The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Dated back to the Years of the Trees; evolved into other forms during the Second Age
Origins
First devised by Daeron of Doriath
Race
Devised by Elves, but most widely used (in modified form) among the Dwarves
Pronunciation
ke'rthas dy'ron ('dy' is pronounced like the English word 'dye')
Meaning
'Rune rows'1
Other names
A form of the Certhas or runes, also called the Angerthas, Certar or Cirth

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 18 October 2018
  • This entry is complete
Certhas Daeron
Angerthas Daeron
Angerthas Moria
Ereborian Cirth

The evolution of the Runes of the Third Age from Daeron's original Certhas. In fact, the Certhas Daeron gave rise to many more systems of writing than are shown here. This line of development is the only one fully attested, but a full diagram would show many dividing branches as the peoples of Middle-earth adapted the characters to their own use.

Runes devised by the loremaster Daeron of Doriath, originally intended solely for inscribing words from the Sindarin tongue. To meet the needs of other languages, it became necessary to expand and elaborate the original Certhas, and an adapted form known as the Angerthas Daeron was introduced. Tradition said that Daeron was responsible for this extension to his own work, though at least some of the later developments to the Certhas Daeron seem to have come from the Noldor of Eregion.


Notes

1

The word certhas, 'rune-rows', had its origins in Elvish cirth. Usually translated simply as 'runes', cirth derives from a root cir- meaning 'cut'. Thus the cirth (and so the Certhas Daeron) were named for the fact that they were symbols designed to be cut or carved into stone, wood or metal.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 18 October 2018
  • This entry is complete

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