Dates
Ungoliant was very ancient, though no certain dates are known; she 'went whither she would into the forgotten south of the world' at about the time of the first rising of the Moon and Sun1Locations
Originally spun webs in the glooms of Avathar; after passing into Middle-earth she remained for a time in Ered Gorgoroth before passing into the distant South Race
Apparently an ancient spirit akin to the AinurPronunciation
oongo'liant
Meaning
'Gloomweaver'2
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 19 July 1998
- Updates planned: 5
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Ungoliant
Ancient ally of Melkor
The evil creature of spider-form who was Melkor's accomplice in the Darkening of Valinor, and who fled with him to Middle-earth. The creatures that infested Ered Gorgoroth were her offspring and descendants, as was Shelob who dwelt on the borders of Mordor.
Notes
1 |
This quote comes from The Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor, which also tells us '...some have said that she ended long ago, when in her uttermost famine she devoured herself at last'.
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2 |
Ultimately from ungwë liante. 'Gloomweaver' is Tolkien's preferred rendering, but 'Gloom spider' seems to be a more literal translation. In Elvish, 'weaver' and 'spider' are closely related words, and in English too: 'spider', 'spindle' and 'spinner' all share a common ancestry. |
See also...
Aman, Anar, Avathar, Balrogs, Bridge of Esgalduin, Cloud of Ungoliant, Corollairë, Coron Oiolairë, Culúrien, Darkening of Valinor, Days of Bliss, Dimbar, Eärendil, Echoing Hills, Elu Thingol, [See the full list...]Ered Gorgoroth, Ered Lómin, Fëanor, Fords of Aros, Golden Tree, Great Echo, Green Mound, Grinding Ice, Guarded Realm, Hyarmentir, Jewels of Fëanor, Lament for the Two Trees, Lammoth, Maiar, Malinalda, Mountains of Terror, Narrow Ice, Nienna, Oiomúrë, Opening Hour, Pass of Light, River Mindeb, Shelob, Spiders, Telperion, The Great, The Sheen, The Watcher, Three Jewels, Trees of Silver and Gold, Two Trees of the Valar, Two Trees of Valinor, Unchaining of Melkor, Unlight, Valley of Dreadful Death, Valmar, Wells of Varda, Years of the Sun, Years of the Trees
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 19 July 1998
- Updates planned: 5
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