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jallanite · 06-03-2012, 02:01 PM

According to Kristine Larsen in page 77 of “Sea Birds and Morning Stars” (Tolkien and the Study of His Sources, Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 2011), Elwing is the planet Mercury.

She points out that Mercury, as the planet closest to the sun, is like Venus (Eärendil), a morning and evening star, but because of its dimness and it tending to be in the light of the sun is far less visible than Venus.

Larsen’s article may be the first time that this theory has been published. But the identical theory was suggested to me by Chris Gilson at Mythcon 10, July 1979, and seemed logical to me then. So it is not a new theory.

Larsen adds that “Mercury’s low angular light above the horizon gives it a color referred to by various observers as yellow, ochre, or rose.” This fits with Tolkien describing Elwing rising to attempt to meet Eärendil as “rose-stained in the sunset”.

06-03-2012, 02:01 PM	#3
jallanite Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 479	According to Kristine Larsen in page 77 of “Sea Birds and Morning Stars” (Tolkien and the Study of His Sources, Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 2011), Elwing is the planet Mercury. She points out that Mercury, as the planet closest to the sun, is like Venus (Eärendil), a morning and evening star, but because of its dimness and it tending to be in the light of the sun is far less visible than Venus. Larsen’s article may be the first time that this theory has been published. But the identical theory was suggested to me by Chris Gilson at Mythcon 10, July 1979, and seemed logical to me then. So it is not a new theory. Larsen adds that “Mercury’s low angular light above the horizon gives it a color referred to by various observers as yellow, ochre, or rose.” This fits with Tolkien describing Elwing rising to attempt to meet Eärendil as “rose-stained in the sunset”. Last edited by jallanite; 06-03-2012 at 02:07 PM.