The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Originated millennia before the first rising of the Moon and Sun1
Location
Aman, but a large part of the Noldor later returned to Middle-earth
Origins
Eldar who completed the Great Journey and saw the Light of the Two Trees
Race
Divisions
Vanyar, Noldor, and a part of the Teleri
Culture
Primarily Elves of Valinor, but also including the Falmari, who dwelt on the shores outside Valinor proper
Settlements
The main cities of the Elves of the Light were Tirion and Alqualondë
Meaning
A reference to the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor, which shone during the time these Elves travelled into the West
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 29 May 2021
  • This entry is complete
Quendi
(All Elves)
Eldar
Vanyar
Noldor
Teleri
Falmari
Sindar
Nandor
Avari

The main branches of the Elves, with the branches that formed the Elves of the Light shown in bold text. All of the Vanyar and Noldor went into the West, but only a part of the Teleri completed the Great Journey, becoming known as the Falmari.

Those Elves known as the Calaquendi, who had looked on the light of the Two Trees of Valinor before their Darkening. These were the Vanyar, the Noldor and that part of the Teleri that had travelled West from Middle-earth. Elu Thingol was also considered an Elf of the Light, because although he never completed the Great Journey, he had travelled to Valinor and back before the Eldar set out from Cuiviénen.


Notes

1

According to dating from the Annals of Aman in volume X of The History of Middle-earth, the first Elves of the Light (the ambassadors Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë) made the journey to Aman during the Years of the Trees, some 3,800 years before the first rising of the Moon and Sun. At their advice, many of the other Elves embarked on the Great Journey to become Elves of the Light themselves, a process that took approximately five centuries to complete.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 29 May 2021
  • This entry is complete

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