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Dates
Ungoliant was very ancient, though no certain dates are known; she 'went whither she would into the forgotten south of the world' at about the time of the first rising of the Moon and Sun1
Locations
Originally spun webs in the glooms of Avathar; after passing into Middle-earth she remained for a time in Ered Gorgoroth before passing into the distant South
Race
Apparently an ancient spirit akin to the Ainur
Pronunciation
oongo'liant
Meaning
'Gloomweaver'2

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 July 1998
  • Updates planned: 5

Ungoliant

Ancient ally of Melkor

Ungoliant
Shelob
Others

The evil creature of spider-form who was Melkor's accomplice in the Darkening of Valinor, and who fled with him to Middle-earth. The creatures that infested Ered Gorgoroth were her offspring and descendants, as was Shelob who dwelt on the borders of Mordor.


Notes

1

This quote comes from The Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor, which also tells us '...some have said that she ended long ago, when in her uttermost famine she devoured herself at last'.

2

Ultimately from ungwë liante. 'Gloomweaver' is Tolkien's preferred rendering, but 'Gloom spider' seems to be a more literal translation. In Elvish, 'weaver' and 'spider' are closely related words, and in English too: 'spider', 'spindle' and 'spinner' all share a common ancestry.

See also...

Aman, Anar, Avathar, Balrogs, Bridge of Esgalduin, Cloud of Ungoliant, Corollairë, Coron Oiolairë, Culúrien, Darkening of Valinor, Days of Bliss, Dimbar, Eärendil, Echoing Hills, Elu Thingol, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 July 1998
  • Updates planned: 5

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1998, 2000. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by myDISCprofile, the free online personality test.
Explore the benefits of using a personality profile to discover yourself and make the most of your career.
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Ungoliant

Ancient ally of Melkor

Dates
Ungoliant was very ancient, though no certain dates are known; she 'went whither she would into the forgotten south of the world' at about the time of the first rising of the Moon and Sun1
Locations
Originally spun webs in the glooms of Avathar; after passing into Middle-earth she remained for a time in Ered Gorgoroth before passing into the distant South
Race
Apparently an ancient spirit akin to the Ainur
Pronunciation
oongo'liant
Meaning
'Gloomweaver'2

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 July 1998
  • Updates planned: 5

Ungoliant

Ancient ally of Melkor

Ungoliant
Shelob
Others

The evil creature of spider-form who was Melkor's accomplice in the Darkening of Valinor, and who fled with him to Middle-earth. The creatures that infested Ered Gorgoroth were her offspring and descendants, as was Shelob who dwelt on the borders of Mordor.


Notes

1

This quote comes from The Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor, which also tells us '...some have said that she ended long ago, when in her uttermost famine she devoured herself at last'.

2

Ultimately from ungwë liante. 'Gloomweaver' is Tolkien's preferred rendering, but 'Gloom spider' seems to be a more literal translation. In Elvish, 'weaver' and 'spider' are closely related words, and in English too: 'spider', 'spindle' and 'spinner' all share a common ancestry.

See also...

Aman, Anar, Avathar, Balrogs, Bridge of Esgalduin, Cloud of Ungoliant, Corollairë, Coron Oiolairë, Culúrien, Darkening of Valinor, Days of Bliss, Dimbar, Eärendil, Echoing Hills, Elu Thingol, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 July 1998
  • Updates planned: 5

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1998, 2000. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by myDISCprofile, the free online personality test.
Explore the benefits of using a personality profile to discover yourself and make the most of your career.