A reference to the White Tree Galathilion that stood in the courts of Tirion in the Pass of Light. Made in the image of Telperion by Yavanna herself, this tree was later used as an emblem of the High Elves, at least in Middle-earth. Most notably, it appeared on the Doors of Durin at the western entrance to Moria. On those Doors, the tree was depicted twice, as a mirrored pair of images. Those images showed Galathilion with its branches decked with crescent Moons, to represent its connection to Telperion, whose last flower had been used to form the Moon itself.

Notes

The original Tree of Tirion, Galathilion, was created for the Elves by Yavanna during the Years of the Trees, long before the Sun and Moon were created (and indeed it presumably still exists in Aman beyond the Sea). It is far less certain which of the High Elves began to use it as an emblem, or when they did so. The appearance of the Tree of the High Elves on the Doors of Durin is our only specific instance of the Tree as a symbol (dating from about II 750 to about II 1700). It is notable that Legolas immediately recognised the Tree of the High Elves when he saw the West-gate of Moria at the end of the Third Age. So, either it was still being used as late as the War of the Ring, or it was so historically significant that it could be easily identified even after millennia.

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Updated 29 March 2025
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