Varda
Queen of the Valar. Varda was the wife of Manwe, the King of the Valar, and was thus the Queen of the Valar herself. Varda was the created of the stars by using the dews of the vats of Teleperion, one of the Two Trees. Varda lived with her husband in mansions at the peak of Taniquetil in the far west. Varda was said to be too beautiful to be described, and her face glowed with the light of Iluvatar himself. Because of her beauty and skill, it was said that the Elves worshipped and celebrated Varda more than any other Vala.
During the Music of the Ainur at the beginning of time, Varda sensed Melkor's discord and she began to despise him. This led Melkor to hate and fear her the most out of the Valar. When Varda and Manwe settled in Arda, they built themselves a home in Valinor atop Taniquetil, the highest mountain in Arda. This mountain was located in Ilmarin. Varda had two Maiar: Ilmare and Olorin.
During the Music of the Ainur at the beginning of time, Varda sensed Melkor's discord and she began to despise him. This led Melkor to hate and fear her the most out of the Valar. When Varda and Manwe settled in Arda, they built themselves a home in Valinor atop Taniquetil, the highest mountain in Arda. This mountain was located in Ilmarin. Varda had two Maiar: Ilmare and Olorin.
Names & Meanings
Varda means "lofty" in Quenya. Varda's Sindarin name is Elbereth and her Telerin name is Baradis. Varda's name was translated into Adunaic by the Numenoreans, and they translated her name as Avradî. She was also known as Elentári, meaning "Star-queen," and Tintallë, meaning "Star-kindler." Numerous epithets have been given to Varda, such as The Kindler, Lady of the Stars, Queen of the Stars, and Snow-white.
References
The History of Middle-earth, Volume V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," page 351
The Road Goes Ever On by J.R.R. Tolkien and Donald Swann: "A Elbereth Gilthoniel"
The Road Goes Ever On by J.R.R. Tolkien and Donald Swann: "A Elbereth Gilthoniel"
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