Vanyar

The Vanyar were the pioneers among the Elves [1] who migrated to Aman. They were the first to sail the Great Journey, the earliest upon the coast of Belegaer in the initial journey of Tol Eressea. The Vanyar's King Ingwe commanded the voyage to Aman, and there they resided eternally. The Vanyar have many names such as Spear-elves, Light-elves, and the most known of all, Fair Elves. They were the most beautiful of all the Elves with their distinct golden hair, although they were the fewest of the Elvish clans. The Vanyar civilization centered on the undying land of Valinor and its hosts the Valar (this sets them apart from all Elves who were lovers of the sea, craftsmanship, and building structures). This lead to their decision of permanently settling close to Taniquetil, the capital of the sovereigns of Arda. They adored Valinor and considered its radiance the most desirable joys in all of Arda. They valued the Valar's intelligence, thus meriting the admiration of Manwë and Varda. For this reason, they also disapprove of Melkor. Poetry is the Vanyar's best talent, and Manwë, who is also a gifted poet, favored them more because of it. The Vanyar's hair was gold, and their flags were white.

The Vanyar's ancestors were Imin, Iminyë (wife of Imin), and the six Elf couples whom they waked. Imin was the prime Elf ever created and the first to open his eyes in Cuiviénen. The other heads of Elvish clans along with Imin were Enel and Tata, who awakened twelve couples and nine parties of Elves. Imin's assembly was the fewest, while Enel and Tata awakened more Elves, each drawing more than the one before him. For this reason, Imin decided to be the third instead of the first because he could gain more Elves for his clan by doing so. Still, Imin only gathered two more parties. Thus, The Vanyar clan is the fewest in all the Elves.

Oromë, one of the Valar, found the Elves. [2] The clans decided to select an emissary for each group to accompany Oromë back to Valinor and verify his word on the land's glory. The company of Imin called Minyar, selected Ingwë for the position. When he arrived back from Valinor, he convinced his clan of the splendor of Valinor. Then they chose him to be king. He headed their voyage to Aman together with Oromë. From then on, they crowned Ingwë as High King of all Elves. He also acquired the name Ingwë Ingweron which means 'Chief of Chieftains'. Since then, all the Eldar called his clan the Vanyar.

The Vanyar arrived in Aman, and they initially lived in Tirion. They roamed in Valinor and moved closer to the Trees whose light they began to adore. Ingwë remained with the Vanyar on the hills in Taniquetil, under Manwë's foyers. Ever since they reached Aman, the rest of the Elves seldom see the Vanyar. The Vanyar remained in Valinor because they adored its radiance. They permanently left Middle-earth for Valinor, contrary to the Noldor, who decided to return to Middle-earth. The only time the Vanyar returned was to join in battle as allies of the Valar multitude, during the War of Wrath.

The Vanyar enjoyed peace in the luminescence of Valinor, but they were also experts in warfare and crafting spears. Hence, they formed an overwhelming force during the battle. One of Ingwë's sons commanded an army of his kin from Valinor. After the War of Wrath in the last years of the First Age, the Vanyar came back to Aman with numerous Elves from the devastated land of Beleriand.

The only Vanyar Elves identified were the King Ingwë and his wife Imin, Amarië (Finrod Felagund's betrothed), and Indis (Ingwë's kin).

Finwë, The High King of the Ñoldor, was the husband of Indis, and together they had two sons named Finarfin and Fingolfin and a daughter called Findis. Later on, Melkor killed Finwë when he stole the Silmarils in Formenos. For this reason, Indis and her daughter Findis rejoined their Vanyar kin in Valinor. Finarfin and his established house, often referred to as the Golden House of Finarfin, was the sole Noldorin Elf line with the Vanyar's unique gold hair.

Finarfin and all elves who descended from his line possess this characteristic Vanyarin hair. Galadriel, also known as The Lady of Light, was a descendant of the Vanyar as her Father is Finarfin, son of Indis a pure Vanyarin Elf. Thus, with her Vanyarin ancestry, she has her renowned silvery gold hair. She was born in Valinor, where her Vanyar ancestors reside. Galadriel is one of the most renowned, powerful, and beautiful of all the Elves. She is also a bearer of the Elven Ring of power named Nenya, the Ring of Water.

Vanyar is a Quenyan word for fair or beautiful beings, and this name befits the Vanyar's gold hair. They also use the name Minyar which means the first ones. Its single form is Minya, while the adjective form is Minyarin. Minyarin is also an old name that the Vanyar use. But Minyarin does not include the Avari or Elves who permanently remained in Middle-earth. The entirety of the Vanyar clan sailed the Great Journey and settled in Valinor.

In the first manuscripts of the legendarium of Tolkien, the Vanyar's name was initially Ingwi as they were Elves of the house of Ingwë, the High King of the Elves.

1. ^Elves of Valinor.
2. ^The race of Elves.