Tolkien Encyclopedia > Powers > Maiar > Non-humanoid Intelligences > Spiders > Ungoliant > Names of Ungoliant
Names of Ungoliant
by Varda-(Valar)
July 25, 2004, updated Aug. 9, 2015
Gloomweaver
Gungliont
Gwerlum
Gwerlum the Black
Mordi
Morn
Móru
Muru
Primeval Night
Spider of Night - used in the story text
Ungoliant - (Silmarillion , index in BoLT I)
Ungoliont the spider - name given by the Noldo Elves
Ungwë - a name given by the Eldar
Ungweliant(ë)
Ungwellianti
Ungwë Lianti - the great spider that enmeshes, a
name given by the Eldar
Wirilómë or Gloomweaver - a name given by the Eldar
The Gnomish (later called Noldor) word-list gives the original
description of Ungoliant, where Muru is "a name of the Primeval Night
personified as Gwerlum or Gungliont." Then in the The Book of Lost Tales I: "The Theft
of Melko", she is referred to as the Primeval Spirit Móru. Here, the elf Lindo, tells that the people of Arda gave her many names. The Eldar call her Ungwë Lianti, meaning the great spider that enmeshes. They also call her Wirilómë
or Gloomweaver. From that name, the Noldor call her Ungoliont the
spider or Gwerlum the Black. Although these names are sometimes mixed
into the same paragraph during the Tale, they refer to the same being.1
Móru replaces
another name, probably Mordi. Móru is also read "Morn".3
References:
1. Book
of Lost Tales 1: "The Theft of Melko and the Darkening of Valinor" Text (Melko is an early form of the word for Melkor.)
2. Book
of Lost Tales 1: "The Theft of Melko and the Darkening of Valinor" "Notes: Changes made to names..."
3. Book
of Lost Tales 1: "The Theft of Melko and the Darkening of Valinor" "Notes: Commentary
4. Book of Lost Tales 1: Appendix: Names. Ungwë Lianti etymology given.
5. Book of Lost Tales 1: Index
6. Book of Lost Tales 1 names in the above list.
7. Silmarillion
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