Middle-earth Cosmology

This is an overview of the cosmology of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. Each entry is followed by any alternative names, any roughly corresponding primary world name in parentheses, and a brief description. A question mark after the primary world name indicates that the identification may be partially speculative or disputed.

  • Timeless Halls (Heaven) — The home of Eru (God) outside of Time. They are similar to Heaven in that they exist outside the boundaries of the universe and in that they do not have a physical form. Some hypothesize they are the final destination of the souls of Men; however, it is a greater possibility they may be only a temporary, intermediate dwelling before the restoration of Arda. In fact, it is confirmed in the tale of Adanel that Men return to Eru, but it is doubtful if that tale can be considered canon, although Christopher Tolkien once considered putting it in the appendices of The Silmarillion.
  • The Void, Avakúma, Kúma, the Outer Dark, the Eldest Dark, the Everlasting Dark — An abstract uninhabited region of nothingness described as existing outside the Timeless Halls, Arda, and all of Eä. It is possible that the Void outside of Eä and the one surrounding Arda were different, but this is not clearly defined. Nothing of any power or strength can be used within the Void. Melkor was cast into The Void after the War of Wrath, and Sauron was also cast into the void after the destruction of the One Ring but legend predicts their return to the world before the end.
  • Eä (the Universe) — Eä is the Quenya name for the universe, as a realization of the vision of the Ainur. The word comes from the Quenya word for to be. Thus, Eä is the World that Is, as distinguished from the World that Is Not. It may thus be assumed that everything outside Eä, including the Timeless Halls, has no material form. The Ainur, angelic beings from the Timeless Halls beyond Eä, refer to it as "the Little Kingdom", because all creation that humans can perceive is tiny in comparison to the mind of Eru Ilúvatar (God). Eä was the word spoken by Eru Ilúvatar by which he brought the universe into actuality.
    • Arda, Ilu — See Arda. The world, including everything in the skies around it.
      • Vaiya, Ekkaia, the Enfolding Ocean, the Encircling Sea (Outer space) — A dark sea that surrounds the world before the cataclysm at the end of the Second Age. Vaiya flows completely around the world, forming a sea below it and a form of air above it. Arda is described as floating on Vaiya, like a ship on a sea. Ulmo the Lord of Waters dwells in Vaiya, below the roots of Arda. Vaiya is described as extremely cold: where its waters meet the waters of Belegaer in the northwest of Middle-earth a chasm of ice is formed, the Helcaraxë. Vaiya cannot support any ships except the boats of Ulmo: the ships of the Númenóreans that tried to sail on it sank, drowning the sailors. The Sun passes through Vaiya on its way around the world, warming it as it passes. After Arda was made round Vaiya apparently disappeared, although it may have been changed into the upper atmosphere of the world.
        • Ilmen (the Solar system) — A region of clean air pervaded by light, before the cataclysm at the end of the Second Age. The stars and other celestial bodies are found in this region. Tolkien likely derived its name from ilma, the Finnish word for air. The Moon passes through Ilmen on its way around the world, plunging down the Chasm of Ilmen on its way back.
          • Alcarinque, Morwen Silindo (Jupiter?)
          • Anarrima
          • Anor, Ur (the Sun) See Sun (Middle-earth).
          • Borgil (Aldebaran?)
          • Carnil (Mars?)
          • Eärendil’s Star, Gil-Amdir, Gil-Estel, Gil-Oresetel, Gil-Orrain (Venus)
          • Eksiqilta, Ekta- (Orion’s Belt)
          • Elemmire (Mercury?)
          • Helluin, Gil, Nielluin, Nierninwa (Sirius)
          • Ithil, Silmo, (the Moon) See Moon (Middle-earth).
          • Luinil (Uranus?)
          • Lumbar (Saturn?)
          • Menelvagor, Daimord, Menelmacar, Mordo, Swordsman of the Sky, Taimavar, Taimondo, Telimbektar, Telimektar, Telumehtar (Orion) — A constellation meant to represent Túrin Turambar and his eventual return to defeat Melkor in The Last Battle. Menelmacar superseded the older form, Telumehtar (which nonetheless continued in use), and was itself adopted into Sindarin as Menelvagor.
          • Morwinyon (Arcturus)
          • Nenar (Neptune?)
          • Remmirath, Itselokte, Sithaloth, (Pleiades)
          • Soronúme
          • Telumendil
          • Til
          • Valacirca, the Sickle of the Valar, Burning Briar, Durin’s Crown, Edegil, Otselen, the Plough, Seven Stars, Seven Butterflies, Silver Sickle, Timbridhil, (Ursa Major / Big Dipper) — An important constellation of seven stars set in the sky by Varda as an enduring warning to Melkor and his servants, and which precipitated the Awakening of the Elves. It also formed the symbol of Durin, seen on the doors of Moria, and inspired a song of defiance from Beren. According to the Silmarillion it was set in the Northern Sky as a sign of doom for Melkor and a sign of hope for the Elves. The Valacirca is one of the few constellations named in the book, another significant one being Menelmacar.
          • Wilwarin (Cassiopeia?)
          • Vista, Air (the Atmosphere) — Vista is the breathable air.
            • Fanyamar, Cloudhome — The upper air where clouds form.
            • Aiwenórë, Bird-land — The lower air where the paths of birds are found.
              • Ambar, Imbar (Earth) — The actual solid land mass of the world. Middle-earth is one continent of Ambar.
              • Ëar (Oceans) — The seas of the world.