The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Began at the time of the destruction of the Lamps of the Valar; came to an end after the Darkening of Valinor and the first rising of the Sun1
Location
Across Middle-earth, except for Beleriand under the power of Melian
Origins
Set by Yavanna after the Spring of Arda was brought to an end by darkness
Pronunciation
Yavanna is pronounced 'yava'nna'
Meaning

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About this entry:

  • Updated 9 August 2019
  • This entry is complete

Sleep of Yavanna

The long wait of life in Middle-earth

In very ancient times, the Valar set up two great Lamps in the north and south of the world, and settled on the island of Almaren in Middle-earth. Living things throughout the world began their first growth, and so that time was known as the Spring of Arda. However, Melkor destroyed the Lamps and the dwellings on Almaren, driving the Valar away from Middle-earth and into the West. The living things of Middle-earth were left in darkness, and so Yavanna protected them by setting them to sleep until light should come again. That happened many centuries later, after the Darkening of Valinor and the loss of the Two Trees, when the rising of the Sun finally returned light to Middle-earth.


Notes

1

Based on the dating in the Annals of Aman in volume X of The History of Middle-earth, the Sleep of Yavanna lasted for some 1,500 Valian Years, or a little under 15,000 solar years.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 9 August 2019
  • This entry is complete

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The Encyclopedia of Arda
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