rose',<ref>{{HM|RS}} (p. 61)</ref> and in a later revision 'in the East the thin silver rind of the New Moon appeared'<ref>{{HM|RS}} (p. 325)</ref> due to Tolkien's calculations considering the phases of the Moon;<ref>{{HM|RS}} (cf. p. 434)</ref> still there was a fault: the Moon would not have risen from the East at that time of the year;<ref>{{HM|RS}} (p. 325)</ref> thus the Moon was finally changed to the apparition of Menelvagor and other [[stars]].
The constellation entered into the story only in the latest phases of its composition. In earlier versions of the manuscript of'' [[The Lord of the Rings]]'' the Elves begun to sing as 'the yellow moon rose',<ref>{{HM|RS}} (p. 61)</ref> and in a later revision 'in the East the thin silver rind of the New Moon appeared'<ref>{{HM|RS}} (p. 325)</ref> due to Tolkien's calculations considering the phases of the Moon;<ref>{{HM|RS}} (cf. p. 434)</ref> still there was a fault: the Moon would not have risen from the East at that time of the year;<ref>{{HM|RS}} (p. 325)</ref> thus the Moon was finally changed to the apparition of Menelvagor and other [[stars]].
{{Notes}}
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Constellations]]
[[Category:Constellations]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[de:Menelvagor]]
[[de:Menelvagor]]
[[de:Menelmacar]]
[[fr:/encyclo/geographie/astronomie/menelmacar]]
[[fi:Menelmacar]]
[[fi:Taivaan Miekkamies]]
[[fi:Menelvagor]]
[[fi:Menelvagor]]

Revision as of 09:41, 24 January 2022

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Menelvagor was the Sindarin name of the constellation Orion, called Menelmacar (q.v.) in Quenya.

History

Frodo and his companions were spending their night with the Elves in the woods of the Shire; the Elves burst into song as Menelvagor, the Swordsman of the Sky, climbed in the sky, and started the time for dinner, speech and merriment.[1]

Etymology

The name is a direct calque of the constellation's Quenya name Menelmacar, "Swordsman of the Sky".[2]

Other versions of the legendarium

The constellation entered into the story only in the latest phases of its composition. In earlier versions of the manuscript of The Lord of the Rings the Elves begun to sing as 'the yellow moon rose',[3] and in a later revision 'in the East the thin silver rind of the New Moon appeared'[4] due to Tolkien's calculations considering the phases of the Moon;[5] still there was a fault: the Moon would not have risen from the East at that time of the year;[6] thus the Moon was finally changed to the apparition of Menelvagor and other stars.

References