The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
The Two Trees began to shine soon after the coming of the Valar to Valinor; they were destroyed shortly before the first rising of the Sun (a period of approximately 14,000 years)1
Location
The Trees grew on the mound of Ezellohar, to the west of Valmar, and shed their Light across Aman
Origins
The Trees were made by Yavanna, and watered by the tears of Nienna
Race
Created by Ainur
Division
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 2 April 2022
  • This entry is complete

Light of the Trees

The silver and golden Light of Aman

The Light that shone from Telperion and Laurelin, the Trees of Silver and Gold, during the glorious Noontide of Valinor. The colour and intensity of the Light shifted as the Trees waxed and waned: sometimes it was the silver of Telperion, sometimes the gold of Laurelin, and sometimes a mingling of the two.

The Light of the Two Trees did more than simply illuminate the land of the Valar, it conveyed a recognisable blessing and power on the inhabitants of the land. That blessing remained for a time even outside Aman, so that when the Valar and Ainur travelled to Middle-earth, it continued to shine from their faces. Even the Noldor, after they exiled themselves from Valinor, still showed the Light of Aman in their eyes for a time after their return to Middle-earth.


Notes

1

In volume X of The History of Middle-earth, the chronicle titled The Annals of Aman gives precise dates for the time when the Two Trees shone in Valinor. According to that source, the period from their creation to their Darkening lasted for a total of 1,495 Valian Years. There are various ways to convert Valian Years into solar years, but using the most typical approach, this would equate to some 14,325 years of the Sun.

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About this entry:

  • Updated 2 April 2022
  • This entry is complete

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