Anar, the Sun, was the greatest light of the sky in the later ages of Arda, created by the Valar to bring forth a new era after the Darkening of Valinor, marking the dawn of the Time of Men and the fading of the Eldar. Born from the last golden fruit of Laurelin, one of the Two Trees of Valinor, the Sun was placed in the sky by Varda and steered by the Maia Arien, the most radiant of the Fire-spirits. Its ascent marked the beginning of the Years of the Sun, ending the Long Night that had covered Middle-earth after Morgoth's assault on the Two Trees.
Names[]
- Quenya Names
- Anar – "The Sun", "The Fire-Golden"
- Vása – "The Consumer" (so named for its burning heat)
- Ur – "The Fire of Heaven"
- Kalion – "The Golden Flame"
- Kalantar – "Light-Giver" (from early Quenya)
- Sindarin Names
- Aur – "The Sun"
- Anor – "The Flaming One" (as in Minas Anor, later Minas Tirith)
- Glaur – "The Radiant Fire"
- Rhyfel Anor – "The War-Sun" (a poetic name among Gondorian soldiers)
- Valarin Names
- Aþâraigas – "Appointed Heat"
- Urūsharu – "Light of the Heavens"
- Dwarvish Names
- Zigilzul – "The Silver Fire" (though the Dwarves respected the Moon more)
- Fornakâl – "The Golden Light"
- Other Names
- Ūri (Adûnaic) – "Sun"
- Amanaihtal (Adûnaic) – "The Blessed Flame"
- Ŷr or Uir (Westron) – "Sun"
- Minaluga (Westron) – "The Day-Bringer"
- The Daystar – A poetic name in Mannish tongues.
Lore[]
After the Darkening of Valinor, when Morgoth and Ungoliant destroyed the Two Trees, Arda was cast into darkness. Yet from their ruined husks, Yavanna and Nienna coaxed forth a final gift: from Telperion came a Silver Flower, which became Isil, the Moon, and from Laurelin came a Golden Fruit, which was taken to become Anar.
Aulë, the Smith of the Valar, forged a mighty vessel to hold the golden fire of the fruit, and Manwë consecrated it. To guide it, Varda chose Arien, a Maia of fire, one of the mightiest of her kind, who had never feared Morgoth nor been dimmed by the Darkness. Arien, untainted by any shadow, took up the task and became the Sun’s eternal guardian.
When Anar first rose over Middle-earth, it awoke Men, the Secondborn of Ilúvatar, who had slept in darkness by the Waters of Awakening. It also drove Morgoth into hiding, for he feared its light, and his creatures, who had long dwelled in shadow, cowered beneath its fiery gaze.
In the Dagor Dagorath, the Final Battle, it is said that Anar will be extinguished, and the world will be cast into darkness once more. Yet, it is also prophesied that a Second Sun shall arise with the Second Music of the Ainur, renewing the world and restoring its lost harmony.
Some legends of the Elves speak of a day when Arien shall descend from the sky, battling the last remnants of Morgoth’s power before she is consumed in fire. Others claim that Anar shall burn brighter than ever in the final days, scouring the last shadows from Middle-earth before it is unmade.
See:[]
- Sun and Moon
- House of Elendil