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Things of Middle-earth

Emblems of Elendil, The

Type: Miscellaneous

Description:

Banner Emblems

Star, as emblem: ... Seven stars of Elendil and his captains ... originally represented the single stars on the banners of each of seven ships (of 9) that bore a palantír ... in Gondor the seven stars were set about a white-flowered tree, over which the Kings set a winged crown. ... had five [rays] ...

The Return of the King, LoTR, Index

But Elendil did all that his father [Amandil] had bidden, and his ships lay off the east coast of the land; and the Faithful put aboard their wives and their children, and their heirlooms, and great store of goods. Many things there were of beauty and power, such as the Númenóreans had contrived in the days of their wisdom, vessels and jewels, and scrolls of lore written in scarlet and black. And Seven Stones they had, the gift of the Eldar; but in the ship of Isildur was guarded the young tree, the scion of Nimloth the Fair.

The Silmarillion, Akallabêth

The Guards of the gate were robed in black.... Upon the black surcoats were embroidered in white a tree blossoming like snow beneath a silver crown and many-pointed stars. This was the livery of the heirs of Elendil, and none wore it now in all Gondor, save the Guards of the Citadel before the Court of the Fountain where the White Tree once had grown.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

... and behold! upon the foremost ship a great standard broke, and the wind displayed it as she turned towards the Harlond. There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a high crown above it, the signs of Elendil that no lord had borne for years beyond count. And the stars flamed in the sunlight, for they were wrought of gems ... and the crown was bright in the morning, for it was wrought of mithril and gold.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 6, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields


Seal Emblem

Then Cirion went up the stair with Eorl and the others followed; and when they came to the summit they saw there a wide oval place of level turf, unfenced, but at its eastern end there stood a low mound.... Then the Lord of Dol Amroth ... went towards the mound and saw, lying on the grass before it and yet unmarred by weed or weather, a black stone; and on the stone three letters were engraved. Then he said to Cirion: "Is this then a tomb? But what great man of old lies here?"

"Have you not read the letters?"* said Cirion.

"I have," said the Prince, "and therefore I wonder; for the letters are lambe, amdo, lambe, but there is no tomb for Elendil, nor has any man since his day dared to use that name."

"Nonetheless this is his tomb," said Cirion; "and from it comes the awe that dwells on this hill and in the woods below.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: Cirion and Eorl

* The letters were ... (L • ND • L): Elendil's name without vowel marks, which he used as a badge, and a device upon his seal [Author's note.]

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: Notes, Note 40

Contributors: Elena Tiriel 28Jul04; added quote: ET 27Oct04

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