Manwë
Manwe was the King of the Valar. He was officially recognized as the King of Arda. He was the highest of the Valar in terms of authority. He was the husband of Varda and the brother of the Dark Lord Melkor. Manwe and Varda lived in Great Halls on the peak of Taniquetil in the far west, on the continent of Aman. Manwe's home Taniquetil was the highest mountain in Arda. The mansions of Manwe and Varda were called Ilmaren. Manwe's servants were air and wind themselves. Manwe was a kind and compassionate ruler and he did not misuse his power.
Manwe had fair skin and blue eyes and he wore long, blue robes. He bore a sceptre called the Sceptre of Sapphire, a mighty token given to him by the Noldorin Elves. Manwe's favorite group of Elves were the Vanyarin Elves because of their purity, and many came to live with Manwe and Varda on Taniquetil.
Manwe was the second eldest of the Ainur, with only his brother Melkor predating his creation. Manwe was one of the Ainur who was closely associated with Eru Iluvatar himself, and Manwe understood and could carry out the will of Eru. When Melkor began weaving strange thoughts into his song during the Music of the Ainur at the beginning of time, Manwe took lead of the main Theme and brought the Ainur back to the original Theme of Iluvatar. The Music of the Ainur ultimately created the material universe of Ea, and in this universe the world of Arda was made. When the Valar came to live in this world, Manwe was appointed the ruler of Arda and was universally known as the Elder King. Manwe was a strong and valiant ruler with few weaknesses.
Manwe's main weakness was that he did not understand evil. He did not comprehend his brother Melkor, and he could not understand why Melkor desired power so greatly. This lack of understanding made it difficult for Manwe to fight off his evil brother, and it thus allowed Melkor to survive. Manwe pitied his brother when he was imprisoned in Valmar, the city of the Valar, and he allowed him to get out of prison after three ages. Melkor quickly escaped Valmar and began corrupting Elves including the Noldor, and caused a revolt of the Noldor and the death of Finwe. Melkor stole Feanor's Silmarils and escaped to Middle-Earth after destroying the Two Trees, all because of his brother's pity and misunderstanding of evil.
To please the Eldar whom Manwe believed had been wronged, Manwe ordered Aule to create the vessels of the Sun and Moon to light the skies of Arda. At the end of the War of Wrath, Manwe himself cast Melkor into the Void outside of the world, and he shut Melkor behind the Doors of Night.
According to the prophecy of Mandos, Melkor would escape from the Void at the end of time. Manwe and his brother would battle on the plains of Valinor, but both would be left unscathed.
Manwe had fair skin and blue eyes and he wore long, blue robes. He bore a sceptre called the Sceptre of Sapphire, a mighty token given to him by the Noldorin Elves. Manwe's favorite group of Elves were the Vanyarin Elves because of their purity, and many came to live with Manwe and Varda on Taniquetil.
Manwe was the second eldest of the Ainur, with only his brother Melkor predating his creation. Manwe was one of the Ainur who was closely associated with Eru Iluvatar himself, and Manwe understood and could carry out the will of Eru. When Melkor began weaving strange thoughts into his song during the Music of the Ainur at the beginning of time, Manwe took lead of the main Theme and brought the Ainur back to the original Theme of Iluvatar. The Music of the Ainur ultimately created the material universe of Ea, and in this universe the world of Arda was made. When the Valar came to live in this world, Manwe was appointed the ruler of Arda and was universally known as the Elder King. Manwe was a strong and valiant ruler with few weaknesses.
Manwe's main weakness was that he did not understand evil. He did not comprehend his brother Melkor, and he could not understand why Melkor desired power so greatly. This lack of understanding made it difficult for Manwe to fight off his evil brother, and it thus allowed Melkor to survive. Manwe pitied his brother when he was imprisoned in Valmar, the city of the Valar, and he allowed him to get out of prison after three ages. Melkor quickly escaped Valmar and began corrupting Elves including the Noldor, and caused a revolt of the Noldor and the death of Finwe. Melkor stole Feanor's Silmarils and escaped to Middle-Earth after destroying the Two Trees, all because of his brother's pity and misunderstanding of evil.
To please the Eldar whom Manwe believed had been wronged, Manwe ordered Aule to create the vessels of the Sun and Moon to light the skies of Arda. At the end of the War of Wrath, Manwe himself cast Melkor into the Void outside of the world, and he shut Melkor behind the Doors of Night.
According to the prophecy of Mandos, Melkor would escape from the Void at the end of time. Manwe and his brother would battle on the plains of Valinor, but both would be left unscathed.
Names & Meanings
Manwë is Quenya for "blessed one" from man meaning "blessed" and wë meaning "one" or "person." Manwe was also known as Mānawenūz, which is a translation of his name into Valarin, the Eldest Speech. Manwe's epithet is Súlimo, which means "blower," referring to Manwe's control over the wind. Manwe's Sindarin name is Aran Einior, meaning "elder king." His Adunaic name is Amân. Manwe was also known by the common names Elder King, High King of Arda, Lord of the Breath of Arda, and Lord of the West.
Because of his relationship and affiliation with the sky, Manwe was probably inspired by the Greek god Zeus/Roman god Jupiter. Like Zeus and Jupiter, Manwe was represented by an eagle.
Because of his relationship and affiliation with the sky, Manwe was probably inspired by the Greek god Zeus/Roman god Jupiter. Like Zeus and Jupiter, Manwe was represented by an eagle.
References
The History of Middle-earth, Volume IV, The Shaping of Middle-earth: "The Quenta," passim
Parma Eldalamberon XIV (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden): "Early Quenya and the Valmaric Script," page 12.
Parma Eldalamberon XIV (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden): "Early Quenya and the Valmaric Script," page 12.
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