High Ones of Arda

The Aratar, greatest among the Valar

"..in majesty they are peers, surpassing beyond compare all others, whether of the Valar and the Maiar, or of any other order..."

Of the Valar
Valaquenta
in The Silmarillion

A title of the eight most powerful of the Valar, a translation of the Elvish word Aratar (which literally means 'High Ones'). They were ruled by Manwë the Elder King, and their number included four other Lords of the Valar (Ulmo, Aulë, Mandos and Oromë) as well as three of the Valier or Queens of the Valar (Varda, Yavanna and Nienna).

In terms of inherent power, Melkor would also have belonged to the High Ones, and indeed he is said to have once been counted among the Aratar. Because of his rebellion and wars against the other Valar, he was no longer considered part of the order, so that the noble Aratar of Valinor numbered eight, rather than the original nine.

Manwë	The High King of Arda, and greatest of all the Valar
Varda	The Kindler of the stars, and spouse to Manwë, with whom she dwells on Taniquetil. Varda is more commonly known as Elbereth in Middle-earth.
Ulmo	Lord of the seas of Arda, Ulmo dwells apart from the other Valar in the depths of the Outer Sea.
Yavanna	Called the Giver of Fruits, the guardian of all growing things.
Aulë	The great Smith of the Valar and master of stone and metal, Aulë was the maker of the race of Dwarves.
Mandos	The Doomsman of the Valar, who keeps the spirits of the dead in his Halls in the west of Aman.
Nienna	The mistress of mourning, who weeps for Arda and the fate of its peoples in her halls on the western edge of the World.
Oromë	The Huntsman of the Valar, who travelled most often to Middle-earth, and who discovered the Elves there soon after they had awakened.

The eight Aratar, or High Ones of Arda. Originally, Melkor was also numbered among these powerful beings.

High Ones of Arda

The Aratar, greatest among the Valar

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