Character Bios
Valar
Meaning: the Powers of the World
Other Names: the Great Ones, the Holy Ones, the Lords of the West, the Aratar, gods
Location(s): Eä, Arda, Aman, Valinor
Race/Species: Ainur
Type/Kind: Vala
Title(s): Lords of the West
Parents: Eru Ilúvatar (creator)
Description:
"There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made."
"Thus it came to pass that of the Ainur some abode still with Ilúvatar beyond the confines of the World; but others, and among them many of the greatest and most fair, took the leave of Ilúvatar and descended into it. But this condition Ilúvatar made, or it is the necessity of their love, that their power should thenceforward be contained and bounded in the World, to be within it for ever, until it is complete, so that they are its life and it is theirs. And therefore they are named the Valar, the Power of the World."
The Silmarillion, Ainulindalë, The Music of the Ainur
Valar (plural), Vala (singular)
Lords of the Valar
Manwë - Lord of the Breath of Arda (first of all Kings, lord of the realm of Arda), surnamed Súlimo; spouse to Varda
Ulmo - Lord of the Waters, King of the Sea
Aulë - who has lordship over all the substances of which Arda is made; spouse to Yavanna
Oromë - Lord of the Forests, also called Aldaron or Tauron; spouse to Vána; sibiling to Nessa
Mandos - true name is Námo, Keeper of the Houses of the Dead, the Doomsman of the Valar; spouse to Vairë; sibling to Irmo (Lórien) and Nienna
Lórien - true name is Irmo, the master of visions and dreams; spouse to Estë; sibling to Námo (Mandos) and Nienna
Tulkas - the Valiant, surnamed Astaldo; spouse to Nessa
Queens of the Valar
Varda - Lady of the Stars, also called Elbereth (Star-Queen), who among the Valar is the one most beloved by the Elves; spouse to Manwë
Yavanna - Giver of Fruits, surnamed Kementári (Queen of the Earth); spouse to Aulë; sibling to Vána
Nienna - "all those in Mandos cry to her, for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom"; sister of the Fëanturi (Námo and Irmo)
Estë - the gentle, healer of hurts and weariness
Vairë - the Weaver, who weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs; spouse to Námo (Mandos)
Vána - the Ever-Young, "All flowers spring as she passes and open if she glances upon them; and all birds sing at her coming."; spouse to Oromë; sibling to Yavanna
Nessa - lithe and fleetfooted; spouse to Tulkas
The Silmarillion, Valaquenta
(Note: In The Shaping of Middle-earth, there are Nine Valar, with differing "family" relationships.)
Contributors:
Ying, 01.08.03; Loquacious. 01.03.03; added Lords of the West: Elena Tiriel 13Nov04