Valar

2026-06-04T20:20:29Z

Dandyandy96: Grammar/punctuation

{{Short description|Lords of the West}}
{{expansion}}
{{people infobox
| name=Valar
| image = Jerrel Salvatierra - Powers of Arda.jpg
| caption="[[:File:Jerrel Salvatierra - Powers of Arda.jpg|Powers of Arda]]" by Jerrel Salvatierra
| pronun=[[Quenya|Q]], {{IPA|[ˈvalar]}}
| othernames=Lords of the West
| origin=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| location=[[Timeless Halls]], [[Almaren]], [[Aman]]
| affiliation=[[Ilúvatar]]
| rivalry=[[Morgoth|Melkor]]
| language=[[Valarin]], [[Quenya]], [[Sindarin]], [[Telerin]], [[Khuzdul]]
| members='''''[[Aratar]]'''''; [[Irmo]], [[Tulkas]], [[Estë]], [[Vairë]], [[Vána]], [[Nessa]] <br/><small>formerly: [[Melkor]]</small>
| lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=[[Immortality]]; rulers of the [[World]]
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{quote|But this condition Ilúvatar made, or it is the necessity of their love, that their power should thenceforward be contained and bounded in the World, to be within it for ever, until it is complete, so that they are its life and it is theirs. And therefore they are named the Valar, the Powers of the World.|''[[Ainulindalë]]''}}

The '''Valar''' (sg. '''Vala''') were the '''Powers of Arda''' who shaped and ruled the world. They lived on the Western continent of [[Aman]].

==Origins==
The Valar were [[Ainur]], [[spirits]] that were the offspring of [[Ilúvatar]]'s thought.<ref name=":3">{{S|Ainu}}</ref>

After singing the [[Music of the Ainur|Great Music]], the Ainur witnessed the [[Vision of Ilúvatar]] and the creation of [[Eä]] (the Universe). The Valar were the greatest of the Ainur which then chose to enter Eä in order to shape Arda and prepare it it for the awakening of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], ([[Elves]] and [[Men]]); doing so required combating the evils of [[Melkor]], who came to Arda to claim it as his own.<ref name=":3" />

As Ainur, the Valar were divine, immortal spirits who had no physical body and could remain invisible. Nonetheless, they took visible bodily forms after the manner of the bodies of Elves and Men.<ref name="visible" />{{rp|217–218}} When not in bodily forms, the Valar were perceived by the Elves of [[Valinor]] as lights of different hues, which their eyes could not tolerate.<ref name="visible" />{{rp|218}}

Some called the Valar "[[gods]]<ref name=":0" />", but they were actually emissaries or regents of Ilúvatar, and they were not to be themselves worshipped.<ref name="L156">{{L|156}}</ref> Their purpose was not to be lords or masters of the Children of Ilúvatar, but rather to serve as elders and guides.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="ReferenceA">{{S|1}}</ref> The Valar were prohibited from depriving the Children of their free will,<ref>{{MR|P4i}}, p. 339</ref><ref>{{PM|XI2}}, p. 334</ref> killing or otherwise using force against them,<ref name="L156" /><ref>{{MR|P4k}}, p. 350</ref> or dominating them through displays of angelic power.<ref name="L156" />

Like all Ainur, the Valar had witnessed much of the unfolding of the history of Arda in the Vision of Ilúvatar, but not all of it. Parts of this history, and certain parts of Ilúvatar's thought, such as the true nature and destiny of the Children of Ilúvatar, remained hidden from them.<ref name="s3">{{S|3}}</ref>

The Valar, having entered Arda, were confined within its life; they suffered its slow ageing, perceiving it as a growing weight upon them<ref name="nm_time">{{NM|P1iii}}</ref> and faded, becoming more impotent in proportion to the shape and constitution of things becoming more defined and settled.<ref>{{MR|P5VII}}</ref> They were in many ways to the total physical matter of Arda similar to the [[fëar]] within the corporeal [[hröar]] of the Incarnate.<ref name="nm_time" />

==Names, hierarchy and relationships==
These are the names of the Valar as they were known to the [[Eldar]]:

