Fanuilos

One of the many names and titles of the Vala known as Varda the Kindler, or more commonly in Middle-earth as Elbereth Gilthoniel. Varda was the spouse of Manwë the Elder King, and it was she who, anticipating the awakening of the first Elves, painted the sky with the brighter stars. These stars were the first thing seen by the newly-awakened Elves, and indeed they named themselves the 'People of the Stars', and held Varda the Queen of the Stars in special reverence.

The name or title Fanuilos describes the form of Varda as a shining figure standing atop Taniquetil, the snow-white mountain on which she made her home. It describes her fana, her shining physical form, as being uilos, or 'ever white as snow'. The name was used particularly by the Eldar in Middle-earth, who could at times hope to glimpse the shimmering Fanuilos far off beyond the Sea through the palantír of the Tower Hills.

Though used as part of the lexicon of the Elves, the name of Fanuilos was also used by Sam Gamgee as he faced Shelob on the borders of Mordor. Calling on the name of Elbereth, he was inspired to recite a verse in Elvish (a language that he did not understand). That verse ended with an invocation: A tiro nin, Fanuilos! ('O look towards me, Fanuilos!').