The evenstar. Same thing that.... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

DaughterofVana · 02-20-2003, 02:55 PM

I don't think Arwen HAD the actual EVENSTAR around her neck. *She* was the Evenstar (Undomiel), not her necklace. Without getting all symbolic about the trinket's purpose in the book ("Ticket to Aman" and so forth) I believe it was just a regular necklace with a diamond or a white gem on it. Usually objects are named after people, not people after objects, though perhaps if that necklace had some sort of significance in ancient ME (like a heirloom passed on from mother to daughter) then it would be feasible that she would be named after it. I don't believe that is the case--if anything, it was named "the evenstar" after her, if it was named anything at all (the book doesn't say, at least in that passage).

As to the origin of Arwen's surname, I believe that she was named "Evenstar" because she was the last elven maiden to possess the beauty of her ancestors. More specifically, Galadriel was the "star of the Morning" (sayeth Éomer to Gimli, on being divided in tastes); a venerable lady from an old, old house, crowned with a radiant garland. Of Luthien, a legendary Elven maiden, Arwen was to have been her "likeness come again," possessing if not all then most of her beauty. And since Luthien is said to be one of the most beautiful and substantial elven figures in ME, that's a pretty hefty title.

All in all, I guess you can say this: The evenstar is NOT the Evenstar, the Evenstar *named* the evenstar. I think.

-'Vana

Edited for clarification. I hope it helped.

[ February 20, 2003: Message edited by: DaughterofVana ]

02-20-2003, 02:55 PM	#1
DaughterofVana Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: twirling contentedly in a flower-filled field Posts: 134	I don't think Arwen HAD the actual EVENSTAR around her neck. She was the Evenstar (Undomiel), not her necklace. Without getting all symbolic about the trinket's purpose in the book ("Ticket to Aman" and so forth) I believe it was just a regular necklace with a diamond or a white gem on it. Usually objects are named after people, not people after objects, though perhaps if that necklace had some sort of significance in ancient ME (like a heirloom passed on from mother to daughter) then it would be feasible that she would be named after it. I don't believe that is the case--if anything, it was named "the evenstar" after her, if it was named anything at all (the book doesn't say, at least in that passage). As to the origin of Arwen's surname, I believe that she was named "Evenstar" because she was the last elven maiden to possess the beauty of her ancestors. More specifically, Galadriel was the "star of the Morning" (sayeth Éomer to Gimli, on being divided in tastes); a venerable lady from an old, old house, crowned with a radiant garland. Of Luthien, a legendary Elven maiden, Arwen was to have been her "likeness come again," possessing if not all then most of her beauty. And since Luthien is said to be one of the most beautiful and substantial elven figures in ME, that's a pretty hefty title. All in all, I guess you can say this: The evenstar is NOT the Evenstar, the Evenstar named the evenstar. I think. -'Vana Edited for clarification. I hope it helped. [ February 20, 2003: Message edited by: DaughterofVana ] __________________ "There is a kind of happiness and wonder that makes you serious. It is too good to waste on jokes." Hi! Did you miss me?