Skip to main content

tolkiens legendarium - What are the Undying Lands?


I've heard a lot about the Undying Lands but I don't fully understand how they're different from Middle-earth and why only certain people/races are allowed to go there.


Can someone explain?



Answer



This is a pretty broad question (in the realms of Tolkien it's roughly equivalent of asking "What's Africa?") but here goes...


The Undying Lands (or Aman, or the Blessed Lands, or Valinor) is a continent that was to the west of the Middle Earth we see in the Lord of the Rings. It was home to the Valar, Maiar and most of the Elves throughout the First and Second Ages.



As part of their reward for aiding the Elves in the War of Wrath against Morgoth, the Numenorians were gifted an island from which Aman could be observed from its highest peak - Numenor. This set-up worked well until the Numenorians became prideful and firstly conquered and captured Sauron, bringing him back to Numenor, and then, under Sauron's urging, attempted to land on Aman with a fleet.


This prompted the Valar to appeal to Eru to act to preserve the sanctity of the Undying Lands. Eru removed the Undying Lands from the earth - converting the earth to a sphere in the process (it was previously flat in Tolkien's mythology). Eru also sank Numenor, killing the majority of them save for the Faithful - Elendil and his sons who then founded Gondor.


From that point through the Third and Fourth Ages Elves were allowed to continue travelling "home" to Aman, or "heading west" as it is referred to in the Lord of the Rings a few times. The Straight Road was left open for them, and only them, to travel (see my answer here for more details, as well as on the exceptions).


If you wish to know more, I would definitely recommend the Silmarillion for the history of Middle Earth prior to the end of the Third Age, which was when the Lord of the Rings was set.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....
Post a Comment
Read more

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more