The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
The Elder Race awoke some three ages (roughly 4,300 years) before the first rising of the Moon and Sun
Origins
First awoke at Cuiviénen, the place called the Water of Awakening
Race
Divisions
Many subdivisions, but primarily divided into Eldar, who began the Great Journey, and Avari, who did not
Meaning
The Elves were the 'Elder' Race because they awoke into the world long before Men, the Second People
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 4 January 2026
  • This entry is complete

Elder Race

The Firstborn

Elder Race
(Elves)
Eldar
Elves of the Great Journey
Avari
The Unwilling
Orcs?
Vanyar
Light Elves
Noldor
Deep-elves
Teleri
The Third Clan

Some of the more important divisions of the Elder Race

The Children of Ilúvatar comprised two races, Elves and Men, and of those two the Elves awoke into the world far earlier than Men - thousands of years earlier, in fact. They were thus known as the Elder Children of Ilúvatar or the Firstborn, and had many other names besides that recognised this relationship, such as the Elder People and the Elder Kindred. They were also known as the Eldar, but despite its similarity to the English word 'Elder', there is no connection: Eldar is a name with Elvish origins, meaning 'People of the Stars'.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 4 January 2026
  • This entry is complete

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