===Lords of the Valar===
*[[Manwë]] Súlimo<ref name=":0">{{S|IIb}}"</ref>, the "Elder King", husband of Varda<ref name=":1">{{S|Index}}"</ref>
*[[Ulmo]], Lord of Waters, King of the Sea, "The Pourer", "The Rainer"<ref name=":1" />
*[[Aulë]] the smith and master of crafts<ref name=":1" />, husband of Yavanna<ref name=":0" />
*[[Oromë]], ''Aldaron'' ([[Sindarin|S]]. ''Tauron)'', "Lord of Trees",<ref name=":1" /> the Great Rider<ref>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>, husband of Vána<ref name=":0" />
*[[Mandos]] (Námo''')''' the Judge<ref name=":1" />, Doomsman of the Valar, husband of Vairë<ref name=":0" />
*[[Irmo|Lórien]] (Irmo), master of visions and dreams, husband of Estë<ref name=":0" />
*[[Tulkas]] Astaldo<ref name=":0" />, "greatest in strength and deeds of prowess<ref name=":1" />", champion of the Valar<ref name="s3" />, husband of Nessa<ref name=":0" />
Note: [[Morgoth|Melkor]] (Morgoth, [[Sindarin|S]]. ''Bauglir)'' was no longer counted among the Valar in later days.<ref name=":2">{{S|Vala}}, pp. 25-26</ref>

===Queens of the Valar (''Valier'')===
*[[Varda]] Elentári, Queen of the Stars,<ref name="s3" /> Elbereth, wife of Manwë<ref name=":1" />
*[[Yavanna]] Kementári, Queen of the Earth, "Giver of Fruits", wife of Aulë<ref name=":0" />
*[[Nienna]], Lady of pity and mourning<ref name=":1" />
*[[Estë]] the Gentle, wife of Irmo<ref name=":0" />
*[[Vairë]] the Weaver, wife of Mandos<ref name=":1" />
*[[Vána]] the Ever-young, wife of Oromë<ref name=":0" />
*[[Nessa]], wife of Tulkas<ref name=":0" />

The eight greatest Valar were known as the ''[[Aratar]]'', the "High Ones of Arda"<ref name=":0" /> or ''Máhani''<ref>{{HM|WJ}}, p. 402</ref> and, "The Exalted"<ref name=":1" />. These included: Manwë, Ulmo, Aulë, Oromë, Mandos, Varda, Yavanna, and Nienna. Melkor, the most powerful of all the Ainur, is not counted among them.<ref name=":2" />

The brothers Lórien and Mandos are referred to collectively as the ''[[Fëanturi]]'' or "Masters of Spirits".<ref name=":0" />

In [[Middle-earth]], the individual Valar were known by other names in other languages. For example in Sindarin, Varda was called ''Elbereth''<ref name=":1" />. [[Men]] knew them by many other names, and sometimes referred to them as "gods"<ref name=":0" />. The [[Dwarves]] called Aulë, their creator, ''Mahal''<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{S|Aule}}</ref>. The [[Rohirrim]] knew Oromë as ''Béma''<ref name=":1" />.
===Relationships between the Valar===
In the mind of Eru, some Valar were siblings. It was also the Valar who first practiced marriage, and later passed on their custom to the Elves.

Marriages between the Valar included:
*Manwë and Varda<ref name=":1" />
*Aulë and Yavanna<ref name=":0" />
*Oromë and Vána<ref name=":0" />
*Mandos and Vairë<ref name=":1" />
*Nessa and Tulkas<ref name=":0" />
*Lórien and Estë<ref name=":0" />
Ulmo, Nienna, and Melkor were unmarried.

Valar who were siblings included:

*Manwë and Melkor<ref name=":0" />
*Vána and Yavanna<ref name=":1" />
*Mandos, Lórien, and Nienna<ref name=":1" />
*Nessa and Oromë<ref name=":1" />

==History==
When the Valar entered [[Eä]], Manwë and Melkor fought, and Manwë called other spirits to help him in his battle. Among these were the other Valar and the [[Maiar]]. After this [[First War with Melkor]], the Enemy withdrew from the battle into distant places of [[Eä]], and the others continued to shape the World.

Long before the [[Awakening of the Elves]], the Valar - namely Aulë, Varda and Manwë - created the [[Two Lamps]] that illuminated the world, and while they were dwelling in the isle of [[Almaren]], nature prospered in the [[Spring of Arda]]. But Melkor saw this, and returned to fight for control of Arda, destroying the Lamps and thus marring the world further. The Valar retreated to [[Aman]] and founded [[Valinor]];<ref name="ReferenceA" /> this was first intended to be a fortress whence they might issue to renew the War, but became a Paradise of peace, while [[Middle-earth]] was corrupted and darkened by Melkor, long unopposed.<ref name="knowledge">{{NM|P2xii}}</ref>{{rp|210}} Outside the golden gates of the city [[Valimar]], the Valar gathered in [[Máhanaxar]] to hold their great councils, bathed in the light of the [[Two Trees]], and some of the most momentous decisions of Eä's history were made.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Aulë and the Seven Fathers.jpg|thumb|''Aulë and the Seven Fathers'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While they dwelt in Valinor, most of Arda was dark and under the control of Melkor. Eventually the Valar (even Ulmo) came to the [[Ring of Doom]], and fearing about what would befall the Children, they began the [[Battle of the Powers]], at the end of which they broke [[Utumno]] and [[Chaining of Melkor|imprisoned Melkor for three Ages]]. It was then decided to invite the Elves to Valinor. [[Ulmo]], despite initially disagreeing with this decision, helped the [[Eldar]] traverse the [[Great Sea]] to the [[West]]. During that period the Valar welcomed the [[Calaquendi]] in Valinor and they prospered under their guidance and the holy [[Light of Valinor]].<ref name="s3" />
[[File:Douglas Chaffee - Stars.jpg|thumb|left|''Stars'' by Douglas Chaffee]]

