Spirits: Difference between revisions
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{{disambig-more|Spirit|[[Spirit (disambiguation)]]}} | {{disambig-more|Spirit|[[Spirit (disambiguation)]]}} | ||
'''Spirits''' refers to beings whose nature in essence were of non-corporeality. | '''Spirits''' refers to beings whose nature in essence were of non-corporeality, and generally dwell in the [[Unseen]]. | ||
[[Ilúvatar]] creates spirits from nothing through the [[Flame Imperishable]].<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref> | |||
==Groups== | ==Groups== | ||
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[[Tom Bombadil]] was probably a "spirit" (of some sorts) of the earth.<ref name=coghill>Tolkien described Tom as "The spirit of the this earth made aware of itself": [[Letter to Nevill Coghill]] (Excerpt reproduced [http://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/tom-bombadil-addenda-corrigenda/ here]</ref> [[Goldberry]] and the [[River-woman]] would perhaps belong to such an order.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/Bombadil4Spirits.html|articlename=What is Tom Bombadil? Viable Theories: A Nature Spirit?|author=Steuard Jensen|website=[[Tolkien FAQ]]}}</ref> | [[Tom Bombadil]] was probably a "spirit" (of some sorts) of the earth.<ref name=coghill>Tolkien described Tom as "The spirit of the this earth made aware of itself": [[Letter to Nevill Coghill]] (Excerpt reproduced [http://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/tom-bombadil-addenda-corrigenda/ here]</ref> [[Goldberry]] and the [[River-woman]] would perhaps belong to such an order.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/Bombadil4Spirits.html|articlename=What is Tom Bombadil? Viable Theories: A Nature Spirit?|author=Steuard Jensen|website=[[Tolkien FAQ]]}}</ref> | ||
The ''[[fëar]]'' are the spirits (souls) that inhabit the bodies of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]; fëar also were sent to inhabit the [[Ents]].<ref name=L247>{{L|247}}</ref> [[Unbodied]] fëar, could be controlled by necromancy<ref>{{MR|P3II3c}}, p. 224</ref> (See also: [[undead]]). | The ''[[fëar]]'' are the spirits (souls) that inhabit the bodies of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]; Some fëar also, and "spirits from afar", were sent to inhabit the [[Ents]].<ref name=L247>{{L|247}}</ref><ref>{{S|Aule}}</ref> [[Unbodied]] fëar, could be controlled by necromancy<ref>{{MR|P3II3c}}, p. 224</ref> (See also: [[undead]]). | ||
==Other names== | ==Other names== | ||
In [[Quenya]], a collective name for the spirits is ''[[ëalar]]''.<ref name=MR>{{MR|P3I3}}, p. 165 (commentary on § 18)</ref> | In [[Quenya]], a collective name for the spirits is ''[[ëalar]]''.<ref name=MR>{{MR|P3I3}}, p. 165 (commentary on § 18)</ref> |
Revision as of 11:48, 11 July 2021
Spirits refers to beings whose nature in essence were of non-corporeality, and generally dwell in the Unseen.
Ilúvatar creates spirits from nothing through the Flame Imperishable.[1]
Groups
Ainur
- Main article: Ainur
Before Eä, Eru created the spirits known as the Ainur, the Holy Ones. The greater were called Valar and the lesser Maiar.[2]
Some of the spirits were associated with a certain element, or physical phenomenon:
- Air spirits: Spirits shaped like hawks and eagles delivered messages to Manwë as he sat in his throne in Ilmarin upon Taniquetil.[3]
- Fire spirits: The Maia Arien is said to have been "from the beginning a spirit of fire".[4] Melkor seduced some of the fire spirits, which became known as the Balrogs.[5]
- Water spirits: A host of spirits followed Ulmo to maintain the waters of Arda, of whom the Maiar Ossë and Uinen were the greatest.[6] Perhaps Salmar, and Goldberry and the River-woman were such water spirits.
- Shadow spirits: It is told that Morgoth sent "spirits of shadow" against Tilion, as he hated the light of the Sun and Moon.[4]
Evil spirits
All Ainur originally adhered to Eru, but the Vala Melkor became corrupted and fell from the grace of Eru.[2] Melkor "gathered to himself spirits out of the voids of Eä that he had perverted to his service", and these became known as the Úmaiar or demons.[7] The "spirits of shadow" mentioned above were probably among these.
In the late Third Age, spirits of "evil vigilance" are said to have abode in the Two Watchers.[8] The Barrow-wights are furthermore said to be evil spirits who had entered in deserted mounds, stirring the bones of the dead.[9]
Other
Tom Bombadil was probably a "spirit" (of some sorts) of the earth.[10] Goldberry and the River-woman would perhaps belong to such an order.[11]
The fëar are the spirits (souls) that inhabit the bodies of the Children of Ilúvatar; Some fëar also, and "spirits from afar", were sent to inhabit the Ents.[12][13] Unbodied fëar, could be controlled by necromancy[14] (See also: undead).
Other names
In Quenya, a collective name for the spirits is ëalar.[15]
Other versions of the legendarium
In an early version of Tolkien's mythology, tiny, gleaming spirits appear dancing in a poem about Tavrobel.[16]
See also
External links
Ainur | ||
---|---|---|
Valar | Lords | Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · |
Valier | Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa | |
Maiar | Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen | |
Úmaiar | Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs | |
Concepts and locations | Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar |
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Ainulindalë: The Music of the Ainur"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Account of the Valar and Maiar According to the Lore of the Eldar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Enemies"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days" ("Salmar came with [Ulmo] to Arda, [...] and Ossë and Uinen also, to whom he gave the government of the waves and the movements of the Inner Seas, and many other spirits beside.")
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman", pp. 53 (§17), 79 (commentary to §30)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Tower of Cirith Ungol"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
- ↑ Tolkien described Tom as "The spirit of the this earth made aware of itself": Letter to Nevill Coghill (Excerpt reproduced here
- ↑ Steuard Jensen, "What is Tom Bombadil? Viable Theories: A Nature Spirit?", Tolkien FAQ (accessed 24 April 2024)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 247, (dated 20 September 1963)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Aulë and Yavanna"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar, Of Re-birth and Other Dooms of Those that go to Mandos", p. 224
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (I) The First Phase: 3. Of the Coming of the Elves", p. 165 (commentary on § 18)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Christina Scull & Wayne G. Hammond (eds), The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, "Once upon a Time and An Evening in Tavrobel", pp. 284-5>