Welcome to The Encyclopedia of Arda

The Encyclopedia of Arda is a personal project - a tribute to and a celebration of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. The site is evolving into an illustrated hypertext encyclopedia of Tolkien's realms and peoples. It already contains about four thousand entries, and we're constantly adding new entries and expanding existing ones.

Inside the encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia of Arda contains thousands of articles covering topics from J.R.R. Tolkien's world, some brief, some lengthy and some containing detailed essays and discussions.

You'll also find a selection of interactive tools, including a chronicle to help you explore Tolkien's fictional history, and calendar to translate dates and events, a lexicon of names, a glossary of old and rare words, and much more.

Context and approach

The content of the Encyclopedia is written in the same context as Tolkien himself used; he presented himself simply as a translator, rather than originator of the tales. Hence, we try to describe his world from a 'historical' rather than a literary perspective, though sometimes it's useful to explore ideas in their wider context. Where relevant, therefore, you'll also find a few references to Tolkien's life or opinions, or to real historical or mythological parallels to events in his universe.

About the name Arda

Arda was the name given by the Elves to their world and all it contained, and so 'Encyclopedia of Arda' seemed a peculiarly apt title for this project.

Special thanks

Thanks to all those who've e-mailed us over the years with their suggestions, corrections, ideas and just general support.

But the real Special Thanks, though, belong to the memory of J.R.R. Tolkien for his extraordinary and unparalleled creation.

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

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Latest entries and updates

Daisies
Small white and gold flowers
Children of Earth
The Two Kindreds of Elves and Men
Radhruin
An outlaw follower of Barahir
Gate of the Dead
The gate that led beneath the Dwimorberg
Last of the Seven
The Ring of Thrór

Featured Entry

Dark Elves

Elves who never saw the Two Trees

After the Vala Oromë discovered the newly-awakened Elves at Cuiviénen, he offered to take them with him to dwell in the Light of the Trees in the West. The Elves were uncertain, and so Oromë took three ambassadors - Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë - with him to Valinor, where they were astonished by what they saw. Returning, the three convinced many of their people to make the Great Journey for themselves.

Not all the Elves wished to make the Journey into the West, and when the three ambassadors led their three clans westward, many chose to remain behind. Those Elves who set out on the Great Journey became known as Eldar, while those they left behind were the Avari. These Avari were the first of the Dark Elves or Moriquendi, a term given to those of Elvenkind who never saw the Light of the Trees in Aman.