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The Valar, the Powers of Middle-Earth


While there are no chapels, churches, or temples overtly present in Tolkien's works, an Elvish pantheon of sorts is detailed in the Silmarillion. Outlined in the Valaquenta, or "The Tale of the Powers", the Valar play an important role in the history of Middle-Earth.
In the beginning, a being known simply as Eru created the Ainur from his mere thought. Eru (whom the elves later called Ilúvatar, or the "All-Father") then sang his vision of the world into existence, and the Ainur aided Eru, all save one.
When the world was complete, fifteen of the Ainur left the Timeless Halls of Iluvatar, and bound themselves to the new world. These beings, known collectively as Valar, are the realm of this discussion.

(Note: The names below are in descending order of power, divided by gender. Those entries that are bold indicate the Aratar, the most powerful of the Valar.

The Lords of the Valar
Manwë Súlimo--Lord of the Air
Ulmo--Lord of the Seas
Aulë--The Smith
Oromë--The Huntsman
Námo (Mandos)--The Doomsman
Irmo (Lórien)--Lord of Dreams
Tulkas Astaldo--The Warrior

The Queens of the Valar
Varda Elentári--Queen of Stars
Yavanna Kementári--Giver of Fruits
Nienna--The Weeper
Estë--The Gentle Healer
Vairë--The Weaver
Vána--The Ever-Young
Nessa--Bride of Tulkas

The Unspoken
Melkor--The Dark One



Lords of the Valar

Manwë Súlimo


Manwë is the chief of the Valar, the mightiest of the order. Manwë, who's name means "Blessed One", was surnamed Súlimo by the elves, referencing his title as "Lord of the Breath of Arda." Manwë is the lord of the winds and the weather, and all the birds of the air love him. Manwë was responsible for the creation of the race of Great Eagles that dwelt in the mountains. Along with his wife, Varda the Star-Queen, Manwë rules over all of Arda from his palace on Taniquetil, the highest of all mountains. It is said that when she is by his side, he can see to the very ends of the earth.

Ulmo


Ulmo, before the forging of the world, was the greatest and truest friend of Manwë, and second only to him in power among the Valar. Though he rarely attended the councils of the Valar after they descended into Arda, Ulmo cares much for the Children of Ilúvatar, both Elves and Men. As Lord of the Waters, Ulmo (who's name means "He who pours") keeps the whole of Arda in his thoughts, for he is not bound to one dwelling. Ulmo lives alone, but is kept company by the fish of the rivers and seas, and hears all news, good or ill, in the realm of Arda.

Aulë


Aulë the Smith lives up to the meaning of his name: "Invention". He is lord over all the substances of which the earth is made, "and the fashioning of all lands was his labour." Aulë created the chain that held Melkor during his captivity, as well as the vessels that contained Isil and Anar, the Moon and Sun. Aulë also created the dwarves, in anticipation of the coming of the Elves to Arda, and Ilúvatar gave them life, but they would only rise after the Firstborn arrived. Aulë taught the Elves the arts of craft, and his chief student, Fëanor, created the Simarils. His spouse is Yavanna Fruit-Giver, Queen of the Earth.

Oromë


Oromë the Huntsman hunts the evil monsters and spirits that threaten the safety of the Children of Ilúvatar. His name translates roughly to "Trumpeter", in reference to his mighty hunting horn, Valaróma. He spends much time abroad in the forests of Arda, which has earned him the names Aldaron ("Lord of the Trees") and Tauron ("Lord of the Forests"). Oromë was also well known to the horse-loving Rohirrim, who called him Béma. Their tradition holds that he and his mighty hunting-horse Nahar brought the mearas to Middle-Earth. Vána is his wife, and his sister is Nessa, bride of Tulkas.

Námo (Mandos)


Though his true name is Námo, he is most commonly known by the name of his realm: Mandos. Elder of the Manwë. His spouse is the Weaver, Vairë, who's tapestries document the history of all things, and decorate the Halls of Waiting.

