The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Made in Valinor during the Years of the Trees; two were cast away in I 587; the last of the three still survives in the West
Origins
Created by Fëanor
Family
Pursued by the Sons of Fëanor
Pronunciation
The singular form Silmaril is pronounced 'si'lmaril'
Meaning
From words meaning 'shining' and 'brilliance'1
Other names
Note
Though often given using the English plural as Silmarils, the Elvish plural form Silmarilli is sometimes seen

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 31 January 1998
  • Updates planned: 11

Silmarils

The Great Jewels

The three great jewels made by Fëanor in Valinor, in which he locked the Llight of the Two Trees, Laurelin and Telperion, before their destruction. Melkor stole the jewels from Fëanor's stronghold at Formenos, slaying his father Finwë, and fled with them back to his fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth.

Fëanor swore an oath to recover the Silmarils, and many of the Noldor followed him into exile in pursuit of the jewels. So began their hopeless war against the forces of Morgoth, of which the Quenta Silmarillion (the 'History of the Silmarils') tells the story. During the First Age, one Silmaril alone was recovered from Morgoth's Iron Crown by Beren and Lúthien, and was borne by Eärendil when he sailed into the West to seek the aid of the Valar.

By virtue of the Silmaril, it is said, Eärendil reached Aman and was heard by the Valar, who sent a mighty force into Middle-earth. Morgoth was utterly defeated, and the Silmarils recovered. Maedhros and Maglor, the only two of Fëanor's seven sons to survive until that War of Wrath, stole the jewels from the camp of the Valar. Their evil deeds in pursuance of the jewels, however, drove them to madness; Maedhros cast himself into a fiery chasm with one of the Silmarils, and Maglor threw the other into the depths of the sea. So only one Silmaril remains visible in the world, bound to Eärendil's brow as he sails the heavens: the Morning and Evening Star.


Notes

1

The name Silmaril is said to derive from silima, the substance from which the Jewels were made, and ril, a root word meaning 'brilliance'. In turn silima literally means 'shining with silver light'.

See also...

Alcarinquë, Aman, Amrod, Anfauglir, Angainor, Angband, Angrist, Aranel, Aulë, Balrogs, Belegurth, Beren, Black Foe of the World, Black King, Camlost, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 31 January 1998
  • Updates planned: 11

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