Vala (Middle-earth)

In J. R. R. Tolkien's mythology, the Valar (singular Vala) are the Powers of Arda, or direct representatives of Eru Ilúvatar (God).

Origin and acts

Before the creation of Eä (the universe) Eru created the Ainur, spirits comparable to the angels. It is through the Music of the Ainur or Ainulindalë that the universe is created, with Arda (the world) at its centre.

After the Creation a number of the Ainur decided to enter Eä. Eru, by self-set limitations, would not interfere with Arda in any way and as such the further shaping and governing of Arda was left to these Ainur. The greatest of their number, Melkor, wanted to claim Arda for himself. In response Manwë and twelve others of the most powerful decided to contest him, becoming known as the Valar, or The Powers. With them came many lesser Ainur, known as Maiar. Eventually and with the aid of the Vala Tulkas, who entered Arda last, Melkor was temporarily overthrown and the Valar began shaping the world.

The Valar dwelt originally on the Isle of Almaren in the middle of the world, but after its destruction and the loss of the world's symmetry, they moved to the western continent of Aman and founded Valinor. The war with Melkor continued, with the Valar creating and Melkor destroying, until the time of the Awakening of the Elves drew near. To ensure they would survive the Valar ended the wars by capturing Melkor.

With the Elves present in the world and later in Valinor, a new phase of the regency of the Valar began. Middle-earth and the eastern continent were mostly abandoned, and the Valar focused on Aman, creating with the Two Trees their greatest accomplishment.

After the events of the destruction of the Trees and the exile of the Ñoldor to Middle-earth the Valar closed off Valinor to the rest of the world, and for the remainder of the First Age only Ulmo would concern himself with the world outside. This inaction temporarily ended with the War of Wrath: in the process the Morgoth (Melkor) was defeated, the lands were changed, and the Elves were recalled to Valinor. Notably however the Valar themselves stayed out of the war, only sending emissaries of the ranks of the Maiar and aiding the Elves.

During the Second Age the Valar's main deeds were the creation of Númenor as a refuge for the Edain, who were denied access to Aman but given free reign of the rest of the world. Middle-earth was left abandoned by the Valar, with even Ulmo no longer giving aid, allowing for the rise of the Morgoth's lieutenant, Sauron, to power as a new Dark Lord. Near the end of the Second Age Sauron convinced the Númenóreans to attack Aman itself.

Then Manwë upon the Mountain called upon Ilúvatar, and for that time the Valar laid down their government of Arda. —Akallabêth, The Silmarillion.

With the Akallabêth the Valar were removed from power by Eru Ilúvatar, and Aman was removed from the world. With this the Valar's influence on the world was ended, and in the Third Age their only deeds would be to send the Istari to Middle-earth.

Names

These are the names of the Valar as they were known to the Eldar. In Middle-earth, they were known by other names of Sindarin origin; for example they called Varda Elbereth. Men knew them by many other names, and sometimes worshipped them as Gods. The Dwarves called Aulë, their creator, Mahal. It should be noted that, with the exception of Oromë, the names listed below are not actual names but rather titles: the true names of the Valar are nowhere recorded. Male Valar are called "Lords of the Valar"; females are called "Queens of the Valar," or Valier.

Lords of the Valar

Manwë Súlimo, King of the Valar
Ulmo, King of the Sea
Aulë, the Smith
Oromë Aldaron, the Great Rider
Námo (Mandos), Judge of the Dead
Irmo (Lórien), Master of Dreams and Desires
Tulkas Astaldo, Champion of Valinor

Queens of the Valar (Valier)

Varda Elentári, Queen of the Stars, wife of Manwë
Yavanna Kementári (Palùrien), Giver of Fruits, wife of Aulë
Nienna, Lady of Mercy
Estë the Gentle
Vairë the Weaver
Vána the Ever-young
Nessa the Dancer

The Enemy

Melkor, also known as Morgoth

Other names

The Aratar (Sindarin: Exalted) or High Ones of Arda are the eight greatest of the Valar: Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna, Aulë, Mandos, Nienna, and Oromë. Melkor, the most powerful of all, is not counted among them.

Lórien and Mandos are brothers and are referred to collectively as the Fëanturi or "Masters of Spirits".

Relationships between the Valar

Ilúvatar brought the Valar (and all of the Ainur) into being by his thought, and may therefore be considered their father. However, not all of the Valar are siblings; where this is held to be so it is because they are so "in the thought of Ilúvatar".

It was the Valar who first practiced marriage, and later passed on their custom to the Elves; all the Valar had spouses, save Nienna, Ulmo and of course, Melkor. However only one such marriage among the Valar took place within the world, that of Tulkas and Nessa after the raising of the Two Lamps.

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