Irmo (Lórien)

The younger of theFëanturi, Irmo rules over the realm of Lórien, the Garden of Dreams. As with his brother, Irmo is generally called by the name of his realm, the most beautiful garden in all of Arda where many spirits dwell. Master of dreams and visions, Lórien rules over the fountains which provide nourishment to the Valar themselves. His spouse is Estë, the Healer.

Tulkas Astaldo


Tulkas the Strong, called by the Elves Astaldo, "The Valiant", was the chief warrior of the Valar. He delights in all tests of strength, including wrestling. He is tireless, and can outrun anything that goes about on legs. Though he is the most warlike of the Valar, he is also a great friend and laughs always. He fought Melkor many times while the world was young, and triumphed always. His spouse is Nessa, sister to Oromë the Huntsman.

Queens of the Valar

Varda Elentári


Varda ("Sublime") is the wife of Manwë, Lord of the Winds. The elves call her Elentári, for they were of her making. Her beauty shall never be surpassed, as the light of Ilúvatar lives in her face. She and Manwë are seldom parted, and it is said that if he is with her, she can hear the faintest sound across the world.

Yavanna Kementári


Yavanna, "Giver of Fruits", cares for the plants of Arda. She rules over all the growing things of the earth, and so is called Kementári, "Queen of the Earth". Yavanna sang the Two Trees of Valinor into existence, with the help of Nienna. She also created the Ents, the Shepherds of the Trees, after hearing of the creation of Aulë's dwarves. She is the wife of The Smith, and elder sister to Vána, the wife of Oromë.

Nienna


Nienna is the sister of the Fëanturi. Like her brothers Námo and Irmo, Nienna's power is great. Her name means "She who weeps." She lives alone on the western border of the world, weeping for the pain of Arda, and her tears cleanse away the filth of Melkor. She wore a hood of grey, and the Maia Olórin, who would later come to Middle-Earth as Gandalf the Grey learned much from Nienna about compassion and pity. She seldom travels to the city of the Valar, but can be found often at the dwelling of her brother Mandos, seeking to comfort those in the Halls of Waiting.

Estë


Estë is the grey-clad healer of hurts. She lives in Lórien with her husband, Irmo, Lord of Dreams. By day, she sleeps on the island of Lórellin in the gardens. Estë's gifts of healing are beyond compare, but her greatest gift is that of rest for the weary-hearted.

Vairë


Vairë is the Weaver, wife of Namo, Lord of Mandos. She weaves all tales of the world into beautiful tapestries with which the Halls of Awaiting are clothed. Beautiful is her art, and vast is her memory.

Vána


Vána is the younger sister of Yavanna, and her name comes from an elvish word for beauty. She is espoused to Oromë. It is said that "all flowers spring as she passes and open if she glances upon them; and all birds sing at her coming."

Nessa


Nessa is the sister of Oromë, The Huntsman, and wife of the warrior Tulkas. The is fleet of foot, and fast as an arrow. She loves the deer of the field, and they follow in her path wherever she goes, although she outruns them. She enjoys dancing on the ever-green lawns of Valimar.

The Unspoken

Melkor


Melkor is no less in power than his brother, Manwë, but has been banished from the company of the Valar. He first rebelled against Ilúvatar during the Song of Creation, distorting the vision Eru had for the world. When the Valar departed for Arda, Melkor accompanied them to destroy their labors. Melkor does not posess the ability to create, he may only pervert and distort things others have made to suit his purpose. Legends state that Melkor created the Orcs by twisting Elven bodies, and Trolls from captured Ents. He fought with Oromë. With the aid of Ungoliant, he destroyed the Two Trees, and later stole the Simarils for his iron crown. He lived in the fortess of Angband until he was cast into the Void. Legends say, however, that he will return before the ending of the world. When he betrayed Ilúvatar's will, the Valar named him Morgoth, and the name Melkor is no longer mentioned in this world.



The information on this page came from The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien, The Encyclopedia of Arda, and Valaquenta.com. All paintings of the Valar are courtesy of Alice and Angel Falto, and are used with permission. The paintings are linked to their gallery at The Council of Elrond.