Before time
Before Arda: the Music of the Ainur
The making of the Ainur by Eru Ilúvatar, the Great Music in which the history of the world was foreshadowed, and the entry of the Valar into Eä to shape Arda.
31 events
- Before Arda
Making of the Ainur
Eru brings the Ainur into being as the offspring of his thought.
FigureEru Ilúvatar
- Before Arda
Origin in the darkness
A spirit from the dark about the world, corrupted by Melkor in the days of his first envy, according to the Eldar.
FigureUngoliant
- Before Arda
Rejection of Melkor
Varda knows Melkor before the Music and refuses him, earning his lasting hatred.
FigureVarda
- Before Arda
Search for the Flame Imperishable
Melkor goes alone into the Void seeking the power to create and does not find it.
FigureMelkor
- Before Arda
The Ainur are made
Eru Ilúvatar brings the Ainur into being from his thought and teaches them music.
TaxonAinur
- Before Arda
The third theme of the Music
Eru raises a theme over the discord of Melkor, and in it lies the coming of Elves and Men, whom no Ainu had devised.
TaxonChildren of Ilúvatar
- Before Arda
Discord in the Music
Melkor weaves his own themes into the Ainulindalë and is rebuked by Eru.
FigureMelkor
- Before Arda
Grief in the Music
Nienna's lament for the marring is woven into the Great Music.
FigureNienna
- Before Arda
Lesson of the Music
Eru shows Ulmo that Melkor's cold and heat have only made snow and rain; Ulmo becomes Manwë's ally.
FigureUlmo
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Manwë is the chief instrument of Eru's second theme against Melkor's discord.
FigureManwë
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Melian enters Arda among the Maiar of Vána and Estë.
FigureMelian
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Ossë enters Arda among the Maiar of Ulmo.
FigureOssë
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Aiwendil enters Arda among the Maiar of Yavanna.
FigureRadagast
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Salmar enters Arda among the Maiar of Ulmo.
FigureSalmar
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Curumo enters Arda among the Maiar of Aulë.
FigureSaruman
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Tilion enters Arda among the Maiar who follow Oromë.
FigureTilion
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Uinen enters Arda among the Maiar of Ulmo.
FigureUinen
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Ilmarë enters Arda among the Maiar who follow Varda.
FigureIlmarë
- Before Arda
The Great Music
The Ainur sing the Ainulindalë; Melkor introduces discord, and Eru answers with two further themes before ending the song.
TaxonAinur
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Arien enters Arda among the spirits of fire who remain faithful.
FigureArien
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Alatar and Pallando enter Arda among the Maiar.
FigureThe Blue Wizards
- Before Arda
The Great Music
The Balrog enters Arda among the spirits of fire who follow Melkor.
FigureDurin's Bane
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Eönwë enters Arda among the Maiar who follow Manwë.
FigureEönwë
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Eru proposes the theme; when Melkor rebels he answers with two further themes and ends the song.
FigureEru Ilúvatar
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Olórin enters Arda among the Maiar of Manwë and Varda.
FigureGandalf
- Before Arda
The Great Music
Gothmog enters Arda among the spirits of fire.
FigureGothmog
- Before Arda
The Music and the Vision
The greatest of the Ainur sing the World into pattern and then choose to enter it.
TaxonValar
- Before Arda
Entering the World
The lesser Ainur descend into Eä alongside the Valar as their people.
TaxonMaiar
- Before Arda
Entering the World
Vairë descends into Eä with the other Valar.
FigureVairë
- Before Arda
The making of Eä
Eru shows the Vision, then gives the World real existence and sends the Flame Imperishable into its heart.
FigureEru Ilúvatar
- Before Arda
The Vision and the making of Eä
Eru shows the Ainur a vision of the World their song has patterned, then speaks it into being. Those who wish to descend into it.
TaxonAinur