The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Between 22 October and 20 November on a modern (Gregorian) calendar
Race
Culture
Pronunciation
blo'dmath
Meaning
'Blood month'
Other names
Blommath, Blooting, Blotmath; the Mannish months of Hísimë and Hithui also corresponded closely with Blodmath, without being directly related

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About this entry:

  • Updated 8 May 2023
  • This entry is complete

Blodmath

A variation on the Shire month of Blotmath

Blotmath was the eleventh month of the Shire Calendar, and derives ultimately from the Old English blōtmōnaþ. That word translates literally as 'sacrifice-month', because the Saxons would make sacrifices in the hope of lessening the hardship of winter. The Old English words for 'sacrifice' (blōt) and 'blood' (blōd) seem to be etymologically connected, and the variant pronunciation Blodmath (which would be 'blood month') reflects this connection.

Of course, there's no implication that the Shire-hobbits themselves took part in sacrifices of any kind: Blodmath and its related names are merely taken from the Old English calendar as a convenient translation for the actual Westron names that would be used in the Shire itself.


See also...

Blommath

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 8 May 2023
  • This entry is complete

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