The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Originally seen by Durin during the First Age, but still visible at the end of the Third
Location
Reflections seen in the lake Khelez-zâram near the East-gate of Moria
Race
Division
Culture
Family
Durin and his House
Settlements
Associated with the founding of Khazad-dûm
Source
Kheled-zâram was the source of the river Kibil-nâla (otherwise known as Celebrant or Silverlode)
Important peaks
Seen in a lake overshadowed by the Mountains of Moria
Pronunciation
Durin is pronounced 'doo'rin'

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 11 March 2020
  • This entry is complete

Crown of Durin

Seven stars mirrored by the Mirrormere

"He stooped and looked in Mirrormere,
And saw a crown of stars appear,
As gems upon a silver thread,
Above the shadow of his head.
"
From Gimli's chant in Moria
The Fellowship of the Ring II 4
A Journey in the Dark

A group of seven stars mysteriously reflected from the surface of the lake of Kheled-zâram (also called the Mirrormere), even when the Sun was shining in the sky above the lake. In the ancient days of the First Age, they were glimpsed by Durin the Deathless, who took them as a sign to settle in the Misty Mountains that rose above the lake, and so Khazad-dûm was founded. The seven-starred crown became an emblem of the House of Durin, and was prominent among the inscriptions on the West-gate of Moria.

It's unclear whether the stars of the Crown of Durin represented a real constellation. Some sources suggest a link with the Plough or Big Dipper (on the basis that it is made up of seven prominent stars) but there's no direct evidence to support this connection. Another possibility would be the Northern Crown, Corona Borealis, which is also made up of seven stars, but in a curving crown-like chain. That would fit Gimli's description of 'gems upon a silver thread' rather better than the Plough, and also matches the crescent shape of stars shown on the Doors of Durin to some extent. It's also possible that Durin's Crown wasn't connected to any real stars at all, and that the Crown reflected by the Mirrormere was a unique effect unrelated to the actual stars of the sky.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 11 March 2020
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2010, 2020. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Your Free Personality Test, the free personality test online
Get real insights into who you are. Try a free personality test from Your Free Personality Test today.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry