Skip to content
TolkienologyAn independent world of discovery
THE BOOKS. THE WORLD. THE IDEAS.
An encyclopedia & research journal
Explore Tolkienology
Explore Tolkienology

The Tolkien Encyclopedia

THE PUBLIC MIDDLE-EARTH ENCYCLOPEDIA

Explore Tolkien’s people, places, histories and ideas. Definitions remain free to read. Use a name or keyword, choose a topic, or browse by initial letter.

Latest encyclopedia additions

21 matching entries · 117 public entries in the encyclopedia. Reset filters

Cosmology and mythology

Aulë

Aulë was an Ainu and a Vala created by Eru Iliuvatar, and his lordship was over all the substances of which Arda was made. He was a Smith and master of all crafts,…

Cosmology and mythology

Eä

The World created by Eru Iluvatar, the "universe" in which was Arda created.

Characters and genealogies

Eru Ilúvatar

The supreme being who was there at the beginning of all time. Ainulindalë, the first part of the Silmarillion, starts with: There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar;…

Cosmology and mythology

Estë

Estë was one of the Valar. She was the healer of all hurts and weariness. She was a wife to Irmo and they dwelled in the silver-lit gardens of Lórien. Grey is her…

Cosmology and mythology

Illuin

One of the two mighty lamps wrought by Aulë at the prayer of Yavanna, which were built amid the encircling seas. Illuin was raised near the north of Middle-earth, while Ormal was raised…

Cosmology and mythology

Irmo

Irmo the younger is the master of visions and dreams. In Lorien are his gardens in the land of Valar.The Silmarillion Irmo was an Aiunu and a Vala, brother to Mandos and…

Cosmology and mythology

Mandos

Namo was an Ainu, a Valar, and one of the Aratar. He dwelled in Mandos, for which he was named Mandos by the Elves. Mandos was the brother of Irmo (Lórien) and…

Cosmology and mythology

Manwë

King of Arda, King of the Valar, leader of Anuir, husband to Varda, and brother to Melkor. He lived atop Mount Tanquetil in Valinor, the highest mountain in Arda. Manwë means "The…

Cosmology and mythology

Melkor

Melkor was the most powerful among Valar but he turned to darkness and forfeited his name which means "He who arises in Might". He was the first Dark lord, the main antagonist…

Cosmology and mythology

Nienna

Nienna was one of the Queens of Valar, the sister of the Fëanturi, Mandos, and Irmo. She is acquainted with grief and mourns for every wound that Arda suffered in the marring…

Cosmology and mythology

Ormal

One of the two mighty lamps wrought by Aulë at the prayer of Yavanna, which were built amid the encircling seas. Illuin was raised near the north of Middle-earth, while Ormal was raised…

Cosmology and mythology

Oromë

Oromë was a Vala created by Eru Iluvatar, one of the Aratar, also known as the Huntsman of the Valar as he was a hunter of monsters and fell beasts. Oromë is…

Cosmology and mythology

Tulkas

Tulkas was the last of Anuir to descend into Arda, during the first battles with Melkor. He is the strongest Valar created by Eru Ilúvatar, also known as Astaldo, the Valiant. Greatest…

Cosmology and mythology

Ulmo

Ulmo is the Anuir and the power of Arda, a Valar created by Eru. He is the Lord of the Waters and he dwells in all the deep about the Earth or…

Cosmology and mythology

Vairë

Vairë the Weaver was a spouse of Mandos. She weaved all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs, and the halls of Mandos that ever widen as the…

Cosmology and mythology

Vána

One of the Queens of Valar, sister of Yavanna and spouse to Oromë. Known as Ever-young: All flowers spring as she passes and open if she glances upon them, and all the…

Cosmology and mythology

Varda

Queen of the Stars, Queen of all the Valar. Wife to Manwë, King of Valar, leader of Anuir. With Manwë dwells Varda, Lady of the Stars, who knows all the regions of…

Cosmology and mythology

Yavanna

Queen of the Earth, Giver of Fruits, wife to Aulë.

Independent publication · Editorial standards · Membership · Reader login