Yavanna (Quenya; IPA: [jaˈvanna] - "Giver of Fruits") was an Ainu, one of the Aratar and a Vala who was responsible for the growth of all the fruits and growing things of Arda. She was also called Kementári (Queen of the earth) or Palúrien[1][2] and is the wife of Aulë. She resided in the Pastures of Yavanna, in the south of Valinor.
Biography
Beginning in the Years of the Lamps during the Spring of Arda, she planted and caused to grow the first growing things of the world (trees and plants), which she had long prepared. At first, just as every other thing in the world that the Valar nurtured and cared for, these things prospered and throve for a time. Melkor, however, had his own plans and they involved taking the world from his brethren and ruling it for himself. From his great fortress of Utumno in the far north, he sent forth his poisons into the veins of the world blighting the Spring of Arda. Then the things of Yavanna fell sick and rotted and soon after Melkor assaulted and destroyed the Two Lamps, breaking the world.
Afterwards, the Valar relocated to the continent of Aman where they created the Two Trees - the only light in the whole world at that time. Middle-earth was left in darkness, and the living things that survived were put into a great sleep by Yavanna until the rise of the Sun and the Moon many thousands of years later.
After Eru allowed Aulë's creations, the Dwarves, to survive, Yavanna feared that they would cut down all the trees in Middle-earth. Eru answered her plea by creating Ents to protect the trees.[3][4][5]
Maiar of Yavanna
Aiwendil, known in Middle-earth as Radagast, is the third wizard sent to help the people of Middle-earth stand against Sauron.
Etmology
Yavanna means giver of fruits in Quenya.
Kementári means queen of the earth in Sindarin.
References
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 1: The Book of Lost Tales Part One
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 2: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Valaquenta
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter II: "Of Aulë and Yavanna"
- ↑ The Complete Guide to Middle-earth
