Changes: Aman

Revision as of 00:35, 6 March 2020

Location of Aman in Arda

Aman (Quenya; IPA: [ˈaman]; "blessed realm") was a continent that lay west of Middle-earth, across the great ocean Belegaer. It was the home of the Valar, and three kindreds of Elves: the Vanyar, some of the Ñoldor, and some of the Teleri. The island of Tol Eressëa lay just off the eastern shore.

History

Upon the destruction of Almaren in very ancient times of Arda, the Valar fled to the great continent of Aman in the far west of Arda, and there established the realm of Valinor. Seeking to isolate themselves, they raised a great mountain fence, called the Pelóri, on the eastern coast, and set the Enchanted Isles in the ocean to prevent travellers by sea from reaching Aman.

For reasons unknown, the Valar left two lands outside the wall of the Pelóri: Araman to the northeast and Avathar to the southeast. Ungoliant, a great spider of unknown origin, had managed to escape notice in Avathar. When Melkor was released from his captivity, he fled to Avathar, scaled the mountains with Ungoliant's help, and wrought destruction of great consequence in Aman.

The first navigator to succeed in passing the Isles of Enchantment was Eärendil, who came to Valinor to seek the aid of the Valar against Melkor, now called Morgoth. His quest was successful, the Valar went to war again, and also decided to remove the Isles.

Soon after this, the great island of Númenor was raised out of Belegaer, close to the shores of Aman, and the Three Houses of the Edain were brought to live there. Henceforth, they were called the Dúnedain, or Men of the West, and were blessed with many gifts by the Valar and the Elves of Tol Eressëa. The Valar feared— rightly— that the Númenóreans would seek to enter Aman to gain immortality (even though a mortal in Aman remains mortal), so they forbade them from sailing west of the westernmost promontory of Númenor. In time, and not without some corrupting help from Sauron, the Númenóreans violated the Ban of the Valar, and sailed to Aman with a great army under the command of Ar-Pharazôn the Golden. The Valar collapsed a part of the Pelóri on this army, trapping it but not killing it. It is said that the army still lies beneath the pile of rock.

In light of this new development, the Valar decided to again isolate themselves from the other lands, but by a more decisive method than enchanted islands. The earth, at this time, was flat. They called upon Eru Ilúvatar, and he clove it in two, making Middle-earth round and removing Aman from Arda, so that a mariner sailing west along Eärendil's route would simply emerge in the far east. For the elves, however, they crafted a Straight Road that peels away from the curvature of the earth and passes to Aman.^[1] A very few non-elves are known to have passed along this road, including the Hobbits Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, and perhaps Samwise Gamgee and the dwarf Gimli was rumored to have gone as well.^[2]

Etymology

The Quenya name Aman is glossed as "Blessed Land",^[3] or "blessed, free from evil"^[4] or "The Unmarred State".^[5]

The etymology of the name Aman changed over time in Tolkien's writings. In early linguistic writings, Aman was intended to be a "native Quenya form", derived from the root MAN ("good"). However, in later writings (such as Quendi and Eldar), the name is said to derive from a Valarin word.^[6]

Notes

Tolkien may have based Aman on Heaven from his own religion, Christianity, as Aman, like Heaven, is accessible only to beings whose (first) life on Earth has ended, and is inaccessible to any still-mortal beings.

Translations

Foreign Language	Translated name
Amharic	ዓማን
Arabic	آمان
Armenian	Աման
Belarusian Cyrillic	Аман
Bengali	আমান
Bulgarian Cyrillic	Аман
Cantonese	阿曼
Chinese (Hong Kong)	阿門洲
French	Terres Immortelles (Immortal lands)
Georgian	ამან
Greek	Άμαν
Gujarati	આમન
Hebrew	אמאן
Hindi	आमन
Hungarian	Halhatatlanföld
Japanese	アマン
Kannada	ಅಮನ್
Kazakh	Аман (Cyrillic) Aman (Latin)
Korean	암안
Kyrgyz Cyrillic	Аман
Lao	ະມະນ
Macedonian Cyrillic	Аман
Marathi	आमन
Mongolian Cyrillic	Аман
Nepalese	आमन
Pashto	آمان
Persian	امان
Russian	Аман
Sanskrit	आमन्
Sinhalese	ආමන්
Spanish	Aman
Tajik Cyrillic	Аман
Tamil	ஆமந்
Telugu	ఆమన
Thai	อามัน
Ukrainian Cyrillic	Аман
Urdu	امان
Uzbek	Аман (Cyrillic) Aman (Latin)
Yiddish	ײַמאַן

