The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Devised in Valinor during the Years of the Trees1
Origins
Part of the Tengwar writing system invented by Rúmil, and further developed by Fëanor
Race
Created by Elves (but later used by other races)
Division
Culture
Pronunciation
te'htarr (ht is pronounced as in German 'nacht'; rr indicates that the final 'r' sound should be distinctly pronounced)
Meaning
'Marks, signs', from a root tek- meaning 'write' or 'draw'
Note
Tehtar is a plural term; an individual symbol of this kind was known as a tehta

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 15 December 2020
  • Updates planned: 1

Tehtar

Symbols associated with Fëanorian script

A series of signs and symbols used when writing with the tengwar, consisting of a variety of dots, curls and other marks written above or below Elvish letters. Most commonly, they were used to represent vowel-sounds, since Fëanorian script as it was commonly used did not provide characters to represent vowels.


Notes

1

We have a specific date for the invention of the Tengwar by Rúmil, some 3,075 years before the first rising of the Sun. It is not established, however, that the tehtar were part of this initial invention, and it seems very unlikely that they all appeared intact in the first iteration of the writing system. We know that the Tengwar evolved over time, most radically in their redevelopment by Fëanor, and the tehtar presumably followed a similar path of gradual adaptation and improvement.

See also...

Elf-letters

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 15 December 2020
  • Updates planned: 1

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