Númenor was surrounded by the Great Sea, but it was close to the island of the Elves, Tol Eressëa that lay to the West. In Númenor's early history, the Elves of Eressëa would frequently visit the isle of the Dúnedain, bringing with them gifts that included plants and trees. One of these was a fragrant evergreen that the Elves called oiolairë, that by custom they set on the prows of their ships in recognition of the Maiar of the Sea. The Númenóreans took up this practice, too, and ships leaving the island would each bear a Green Bough of Return - a bough cut from the Elven-tree oiolairë.
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 25 January 2013
- This entry is complete
For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.
Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2000, 2012-2013. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.
Website services kindly sponsored by myDISCprofile, the free online personality test.
Explore the benefits of using a personality profile to discover yourself and make the most of your career.