The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Occurred with the beginning of the Years of the Sun
Location
Origins
An awakening of living things from the Sleep placed on them by Yavanna
Pronunciation
Arda is pronounced 'a'rrda' (the 'r' sound should be pronounced - 'rr' is used here to emphasise this)
Meaning
Arda literally means 'realm' (that is, the realm of Manwë the Elder King) or more simply 'the world'

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About this entry:

  • Updated 11 July 2016
  • This entry is complete

Second Spring of Arda

The emergence from the Sleep of Yavanna

When the Valar had completed their labours in the making of Arda, they rested on Almaren as the life of Arda began to grow beneath the light of the Lamps of the Valar in an ancient time of plenty known as the Spring of Arda. When Melkor emerged and overthrew the Lamps, Middle-earth was plunged into darkness, and the Valar departed across the Great Sea to Aman. To protect the abandoned growing things of Middle-earth, Yavanna placed them into a Sleep that would hold them ageless until the time came for their growth to resume.

The Sleep of Yavanna lasted across Middle-earth through the long Years of the Trees, a period of nearly fifteen thousand years as time would be measured by the Sun. While Aman was lit by the shining Light of the Trees, Middle-earth lay under permanent starlight. Only in Beleriand, where the Maia Melian dwelt with King Thingol in Doriath, did the Sleep relent and growth resume east of the Great Sea.

After the Darkening of Valinor and the loss of the Two Trees, the Valar sent out two great vessels carry the Moon and Sun into the sky and bring light to all of Arda. With the first coming of sunlight to Middle-earth, the Sleep of Yavanna reached its end, and the growing things across the world came to life once more. This reawakening of life at the first rising of the Sun is the time known as the Second Spring of Arda.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 11 July 2016
  • This entry is complete

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