Ilmarë

Tolkien Encyclopedia > Powers > Lost Valar > Maiar > Ilmarë

Article: Ilmarë by Ilmarë-(Valar)-ex
Article: Ilmarë's Relatives by Varda-(Valar)
Article: Ilmarë by Varda-(Valar)
Images of Ilmarë

Ilmarë

by Ilmarë-(Valar)-ex
January 19, 1999

    Ilmarë was among the most powerful of the Maiar. She was the handmaiden of Varda and lived in the highness of the sky. Eönwë, the herald of Manwë, was her brother. These two were the eldest of the children of the Valar. Eönwë was a mighty warrior but Ilmarë wasn't even interested in anything that concerned war. She was first named Erinti, then Ilmar, then Ilmarë.
    I see Ilmarë as a serene and delicate personality. The Eldar considered her as one of the loveliest of the Maiar. She maybe wasn't interested in war, but she was certainly very powerful. To conclude, I think Ilmarë was jovial, warm, fervent, but wasn't the kind of girl to upset.

References: Silmarillion, Book of Lost Tales

Ilmarë's Relatives

by Varda-(Valar)

    As Erinti, she was sister to Ómar/Amillo and Salmar, and was Valië of love, music, and beauty. The three were the only Valar to leave Valinor and went to Tol Eressëa.
    Then she was re-written as the daughter of Manwë and Varda, sister of Eönwë.
    In the Silmarillion, she was retained as, Ilmarë, the Maia guardian of the stars in her work as Varda's handmaiden.
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Ilmarë

by Varda -(Valar)
January 20, 1999

    Tolkien considered calling Ilmarë and Eönwë the children of Manwë and Varda. This did not make it into the Silmarillion, as he seems to have decided that such beings did not have children. It does not specifically say, however, that the Valar had no children. All it really says on this is:

    "Chief among the Maiar of Valinor whose names are remembered in the histories of the Elder Days are Ilmarë, the
      handmaid of Varda, and Eönwë..."
            --"Valaquenta" Silmarillion JRRT

An interesting but unreferenced comment from David Day (therefore non-canon unless we find a corraborating Tolkien reference) suggests that Ilmarë handles part of the lightning:

    "Ilmarë, who throws down her spears of light from the night sky, is chief of the Maiar maids. She is also handmaid
     to Varda, the Star Queen."
            --"Maiar" Tolkien, the Illustrated Encyclopedia by David Day

References: Silmarillion, Book of Lost Tales, Tolkien, the Illustrated Encyclopedia 
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Images of Ilmarë

Image: "Ilmarë". Artist: Natalia Nikitin. Rolozo Tolkien page
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