Places in the Undying Lands (Aman and Tol Eressëa)
Places and regions of the Valar	Valinor • Ezellohar • Gardens of Lòrien • Halls of Mandos • Halls of Nienna • House of Tulkas • Ilmarin • Máhanaxar • Pastures of Yavanna • Wells of Varda • Woods of Oromë • Plain of Valinor • Two Trees of Valinor
Other regions	Eldamar • Alalvinórë • Araman • Avathar • Enchanted Isles • Haerast • Oiomúrë • Sindanórië • Galathilion
Mountains and passes	Pelóri • Taniquetil • Hyarmentir •Túna • Calacirya • Caves of the Forgotten
Bodies of water	Afros • Bay of Eldamar • Gruir • Híri • Lórellin • Shadowy Seas •Sirnúmen
Cities and strongholds	Valmar • Alqualondë • Avallónë • Formenos • Kôrtirion • Tavrobel • Tirion • Lumbi
Houses and towers	Cottage of Lost Play • House of the Hundred Chimneys • Mindon Eldaliéva • Tower of Avallónë • Tower of Tavrobel• Tram Nybol

References

↑ The Atlas of Middle-earth, The First Age, The Elder Days, "Introduction"
↑ The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands), "Later Events concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
↑ ^6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part Three" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 49, June 2007, pp. 26-7
↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar", p. 399
↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "The Coming of the Valar and the Building of Valinor": "Notes and Commentary"

[1] The Atlas of Middle-earth, The First Age, The Elder Days, "Introduction"

[2] The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands), "Later Events concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"

[3] 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part Three" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 49, June 2007, pp. 26-7

[4] J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar", p. 399

[5] J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "The Coming of the Valar and the Building of Valinor": "Notes and Commentary"