But Melkor and [[Ungoliant]] killed the Two Trees and their [[Light of Valinor|Light]], and the Valar and the Elves mourned the [[Darkening of Valinor]]. [[Fëanor]], the most gifted of the Elves, rebelled against the Valar and refused to surrender the [[Silmarils]] to rekindle the Trees, and then opted to leave Valinor to wrest the Silmarils from the Dark Lord after he stole them. He blamed the Valar for Morgoth's deeds and most Elves were persuaded that because the Valar had abandoned them, the [[Noldor]] must follow him to Middle-earth. He and his [[Sons of Feanor|sons]] [[Oath of Feanor|vowed]] to fight anyone and everyone - Elf, Man, Maia, or Vala - who withheld the Silmarils.<ref>{{S|8}}</ref><ref>{{S|9}}</ref>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Ulmo Appears before Tuor.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - '' Ulmo Appears before Tuor'']]
After the departure of the rebelling Noldor, the Valar created the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]] from the last living growth of the Two Trees and appointed two Maiar to steer them through the skies. However, after the Enemy attempted to destroy the Moon, the Valar fortified Valinor. The [[Nurtalë Valinóreva|Hiding of Valinor]] made it inaccessible to Morgoth, but also exiled the Noldor who followed Fëanor.<ref>{{S|11}}</ref>

The Valar virtually abandoned the peoples of Middle-earth who suffered during the [[Wars of Beleriand]], although they had their ways to guide them through their sufferings: [[Ulmo]] urged [[Turgon]] and [[Finrod]] to build their hidden kingdoms and guided [[Tuor]] to [[Gondolin]] as a messenger for Turgon.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien's Lament Before Mandos.jpg|thumb|''Lúthien's Lament Before Mandos'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Near the end of the [[First Age]], [[Eärendil]] breached the Hiding of Valinor and went before the Valar, and asked them for aid for Men and Elves in Middle-earth, to fight against Morgoth; and the Valar accepted his plea. The [[Host of the Valar]], composed of Maiar and [[Amanyar]], came to [[Beleriand]] and fought the great [[War of Wrath]] and managed their final victory over the Dark Lord, who was judged again, and expelled from Arda.<ref>{{S|24}}</ref> The road to Valinor opened again for the Elves, both the exiled Noldor and the [[Moriquendi]] of Middle-earth.

The [[Edain]] suffered much during the Wars and under Morgoth, and the Valar created the isle of [[Elenna]] for them, and blessed them and their descendants with wisdom, knowledge and longevity. However, they imposed a ban on them to never travel westwards. Although the [[Númenóreans]] dominated the mortal lands, eventually they were restricted by the [[Ban of the Valar]] and the fear of death. They envied the Valar and the Elves for their [[immortality]], and [[King of Numenor|King]] [[Tar-Atanamir]] was the first to speak against the immortals.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Eagles of Manwë.jpg|thumb|left|''The Eagles of Manwë'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Eagle-shaped storm clouds, called the "Eagles of the Lords of the West", were sent by Manwë when he tried to reason or threaten the Númenóreans. After several generations, [[Númenor]] fell under the corrupting influence of [[Sauron]], who eventually assured King [[Ar-Pharazôn]] that if he ever reached Aman he would become immortal. He gathered a [[Great Armament|great host of ships]] and sailed to break the Ban of the Valar and wage war upon them. But Manwë was aware of what transpired, and the Valar then laid down the Guardianship of Arda. Ilúvatar responded by catastrophically changing the shape of Arda. After the destruction of [[Númenor]], the Undying Lands were removed from Arda so that Men could not reach them and only the Elves could go there by the [[Straight Road]] and in ships capable of passing out of the Spheres of the earth.<ref name="S|Akallabeth">{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>

