History Edit

The Valar were the fourteen (fifteen including Melkor) Ainur who entered Arda after its creation to give order to the world and combat the evils of Melkor. They helped to begin the shaping of Arda through the music of Ilúvatar. Each of the Ainur added his or her own part to the music creating the world incarnate. All except Melkor. His vision of what Arda should have been was different than Eru's. This led to the casting out of Melkor and his great rebellion that caused so many of the ills of the world of Arda. The Valar originally dwelt on the hidden Isle of Almaren, but after its destruction, long before the Awakening of the Elves, they moved to Aman and founded Valinor.

It was originally Melkor's intention to rule Arda from himself, but Manwë called other spirits to help him confront Melkor. Among these were the other Valar and the Maiar. Melkor withdrew from Arda, and the others continued their creation of the World. But Melkor saw this, and returned to fight for control of Arda. The Valar have no fixed shape, but often take the shapes of Men and Elves, or anything they want, or they can remain invisible. They are not gods, though Men often mistake them as such. They are actually emissaries or regents of Ilúvatar, or Eru, the monotheistic God of the world, who rarely directly intervenes in the world's course of events.

The Valar are part of the Hierarchy of Spirits that is a major part of the Tolkien Myth. Eru (the One), also called or Ilúvatar by the Elves, was the Creator. The angel-like spirits he created were the Ainur, of which the Valar were the greatest. The Maiar were lesser spirits, but powerful nonetheless, and included Sauron, the Balrogs, the Istari, Melian, and many others.

The Valar often referred to one another as brother or sister.

Names Edit

These are the names of the Valar as they were known to the Eldar. In Middle-earth, they were known by other names of Sindarin origin; for example they called Varda Elbereth. Men knew them by many other names, and sometimes worshipped them as Gods. The dwarves called Aulë, their creator, Mahal. It should be noted that, with the exception of Oromë, the names listed below are not actual names but rather titles: the true names of the Valar are nowhere recorded. Male Valar are called "Lords of the Valar"; females are called "Queens of the Valar," or Valier.

Lords of the Valar (in order of precedence) Edit

• Manwë Súlimo, King of the Valar
• Melko or Melkor, the Dark Power, and most powerful of the Valar. Later Referred to as Morgoth.
• Ulmo, King of the Sea
• Aulë, the Smith and the Lord of Earth and all that's underneath
• Oromë Aldaron, Lord of Forests, the Great Rider, and Hunter of Valinor
• Námo (Mandos), Judge of the Dead
• Irmo (Lórien), Lord and Master of Dreams, Visions, and Desires, and Creator of the Oloré Mallé, or Path of Dreams
• Tulkas Astaldo, Champion of Valinor, the last of the Valar to come to Arda

Queens of the Valar (Valier, in order of power) Edit

• Varda Elentári, Queen of the Stars, spouse of Manwë
• Yavanna Kementári (Palùrien), Giver of Fruits, spouse of Aulë
• Nienna, Lady of Mercy
• Estë the Gentle, Lady of Healing and Rest, spouse of Irmo
• Vairë the Weaver, spouse of Mandos
• Vána the Ever-young, spouse of Orome
• Nessa the Dancer, spouse of Tulkas

Other names Edit

The Aratar (Sindarin: Exalted) or High Ones of Arda are the eight greatest of the Valar: Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna, Aulë, Mandos, Nienna, and Oromë. Melkor, the most powerful of all, is not counted among them.

Lórien and Mandos are brothers and are referred to collectively as the Fëanturi or "Masters of Spirits".

See also Edit

• Valaquenta
• Dark Powers

External link Edit

• Valar at Tolkien Gateway