The Ainur are the Holy Ones, spirits created by
Eru, called the Valar and Maiar.
Each had his or her own part and sang solo or in
pairs, until Eru
had them sing in harmony to create a vision of the world of Arda, not
showing them the ending. The vision so enchanted them that many,
including the most powerful, entered the formlessness and tried to make
it material, each taking his
or her part of the song of Arda, learning to harmonize their efforts
partly
due to the discord of Melkor. It will become perfect only after the
Last
Battle, when all the singers are present and understand the vision at
last.
The most powerful members of the Ainur are called
the Valar, and meet together in the Council of Mahanaxar. Of these, the
greatest are called the Aratar, numbering nine until the fall of
Melkor. These High Ones of Arda are Manwe and Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna and
Aule, Mandos, Nienna, and Orome. In majesty they are peers, beyond all
others. The Lords of the Valar are seven, in order: Manwe, Ulmo, Aule,
Orome, Mandos/Namo, Lorien/Irmo, and Tulkas. The Queens of the Valar
are also seven, and in order: Varda,
Yavanna, Nienna, Este, Vaire, Vana, and Nessa.
The Maiar are less powerful Ainur who aligned
themselves with whichever Vala most suited their interests, sometimes
more than one or switching. A Maia
aids the chosen Vala in that portion of Arda of which he or she sang
into being and maintains. Thus Osse, whose interest is in the sea
waters near shore and in ocean storms, aids Ulmo, who is the Vala of
all waters including the sea. On the other
side, the Balrogs aid Melkor whose might attracted them, staying with
him
as his ethics slowly changed and twisted theirs as well.
In earlier works and notes, the Valar were capable
of having children who might be considered Valar as well. For instance
Eonwe and Ilmare were earlier called the son and daughter of Manwe and
Varda.
In the Silmarillion,
Valar had no children and these were considerd Maiar. See the Maiar
page
for further information.
Ainur is plural; Ainu is singular.
The word "Valar" is plural and may refer to both
male and female. When used in showing gender, the plural "Valar" is the
masculine form and "Valier" is the feminine form. "Vala" and "Valie"
are the
singular
forms.