By the [[Third Age]], the Valar worried about the growing [[Shadow]] of Sauron, and they held counsel. They sent some Maiar who came to the mortal lands in the guise of old men, a part of some restrictions imposed upon them. They formed the Order of the [[Wizards]] and opposed Sauron until his demise in the [[War of the Ring]].<ref>{{UT|Istari}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RK}}</ref>

It is said that their guardianship will grow weak and the Dark Lord will eventually escape the [[Doors of Night]]. The Valar will fight him again in the [[Dagor Dagorath]], when the world will be destroyed, but the Ainur along with Elves and Men will sing anew a Second [[Music of the Ainur]]. All the Ainur know is that the Second Music will be greater than the First Music. Even the Ainur do not know anything of the second world or the Second Music only that it will be greater than the First Music.

==Etymology==
{{pronounce|Quenya - Valar.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
The word ''[[vala]]'' is [[Quenya]] for "(angelic) power" and derives from the [[root]] [[BAL]], having to do with mightiness and power. The [[Primitive Quendian]] form of the word was ''bálā'', pl. ''bal-ī''.<ref name="Ety">{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 350 (root appearing as "BAL-")</ref> Related words suggested authority or divinity, eg. ''vala-'' ("to rule").<ref>{{HM|WJ}}, p. 404</ref>

The Valar were commemorated in the day-name ''[[Valanya]]'' and personal names such as ''[[Valandur]]'' or ''[[Valandil]]''. The word is also the name of [[Tengwa]] [[Vala|#22]].

==Other names==
In [[Sindarin]], they are called ''Belain'', sg. ''[[Balan]]'' as in the day-name ''[[Valanya|Orbelain]]'' and the constellation ''[[Valacirca|Cerch i Mbelain]]''. More commonly, they were called ''Rodyn'' (singular ''Rodon'') instead.

The Valar are also called the "Lords of Valinor"<ref name="S|Akallabeth" /> or ''númeheruvi'' ("Lords-of-West").<ref name=":7">{{HM|SD}}</ref>{{Rp|246}}

In [[Adûnaic]], the Valar were ''Avalôi'' (pl.) and ''Avalôim'' (subj. pl.) "Powers". The female form (equivalent to ''Valie'') was ''Avalê'' ("goddess").<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|241, 305, 428}} They had also the title ''Barîm an-Adûn'' ("Lords-of-West").<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|247}}

In [[Ælfwine|Ælfwine's]] translations in [[Old English]], the Valar were called ''Ése'' ("Gods"), ''Brega'' ("Rulers") and ''Mægnu'' ("Powers"), while the Chief Valar were ''Fréan'' ("Lords").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, pp. 208-211</ref> The Old English name for the Valar that "came" to [[Alwin Arundel Lowdham|Arundel Lowdham]] was however different, its being ''Tíwas''.<ref>{{SD|66}}, p. 242</ref>

==Attributes==
The Valar were typically seen and known to the Eldar while donning their [[fanar]], visible bodily forms adopted by the Valar and their kind as their normal "raiment". These forms were shaped after the manner of the bodies of Elves and Men, though they appeared radiant as if lit by a light within. The Great Valar had a stature greater than that of the tallest Elves, though not gigantic, but could assume awe-inspiring height when performing some great deed or issuing great commands.<ref name="visible">{{NM|P2xiv}}</ref>{{rp|217–218}}

The Elves of Valinor asserted that unclad and unveiled the Valar were perceived by some among them as lights, of different hues, which their eyes could not tolerate.<ref name="visible" />{{rp|218}} Melkor, they said, was invisible and his presence was revealed only by great dread and by a darkness that dimmed or blotted out the light and hues of all things near him.<ref name="visible">{{NM|P2xiv}}</ref>{{rp|fn1}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the Valar were more closely associated with pagan mythologies. Other than marrying, they were able to have children. [[Fionwe]] and [[Ilmare]] were first conceived as the children of Manwë and Varda and [[Gothmog]] as the son of Melko. Some ''[[Valarindi]]'' ("Offspring of the Valar") were made Maiar in the later [[legendarium]].<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com/post/81130376337/children-of-the-valar|articlename=Children of the Valar|website=[http://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com Ask About Middle-earth]}}</ref>

In those earlier conceptions, the word ''Vala'' was associated with [[Qenya]] words for happiness and blessedness, as seen in the words ''valin'' and ''valimo'' ("happy"). Thus the word Valar meant "Happy ones" before being reconceived as being associated with power. The Qenya form referring specifically to a male Vala was ''Valu'', whereas the female form of the Vala was ''Valde'' or ''Valis''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Helge Fauskanger]]|articleurl=http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/quen-eng.htm|articlename=Quettaparma Quenyallo|website=Arda}}</ref>

In the ''[[Etymologies]],'' it said that the word has no female form, and a female Vala is called ''Valatári'' or "Queen of the Valar".<ref name="Ety" /> In ''[[The Silmarillion]],'' the female form is ''Valie''.

