A Guide To The Lesser-Known Maiar In Middle-earth

TV & Film

Nov 27

By now, many of us have become familiar with Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium, as well as the characters who appear in them. There are two races of Ainur, or holy beings: the Valar and the Maiar. The Maiar were servants of the Valar and helped them shape the World.

Many of us are familiar with a few of the Maiar, like the wizards, Sauron, or the Balrog in Moria. However, there are more Maiar than just those few.

Eönwё

Eönwё was a Maia of Manwё, as well as his herald and banner-bearer. He was also one of the chiefs of the Maiar (along with his spouse, Ilmarё) and the weapon master of Arda. Eönwё played a key role in the War of Wrath, leading the Elves and overthrowing Morgoth. After Morgoth’s defeat, he would guard the remaining Silmarils until they were stolen.

During the Second Age, he often walked among men, blessing them with longevity, and teaching them many things.

RELATED:

Featured

Who is Jenna Ortega, Star of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday‘?

Ilmarё

Together with her spouse Eönwё, Ilmarё was one of the chiefs of the Maiar. She was also the handmaiden to Queen Varda, the wife of Manwё and Queen of the Valar. Not much is known about her as she was only briefly mentioned in Tolkien’s works.

Tilion

Originally a hunter of the Vala Oromё, Tilion was famed for his silver bow. After the destruction of the Two Trees and the Darkening of Valinor, Tilion was chosen to pilot the Moon across the sky.

Arien

Originally a fire spirit who resisted corruption by Melkor, Arien was a maiden who tended to the golden flowers in the garden of the Vala Vána. When Melkor destroyed the Two Trees of Valinor, the Vala Aulё took the last fruit of the golden tree Laurelin and fashioned a vessel to hold it. This became the Sun, and Arien was chosen to guide it across the sky.

Ossё

Osse and Ulinen — Ossё and Uinen
Image Source: kimberly80

Also referred to by the Sindarin version of his name, Gaerys, Ossё was a Maia of the Vala Ulmo. His domain was the coastal waters of the oceans. He was said to be a bringer of storms and held power over storms and tempests. At one time, Ossё was swayed by Melkor’s influence to create violent storms that destroyed the lands. However, his wife Uinen would persuade him to stop.

He was a friend of Círdan the Shipwright.

Uinen

Also called “The Lady of the Sea,” she was the spouse of Ossё. Her hair was said to spread through the waters of all the world’s oceans. She had the power to calm the storms in the ocean. As such, she was important to mariners and was especially revered by the Númenoreans.

Salmar

Salmar was the maker of the famed Ulumúri, the Vala Ulmo’s great horns of white conch shells. These horns would awaken a longing for the Sea in those who heard their music.

Melian

Melian dwelt in the Gardens of Vala Irmo in Lórien. Her voice was so beautiful that the Valar would stop their work and listen to her enchanting songs. She would fall in love with the Elven king Elu Thingol, and rule the kingdom Doriath by his side. Their daughter, Lúthien, was the great-grandmother of Elrond and Elros. After Thingol was slain, Melian departed across the Great Sea and returned to Valinor.

She became a mentor to Galadriel during her time in Doriath. She was the mother of Lúthien, who was the great-grandmother of Elrond and Elros.

Gothmog

A corrupted Maia and one of the chief servants of Melkor/Morgoth, Gothmog was the most powerful of all the Balrogs, and his authority was almost equal to Sauron’s. He was often accompanied by other Balrogs, as well as Troll bodyguards. Wielding a great black axe, he was first encountered by the Elves in a great battle before the first rising of the Moon, where he mortally wounded the Elf Fёanor. He went in hiding for several centuries before emerging to fight in the last battle of the Wars of Beleriand, where he slew the High King Fingon. He was then defeated by Ecthelion during the assault on Gondolin.

READ NEXT:

Featured