Taniquetil was the highest of all the mountains of the world, standing above the eastern edges of Aman. At its peak, far above the land beneath, stood the halls of Ilmarin. There Manwë the Elder King dwelt with his spouse Varda, the Lady of the Stars.

The Elves held this mountain in reverence. They gave the Holy Mountain many names, and among those names was Elerrína, meaning 'Crowned with Stars'. The origins of this name are not explained: it may be that the mountain was so tall that its peak was literally crowned with stars,¹ or the name may reflect a connection with Varda who dwelt there, the Kindler of the bright stars of the sky.