''Wanwavoisi'' is a name for both [[Varda]] and [[Manwë]] together, according to the early version of the legendarium in ''The Book of Lost Tales''. It is a [[Qenya]] name, but its etymology is unclear, although it probably contains the element ''wanwa'' ("great gale").<ref>{{LT1|Appendi}} "[[Súlimo]]"</ref>

===Abandoned Valar concepts===
There were several named Valar who were not included in later versions of the legendarium. These included:

*[[Lúthien (son of Telimektar)|Lúthien]], son of the Vala Telimektar, also known as ''Lúsion'' ([[Gnomish]] for "friend" in some outlines and "wanderer" in others)<ref>{{LT2|VI}}, outline 16, pp. 301-2</ref><ref>[[Paul Strack]], "[http://eldamo.org/content/words/word-3133509837.html G. ''Lúthien'' m.]", [http://eldamo.org/index.html Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon] (accessed 23 Novemebr 2024)</ref>
*[[Nielíqui]], daughter of [[Oromë]] and [[Vána]]<ref>{{MC|Secret}}, p. 220 (note 9)</ref><ref name=":6">{{LT1|Index}}, p. 288</ref>; also known as ''Nielikki,'' ''Nyelikki'', and ''Nieliqi,''<ref name=":5">{{PE|12}}, p.69</ref> as well as ''Wendine'' (meaning "Little Maiden" in [[Qenya]])<ref name=":8">{{PE|14}}</ref>{{Rp|15}}
*[[Nornorë]], herald of the Gods and messenger of Manwë<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":10">{{LT1|Appendix}}</ref>{{Rp|263}}
*[[Makar]], warrior Vala and brother of Meássë,<ref name=":4">{{LT1|III}}", p. 67</ref> also known as ''Ramandor (''Qenya for "The Shouter)<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|259}} and ''Kostorin'' (or ''Gothonwi'' in Gnomish)<ref name=":8" />{{rp|13}}
*[[Meássë]], "warrior goddess" and "fierce sister" of Makar, also known as ''Rávi'' (related to ravennë "she-lion")<ref name=":4" /> as well as ''Tarkil''<ref name=":8" />{{rp|15}}
*[[Ómar]], also called ''Amillo,'' the youngest of all the Valar,<ref name=":4" /> master of [[languages]] and songs<ref name=":9">{{LT1|II}}</ref>{{Rp|47}}
*[[Telimektar]], son of [[Tulkas]], also known as ''Mordo''<ref name=":5" /> and ''Telmaithron''<ref name=":8" />{{rp|13}}
Some Ainur, such as [[Ossë]] and [[Uinen]] were initially considered as Valar, but were later changed to [[Maiar]].<ref>{{MR|P3II1}}, p. 201, note to §3</ref>

===Children of the Valar===
The [[Valarindi]] were the Children of the Valar in the earliest phases of the mythology, especially in ''The Book of Lost Tales''. In the later versions, the concept was abandoned and some of the Valarindi characters survived as Maiar. The [[Quenya]] name is attested for the last time in The Annals of Aman.<ref>{{AA|4}}, p. 49</ref>

*Manwë and Varda: [[Fionwë]], [[Ilmarë|Erinti]]<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|58}}
*Aulë and Yavanna: [[Oromë]], [[Nessa]]<ref name=":6" />
*Oromë and Vána: Nielíqui<ref name=":6" />
*Tulkas and Nessa: Telimektar<ref>{{LT1|IV}}, p. 101</ref>
*[[Melko]] and the [[ogres]]s [[Ulbandi]]: [[Kalimbo]]/[[Gothmog|Kosomot]]<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 216</ref>
*[[Túrin Turambar]] was named among the sons of the Gods in both the ''[[Quenta Noldorinwa]]''<ref>{{SM|Q19}}, pp. 165-166 (see note 9)</ref> and the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion (Lost Road)|Quenta Silmarillion]]'' of [[1937]],<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}, p. 333</ref> although it was later removed along with the concept.
{{References}}

==See also==
*''[[Valaquenta]]''
*[[Maiar]]
{{references}}
{{ainur}}
[[Category:Ainur]]
[[Category:Quenya demonyms]]
[[Category:Valar| ]]
[[de:Valar]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/ainur/valar]]
[[fi:Valar]]

Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Valar