The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Emerged after c. III 10501
Location
Found among the treetops of Mirkwood
Origins
Turned black in colour either by the spreading Shadow of Dol Guldur, or as camouflage against the darkness of the Mirkwood
Species
A variety of butterfly, related to the purple emperor (Apatura iris)
Meaning
Derived from the real butterfly named 'purple emperor', to which the black emperor was similar except in colouration

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 26 November 2014
  • This entry is complete

Black Emperor

A variety of butterfly found in Mirkwood

Several of the creatures living in the darkness of Mirkwood had acquired dark colouration, from squirrels to moths, and the butterflies living in the treetops were no exception. These butterflies seem to have been related to the 'purple emperor', a real type of butterfly with patterned wings of white and iridescent blue. The 'black emperors' of Mirkwood had no such markings, with their wings showing instead as plain and black. They were prey to the many spiders that lurked among the trees of the Forest.


Notes

1

The black colour of these butterflies' wings appeared in response to the coming of the Shadow in Mirkwood, which was first seen in about III 1050.

See also...

Butterflies

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 26 November 2014
  • This entry is complete

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