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Location_infobox
+|image = Ted Nasmith - The Shores of Valinor.jpg
+|caption1 = "The Shores of Valinor", by [[Ted Nasmith]]
+|name = Aman
+|location = West of [[Belegaer]], east of [[Ekkaia]]
+|type = Continent
+|realms = [[Valinor]], [[Araman]], [[Avathar]], [[Lórien]]
+|major_towns = [[Alqualondë]], [[Formenos]], [[Halls of Mandos]], [[Tirion]], [[Valmar]]
+|names = "The West", Undying Lands, Blessed Realm, Uttermost West
+|inhabitants = [[Valar]], [[Maiar]], [[Vanyar]], [[Ñoldor]], [[Teleri]]
+}}
 [[File:44444444.jpg|thumb|Location of Aman in Arda]]
 '''Aman''' ([[Quenya]]; [[IPA charts|IPA]]: {{IPA|[ˈaman]}}; "blessed realm") was a continent that lay west of [[Middle-earth]], across the great ocean [[Belegaer]]. It was the home of the [[Valar]], and three kindreds of [[Elves]]: the [[Vanyar]], some of the [[Ñoldor]], and some of the [[Teleri]]. The island of [[Tol Eressëa]] lay just off the eastern shore.
-==History==
+== History ==
 Upon the destruction of [[Almaren]] in very ancient times of Arda, the Valar fled to the great continent of Aman in the far west of [[Arda]], and there established the realm of [[Valinor]]. Seeking to isolate themselves, they raised a great [[mountain]] fence, called the [[Pelóri]], on the eastern coast, and set the [[Enchanted Isles]] in the ocean to prevent travellers by sea from reaching Aman.
@@ Line 13: / Line 25: @@
 Soon after this, the great island of [[Númenor]] was raised out of Belegaer, close to the shores of Aman, and the Three Houses of the [[Edain]] were brought to live there. Henceforth, they were called the [[Dúnedain]], or ''Men of the West'', and were blessed with many gifts by the Valar and the Elves of Tol Eressëa. The Valar feared— rightly— that the [[Númenóreans]] would seek to enter Aman to gain [[immortality]] (even though a mortal in Aman remains mortal), so they forbade them from sailing west of the westernmost promontory of Númenor. In time, and not without some corrupting help from [[Sauron]], the Númenóreans violated the [[Ban of the Valar]], and sailed to Aman with a great army under the command of [[Ar-Pharazôn]] the Golden. The Valar collapsed a part of the Pelóri on this army, trapping it but not killing it. It is said that the army still lies beneath the pile of rock.
-In light of this new development, the Valar decided to again isolate themselves from the other lands, but by a more decisive method than enchanted islands. The earth, at this time, was flat. They called upon [[Eru Ilúvatar]], and he clove it in two, and made the half containing Middle-earth round, so that a mariner sailing west along Eärendil's route would simply emerge in the far east. For the elves, however, they crafted a [[Straight Road]] that peels away from the curvature of the earth and passes to Aman.<ref>''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]],'' The First Age, The Elder Days, "Introduction"</ref> A very few non-elves are known to have passed along this road, including the [[Hobbit]]s [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], and perhaps [[Samwise Gamgee]] and the dwarf [[Gimli]] as well.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]],'' [[Appendix B]]: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands), "Later Events concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"</ref>
+In light of this new development, the Valar decided to again isolate themselves from the other lands, but by a more decisive method than enchanted islands. The earth, at this time, was flat. They called upon [[Eru Ilúvatar]], and he clove it in two, making Middle-earth round and removing Aman from Arda, so that a mariner sailing west along Eärendil's route would simply emerge in the far east. For the elves, however, they crafted a [[Straight Road]] that peels away from the curvature of the earth and passes to Aman.<ref>''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]],'' The First Age, The Elder Days, "Introduction"</ref> A very few non-elves are known to have passed along this road, including the [[Hobbit]]s [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], and perhaps [[Samwise Gamgee]] and the dwarf [[Gimli]] was rumored to have gone as well.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]],'' [[Appendix B]]: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands), "Later Events concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"</ref>
-==Etymology==
+== Etymology ==
+The [[Quenya]] name '''''Aman''''' is glossed as "Blessed Land",<ref><sup>6.0 6.1</sup> [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "''Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals'' and Related Writings — Part Three" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in ''Vinyar Tengwar'', Number 49, June 2007, pp. 26-7</ref> or "blessed, free from evil"<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The War of the Jewels]]'', "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar", p. 399</ref> or "The Unmarred State".<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part One]]'', "[[The Coming of the Valar and the Building of Valinor]]": "Notes and Commentary"</ref>
-Aman was a [[Quenya]] word that meant 'Blessed realm'.<ref>''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]''</ref>
+The etymology of the name ''Aman'' changed over time in Tolkien's writings. In early linguistic writings, ''Aman'' was intended to be a "native Quenya form", derived from the root MAN ("good"). However, in later writings (such as ''Quendi and Eldar''), the name is said to derive from a Valarin word.<sup>[6]</sup>
-==Notes==
+== Notes ==
-* Tolkien may have based Arman off of Heaven from his own religion (The Christian religion) as Aman, like heaven is accessible only to immortal beings and is inaccessible to any mortal beings.
-* It also may have been based upon the Garden of Eden, a paradise that was once accessible but is no longer
+* Tolkien may have based Aman on Heaven from his own religion, Christianity, as Aman, like Heaven, is accessible only to beings whose (first) life on Earth has ended, and is inaccessible to any still-mortal beings.
-==Translations around the World==
-{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
+==Translations==
-!Foreign Language
+<div style="overflow:auto; height:300px; width:500px; float:left">
-!Translated name
+<!--<div style="overflow:auto; height:200px;">-->
+{|class="itemtable" bgcolor=#EDEEFF style="color:#6f3d0b; border:2px solid #FFF; border-top: 0; text-align:left; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:8px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:8px; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius:8px; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius:8px;"
+|width=300px|'''Foreign Language'''
+|width=300px|'''Translated name'''
 |-
 |Amharic
 |ዓማን
 |-
 |Arabic
+|آمان
-|أمان
 |-
 |Armenian
 |Աման
-|-
-|Assyrian
-|ܐܡܐܢ
 |-
 |Belarusian Cyrillic
@@ Line 56: / Line 68: @@
 |阿門洲
 |-
+|French
-|Dari
+|Terres Immortelles (Immortal lands)
-|امان
 |-
 |Georgian
@@ Line 63: / Line 75: @@
 |-
 |Greek
+|Άμαν
-|Αμαν
 |-
 |Gujarati
@@ Line 69: / Line 81: @@
 |-
 |Hebrew
+|אמאן
-|אמן
 |-
 |Hindi
@@ Line 83: / Line 95: @@
 |ಅಮನ್
 |-
-|Kazakh Cyrillic
+|Kazakh
-|Аман
+|Аман (Cyrillic) Aman (Latin)
 |-
 |Korean
 |암안
-|-
-|Kurdish
-|ئمان ? (Arabic script) Aman (Latin)
 |-
 |Kyrgyz Cyrillic
@@ Line 124: / Line 133: @@
 |Sinhalese
 |ආමන්
+|-
+|Spanish
+|Aman
 |-
 |Tajik Cyrillic
@@ Line 136: / Line 148: @@
 |Thai
 |อามัน
-|-
-|Tibetan
-| ཱམན
-|-
-|Tigrinya
-|ዓማን
 |-
 |Ukrainian Cyrillic
@@ Line 148: / Line 154: @@
 |Urdu
 |امان
-|-
-|Uyghur
-|ئمان
 |-
 |Uzbek
@@ Line 158: / Line 161: @@
 |ײַמאַן
 |}
+</div>
+{{Clear}}
 {{Locations in Aman}}
-==References==
+== References ==
 <references/>
-==External link==
-*[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/a/aman.html Aman] Corresponding Encyclopedia of Arda Article
 [[de:Aman]]
@@ Line 172: / Line 174: @@
 [[fr:Aman]]
 [[it:Aman]]
+[[nl:Aman]]
 [[pl:Aman]]
 [[pt-br:Aman]]
 [[ru:Аман]]
+[[sk:Aman]]
 [[Category:Quenya words]]
 [[Category:Continents]]