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Location
In the sky
Origins
Created by Varda more than three Ages before the first rising of the Moon and Sun
Pronunciation
wi'lwarin
Meaning
'Butterfly"
Other names
Possibly refers to the constellation known today as Cassiopeia1

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 20 November 2020
  • This entry is complete

Wilwarin

The butterfly of the stars

One of the many bright stars and constellations placed in the heavens by Varda to welcome the Elves into Arda (from which she took her name Tintallë, the Kindler). The name Wilwarin means 'butterfly', though it isn't clear which of today's constellations corresponded to this ancient star-pattern. Christopher Tolkien suggests that Cassiopeia might be a candidate for the star-butterfly, and indeed its 'W' shape seems a reasonable match for the name.


Notes

1

Cassiopeia is Christopher Tolkien's suggestion, and does indeed seem the most likely identity for Wilwarin the Butterfly. There is in fact a real star-pattern known as 'The Butterfly', a group of stars in the constellation of Hercules. This modern formation is relatively faint and unremarkable, whereas Wilwarin and its fellow star-shapes were said to be bright and prominent in the sky, so the shared name appears to be a simple coincidence.

See also...

Butterflies, Telumendil

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 20 November 2020
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2004, 2020. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

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Wilwarin

The butterfly of the stars

Location
In the sky
Origins
Created by Varda more than three Ages before the first rising of the Moon and Sun
Pronunciation
wi'lwarin
Meaning
'Butterfly"
Other names
Possibly refers to the constellation known today as Cassiopeia1

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 20 November 2020
  • This entry is complete

Wilwarin

The butterfly of the stars

One of the many bright stars and constellations placed in the heavens by Varda to welcome the Elves into Arda (from which she took her name Tintallë, the Kindler). The name Wilwarin means 'butterfly', though it isn't clear which of today's constellations corresponded to this ancient star-pattern. Christopher Tolkien suggests that Cassiopeia might be a candidate for the star-butterfly, and indeed its 'W' shape seems a reasonable match for the name.


Notes

1

Cassiopeia is Christopher Tolkien's suggestion, and does indeed seem the most likely identity for Wilwarin the Butterfly. There is in fact a real star-pattern known as 'The Butterfly', a group of stars in the constellation of Hercules. This modern formation is relatively faint and unremarkable, whereas Wilwarin and its fellow star-shapes were said to be bright and prominent in the sky, so the shared name appears to be a simple coincidence.

See also...

Butterflies, Telumendil

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 20 November 2020
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2004, 2020. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Axiom Discovery aptitude and skill testing.
Personality is one part of understanding a candidate's suitability, but aptitudes and skills are also key.