If you’re like me, it can be really hard to keep all the different groups of the elves
straight in your mind. So, I thought it would be helpful to have a visual
breakdown of all the clans of the elves, with explanations of how they came to be.
So, today on Nerd of the Rings, I present to you a complete guide to Tolkien’s elves!
When the “Quendi” or elves awaken in Middle-earth in the YT 1050,
there are a total of 144 of them. The call themselves “Quendi”
which means “who speak with voices” as they met no other living thing that spoke or sang.
The elves consist of three clans - 14 make up the Minyar, which means “firsts”, 56 are
the Tatyar meaning “seconds”, and the largest group at 74 is the Nelyar meaning - you guessed
it - “thirds”. They also refer to themselves as the Lindar or “Singers” because they are
known for their beautiful voices - or maybe it’s because they didn’t care to be known as “thirds”.
After Orome discovers the elves in YT 1085,
he invites them to live in Valinor. A little less than half decide to follow the huntsman,
including all 14 of the Minyar, half of the Tatyar, and 46 of the Nelyar.
The elves who decide to take the journey are collectively called the Eldar - or People of
the Stars - by Orome. The 82 that remain behind are known as the Avari, which means the Unwilling.
Many of the Avari were fearful and distrusting of Orome and the Valar, after hearing lies of Melkor.
While some of this group would eventually make their way westward, it is believed that some
are captured by Melkor, who tortures and corrupts them to create the race of the Orcs.
Back to the Eldar. So we have the Minyar, Tatyar, and the Nelyar making the journey.
During this journey, Orome gives each clan new names - The Minyar
become the Vanyar. The Tatyar become the Noldor. And the Nelyar become the Teleri.
Orome leads the Eldar north of the Sea of Helcar and they pass by the ruins of the
Battle between Melkor and the Valar. At this point, some of the elves flee out of fear
and nothing else is known about them, though it’s possible they return to join the Avari.
Years later, Orome and the Eldar pass through Greenwood.
They rest by the shores of the Anduin River while the huntsman tries to determine how he
will get the elves over the Hithaeglir - what would later be known as the
Misty Mountains - which was considerably taller in the early days of Middle-earth.
In YT 1115, Orome returns and takes them by the High Pass - the very same pass that would border
Rivendell ages later. As most of the group presses on, a group of the Teleri goes south.
This group is known as the Nandor - meaning “those who go back”. From the Nandor,
we get the Silvan Elves (or Wood Elves), who would inhabit the later realms of Mirkwood and Lorien.
Later, some of the Nandor would make their way into Beleriand
and live in Ossiriand. These elves are known as the Laiquendi or green-elves.
Once again, we return to the Eldar.
They pass through Eriador on what would one day be known as the Great West Road. In YT 1125,
the Vanyar and the Noldor cross the Ered Luin and reach Beleriand. The Teleri, meanwhile,
are lagging behind in Eriador. As we know by now, if you aren’t part of the main pack, you’re gonna
get a new name - so this is the actual moment when the Nelyar come to be known as the Teleri.
In YT 1128, the Teleri finally enter Beleriand. (east of Gelion). During this time, their leader,
Elwe (later known as Thingol) meets and falls in love with the Maia Melian in the Forest of Nan
Elmoth. Trapped in an enchantment of their own making, they would not be seen for over 200 years.
In YT 1132, the Vanyar and the Noldor are taken across the sea on Tol Eressea - an
island which the Vala Ulmo uses to ferry the elves across the Belegaer.
The Teleri are too far away and don’t hear the summons of Ulmo.
In the meantime, some Teleri come to the shores of Beleriand, where the come to love the sea.
Ulmo returns for the Teleri in YT 1150, and most of them take the trip to Valinor.
However, some of the Teleri remain behind once again - becoming the Sindar or Grey Elves.
While some of the Sindar would settle in realms like Mithrim or Doriath
under a re-appeared King Thingol, another group settles on the shores of Beleriand
in a region called Falas - they become known as the Falathrim - and Cirdan is their lord.
Meanwhile, in Aman we now have the entire groups of the Vanyar and Noldor,
as well as a group of the Teleri. These Teleri are also known by the name Falmari.
Back in Middle-earth, all the clans of the elves who do not make the journey to Valinor - that is,
the Avari, the Silvan Elves, the Laiquendi (green-elves), the Sindar,
and the Falathrim are collectively known as the Moriquendi, the Elves of Darkness - these are
not dark elves in the sense of being evil, but they are simply Umanyar - not of Aman.
They are dark elves in the sense that they never beheld the light of the two trees in Valinor
Together, the Vanyar, Noldor, and the Falmari are called the Calaquendi - the Elves of Light
or Light-Elves, as they have seen the light of the Two Trees and lived in the Blessed Realm.
These elves and their descendants would come to be known as the High Elves according to the Dunedain.
While the Vanyar, and a handful of the Noldor will remain in Aman forever,
most of the Noldor will return to Middle-earth,
and become among the most famous elves of the coming ages - Feanor, Fingolfin, Finrod,
Galadriel, Turgon, Gil-galad, Celebrimbor - and so many others that will eventually have their
own videos here on the channel. Among the Sindar, we get elves like Luthein, Beleg, Thranduil, and
Legolas. And of course there will be a number of elves who will be a mixture of these clans - like
Elrond and his twin brother Elros, who are descended not only from the Vanyar, Noldor,
and Sindar, but also a Maia, and all three houses of the Edain - the great men of the First Age.
So, that was a lot of names! Feel free to watch the video again anytime you need a refresher on
the clans of elves. If there’s other complex areas of Tolkien’s lore that has you stumped,
recommend it for a future video in the comments!
As always, I want to say a huge thank you to my Patreon supporters including TomDaBombadil19,
skycarcass, SaleemRehman, Jim Limber Davis, Smorzirk, Matt Schultz, and Zetroc.
Thanks so much for watching and subscribing and we’ll see you next time on Nerd of the Rings!