In the elder days, the world of Arda had been understood to exist upon multiple planes of reality. The most immediate to the Children of Ilúvatar was the physical plane (Q."Enquë Hróndorva"), the realm of tangible substance and spatial form. Upon this plane the lands of Middle-earth, the seas, the mountains, and the bodies of living creatures had taken shape. That plane was not merely a surface of existence but the material expression of divine intent, shaped by the Valar within the greater cosmos of Eä.
The Visible World (Q."Ëacénima") had been the aspect of the physical plane that could be perceived by the senses. It included all that was seen and touched, and through that world mortals had experienced life. Beyond the visible lay the Invisible World (Quenya "Ëa Úcenima"), a spiritual dimension inhabited by beings of greater power and subtlety. The Ainur, including the Valar and Maiar, could move between these realms, and some, such as Olórin, had walked unseen among the Elves of Valinor.
Between these realms lay the Wraith Realm or Shadow World, a distorted reflection of the visible, accessible through powerful enchantments or cursed artifacts. The Rings of Power, and most of all the One Ring, could draw mortals into that realm, rendering them invisible to the physical eye while exposing them to the gaze of spirits. In that condition they perceived the true forms of beings such as the High Elves, whose spiritual light shone through the veil of the Unseen.
The Matter of Arda (Q."Hrón"), which composed the physical plane, had been fashioned in accordance with the Axani—the divine laws established by Eru Ilúvatar. Those laws had governed the nature of being, the limits of mortality, and the structure of creation. The Valar, in their stewardship, had worked within those bounds to bring forth harmony. Yet Melkor, later known as Morgoth, had sought to bend the laws to his own will. Though he could not unmake the Axani, he had marred their expression in the world.
In his rebellion Morgoth had infused a portion of his evil essence into the very substance of Arda (Q. "Hrón"). That act did not merely corrupt individual creatures or regions but tainted the world itself. The matter of Arda became a vessel of his malice, and even after his defeat the corruption endured. Thus Arda became Arda marred, a world in which decay, suffering, and discord were woven into the fabric of existence.
The relationship between the physical and spiritual realms had remained complex. The physical plane was not isolated from the spiritual but was permeated by it. The Valar and Maiar, though often unseen, acted upon the world through their works and presence. The Elves, being bound to Arda yet possessing greater spiritual awareness, perceived both realms to varying degrees. Mortals, by contrast, had been largely confined to the visible, though certain artifacts could bridge the divide.
In the end the marred state of Arda reflected a deeper metaphysical wound. The physical and spiritual realms, once in harmony, had become estranged. The matter of the world bore the imprint of rebellion, and the laws of creation, though unbroken, had been obscured. Yet within that brokenness the memory of the original Music endured, and the hope of healing remained.
See:
Editorial Note: This entry contains speculative or fan-based material — such as fanon, fanfiction, or theory constructs — that may not be directly supported by canonical texts. Interpretations offered here are part of the NNCA’s speculative corpus and should not be mistaken for primary Tolkien sources.