Valar

The Valar were supernatural beings in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy that helped one God (Eru Ilúvatar) shape the world. The Aulindalë describes them as the Ainur who descended into the world to complete its formation. On the other hand, the Valanquenta states that the Elves called the mightiest of the angelic beings the Valar, with the rest known as the Maiar. The Lord of the Rings film series mentions them briefly, although The History of Middle-earth and The Silmarillion has in-depth coverage of the subject. While most scholars liken the Valar to Christian angels, Tolkien depicted them as pagan gods in his works.​

The one God, Eru Ilúvatar, used musical themes to share his vision of the world with the Ainur. Through their thoughtful interpretation, the Ainur then created their themes based on their unique understanding. It is worth noting that none of the Ainur understood everything shared by God. Instead, each of them focused on individual themes. Most of the Ainur infused their creativity to add harmony to the Ilúvatar themes. However, Melkor added discordant themes that went against the music. Thus, his themes spread evil and negativity because they were based on selfishness, rather than the enlightenment of Eru Ilúvatar. After the completion of the music, Ilúvatar gave the Ainur free will – to follow him or to descend into the world they had created.

Those who chose the latter option became the Valar. That said, the Elves reserved this term for the most powerful of the lot, with the lesser ones being called the Maiar. Manwë and Melkor, his brother, were the mightiest of the Valar. While Manwë was renowned for his selflessness, Melkor was selfish. Melkor was the first Vala to descend into the world, causing chaos at every stop he made. As the rest of the Valar arrived, they realized that Melkor had tarnished Eru Ilúvatar. They temporarily overthrew Melkor with help from the last Vala, Tulkas, and started undoing the discord he had spread by creating beautiful and harmonious musical themes. Initially, the Valar lived in the middle of the world on the Isle of Almaren. Later, they moved to the western continent of Aman and founded Valinor. This was after the destruction and loss of symmetry in their original home. At Valinor, the Valar intensified their war against Melkor and his evils. Instead of spreading harmony, Melkor focused his energies on corrupting creatures such as the Balrogs, dragons, and orcs. Melkor's most heinous actions included the destruction of the Two Lamps and the Isle of Almaren, the original home of the Valar.​

Because of these deeds, Melkor was imprisoned for several years until his brother, Manwë, pardoned him. A new phase in the regency of the Valar started when the Elves arrived in the world, particularly Valinor. The Elves had left their original home in Middle-earth and the east for the west since it was the area that the Valar focused their creativity. More specifically, the Elves found happiness in the Two Trees that the Valar had made. The Two Trees were later destroyed by the evil giant spider Ungoliant upon the incitement of Melkor. Before this scenario, Fëanor, an Elf in Noldor, had captured the trees in three Silmarils, the most expensive jewels in existence at the time. Melkor stole the Silmarils, killed Fëanor's father, and then fled to Middle-earth. Following the death of Fëanor's father, many of them defied the Valar and went after Melkor seeking revenge. As a result, the Valar closed Valinor and exiled the Noldor to Middle-earth. For the remaining years in the First Age, Ulmo, the Lord of the Waters, [1] was the only Vala who visited the world beyond Aman.

He had an enormous influence on Tuor's actions, including convincing him to find Gondolin's hidden city. Towards the First Age’s conclusion, the Valar directed the Maiar and the Elves to Middle-earth to battle in the War of Wrath. Melkor was brought to his defeat in this conflict. After this war, the Elves were once again accepted into Valinor. During the Second Age, the Valar created Númenor as a home for the Edan, who were allowed to visit all parts of the world except Aman. Since the Valar avoided Middle-earth in this era, Sauron, a prodigy of Melkor, rose to power and became the new Dark Lord. In the last years of the Second Age, Sauron instigated residents of Númenor to attack Aman. After the destruction of Númenor (Akallabêth), Aman was removed from the earth (only the Elves could access it). Later, in the Third Age, the Valar sent the wizards to assist in the fight against Sauron.​

The Elves of Valinor had different names and attributes for the chief Valar. In Middle-earth, they were called by their Sindarin names; for instance, Varda was known as Elbereth. Men had many other names for the Valar, and, in some cases, worshipped them as gods. Most of the chief Valar were known by their titles except Oromë, who was called by his actual name. There is no known recording of the real names of the Valar. The males were referred to as 'Lords of the Valar' [2] and the females 'Queens of the Valar.' Out of the fourteen chief Valar, six pairs were married couples, with only Ulmo and Nienna living alone. According to Tolkien, these unions were spiritual, and the couples did not reproduce like Greek gods.

The eight greatest Valar were called the Aratar. They included Manwë, Yavanna, Ulmo, Aulë, Varda, Nienna, Mandos, and Oromë. Mandos and his brother Lorien were known as the Fëanturi, the 'Masters of the Spirits.' [3] Eru Ilúvatar is perceived to be the father of the Valar because he created them using his thought. This, however, does not mean that all the Valar were siblings. That said, they were the first to get married before passing on the culture to the Elves. All of them had partners, except Melkor, Nienna, and Ulmo. The only marriage involving the Valar that happened in the world was between Tulkas and Nessa.​

Melkor, also known as Morgoth, was the first Dark Lord. His name means "One Who Arises in Might.' Despite being the first of the Ainur and the most powerful, his evil nature made him create discord in the music of Eru Ilúvatar. The Dark Lord Melkor was a spiritual brother to Manwë. He was the mightiest of the Valar since he understood all aspects of Ilúvatar's thoughts. After turning evil, he was taken to Valinor where he was chained for three Ages in the Halls of Mandos. He later escaped the Blessed Realm after poisoning the Two Trees and stealing the Silmarils. These actions meant that he was no longer recognized as a Vala, and was labeled 'Morgoth Bauglir', the Great Enemy, by the greatest of the Eldar in the First Age, Fëanáro Curufinwë.​

Similar to other Ainur, the powers of the Valar were ambiguous and mysterious. That said, the Valar had superior abilities than the Maiar. They could change their bodily form and interact with Elves and Men without being noticed. They also had other powers – for example, Manwë controlled the winds whilst Ulmo controlled the waters. The Valar could raise the island of Númenor to the surface of the sea.​