General characteristics of the Quendi: Tall, beautiful faces and body (Tolkien often uses the word lithe combined with the physical build of the character, be It strong or leaner, to indicate an elegante/shapely form and of graceful movement). Fair skin, often very pale and occasionally rudy complexion for those with red hair. Maidros is a good example of everything described here as he was very tall, strong, shapely/elegant in form and movement, very beautiful, red-brown-haired, fair skin but possibly with a rudy complexion. The Avari: Proto Eldar Noldor, Vanyar and Teleri, the oldest of elves belong to this clan. The name means "the refusers" but call themselves the originals. Less skilled in all things than the other clans because of their lack of contact with the Ainur or Exiles or Sindar. The Eldar: Strongest, most adventurer and valiant elves that decided to make the Great Journey. Also tallest for their woman were 'seldom less' than 6 feet tall and their men 'no less' than 6 foot 6. The male average is elsewhere described as about 7 feet, which makes sense considering their shortest. Also generally younger members at the time of the Journey. About 2/3 of the elven people at the time. Hadoreans and specially the Númenóreans were said to be hardly distinguishable from the Eldar until their youth lasted. The Eldar generally considered long hair very beautiful. The Eldar clans: 1. Teleri or Lindar: Generaly dark-haired, but not black as some of the Noldor clan. There are also those with fair hair, varying from very light blonde to white and silver-grey, these were generally related to Thingol's bloodline. They are said to be *'somewhat' less in stature and in build than the Noldor, but Tolkien used 'somewhat' heavily indicating Celeborn (called 'silver-tall' among his people) would not be considered tall among the Noldor, thus a noticible difference though not great, for they were in fact very similar to the Noldor in general, hardly distinguishable, specially those of Valinor who also had brighter eyes. They were, however, still described as 'strong' by Tolkien, indicating, in average, a stronger body than most clans of men. Their eye colour ranged from dark to grey to even blue (regarding those fair-haired). * somewhat was used to height differences up to 6 inches (Gimli somewhat taller than the hobbits). Even the 'petty-dwarves' were said to be 'somewhat' smaller than their kin despite their name. Just a bit of context, but is up for interpretation, even though is certainly a substantial/noticeable difference. 1.1. Lindar of Valinor: Exactly as was described above. They mastered the art of singing, they were also great ship builders and sailors. Brighter eyes than the other Teleri clans. 1.2. Sindar or Grey-elves: As was described in Teleri, but with less bright eyes, which was the chief distinction between them and the exiles. Their knowledge on forests (living and for military purpouses) was also among the greatest in history. Also great sailors and shipwrights in the case of the elves of the Falas and Balar. Greatest voices of the Eldar. 1.3. Nandor: Same characteristics, but they were afraid of the misty mountains at some point, indicating less courage and generally less strength. 1.3.1. Green elves: Eventually arrived in Beleriand through the Misty and Blue mountains. Vegetarian for the most part, take that as you wish regarding potential physical characteristics. 1.3.2. Silvan Elves: Not accounted among the Eldar according to the lore in LOTR. Also said to be hardly distinguishable to the Avari, in fact some Avari clans mixed with them through out millenia, thus probably a lack of stature and strength when compared to other Eldar clans as well as more *variable hair colour. *See 'The Avari' above and the other Eldar big clans hair characteristics. 2. Noldor: Described as physically strong and very tall (about 7 feet). The tallest and strongest of the Elven folk, also 'the mightiest of the children of the world'. The best overall smithcrafts of the world as well as the greatest loremasters, specially regarding linguistics. Their hair colour was in general very dark-brown or black, but red-brown, *golden and even silver (MÃriel) was possible but very rare. Very bright eyes, generally grey and also in different "shades" of It like blue-grey, but also dark. High level of curiosity and want for knowledge when in comparison with the other clans. That natural ambition, high courage along with their great overall abilities and accomplishments makes them very prideful in general, the consequences of that can be very negative such as arrogance and supremacy (Feanor and some of his children). *Marriages between the clans were rare in Valinor except for the royal and noble houses, the Golden hair appears because of Vanyarin individuals marrying into the clan. 2.1. The Exiled Noldor: Many of them and their descendants intermarried with the Sindar during their years on ME. Thus some (future generations) were not so tall and spiritually enhanced as those original exiles. They also suffered a cultural "sindarization" that could be observed specially towards the language, but Quenya remained as the loremasters's language for their works. The culture among the exiles and their descendants was much more militaristic due to rampant wars when compared to other clans. They became the 'guardians of ME'. The Noldorin culture was the chief one that influenced the civilization of Númenór. 3. Vanyar: The name was given because of their golden hair, but also because they are considered the 'highest' of elves, the first ones. They were considered the *fairest of elves and the most loyal to the Valar, even lived nearer to them abandoning Tirion. As It was seen among the Noldor with Vanyar blood, they seemed to be less proud and wiser than the Noldor for the most part. They also loved music and poetry very much. Ingwe was considered by all elves of Aman as their High-King, thus they commanded a lot of respect from the other clans. *All Eldar were beautiful but is possible, since the loremasters are of Noldorin descent, that their love for gold and Its colour could've heavily influenced that view. Those are the basics.
2 weeks ago | 1
The Broken Sword
🚨 The Types of Tolkien's Elves | Lord of the Rings Lore
Today I look at the different types of Elves!
How many were there in the beginning?
How did they become different?
Is it easy to tell them apart?
Let's look at this today!
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 81