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Welcome to The Encyclopedia of ArdaThe 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 encyclopediaThe 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 approachThe 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 ArdaArda 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 thanksThanks 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. Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1997-2026. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ. Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.Discus is a powerful, flexible DISC profile solution - find out much more in our free guide. |
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Featured EntryOlórinGandalf as he was in his youthThe being known in Middle-earth as 'Gandalf' was in fact an embodied spirit who had existed before the making of the world. One of the lesser Ainur known as Maiar, he descended into the world with the Valar in its earliest days. Of his doings in those most ancient times we know nothing; we first hear of him after the Valar settled in the Western land of Aman. In Aman he dwelt in the gardens of Lórien, the Vala who governed dreams, but also often travelled to the halls of Nienna (while other sources also connect him with Manwë and Varda). After the coming of the Elves to Valinor, the being who would become Gandalf acquired a name in the Quenya language: Olórin, a name connected to dreams and dreaming (or the Elves' equivalent experiences). Described as one of the wisest of all the Maiar, he also had a special concern for the Children of Ilúvatar. In Valinor he would move among them unseen - as the spirits of the Maiar were able to do - and prompt the Elves or inspire them to wisdom. |
