Constellations of ME

[Arathiriel]

Are constellations ever mentioned in LOTR? For that mater, are there any stars that are held special regard? And if so what are their names and what significance do they hold to the people of ME?

Thanks! smilies/tongue.gif

[piosenniel]

Here is a link to constellations of Middle-earth:

STARS (http://users.cybercity.dk/~bkb1782/tolkien/starsframe.html)

Enjoy! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Arathiriel]

Thank you!!!

[Frodo Baggins]

Yes Venus is Earendil.

When you watch the sun set, the first "star" to come out is Venus, which usually appears immediately after sunset, sometimes before. Whenever I see it I call it Earendil, because that is what earendil looks like, and it is Earendil.

[Evenstar1]

Very cool! Thanks so much piosenniel!!! smilies/cool.gif smilies/smile.gif

[Raefindel]

I remember recognizing when Tolkien mentioned the constelation Orion, It mentions his belt.

That's a great link Pio, I found the page right away. It's in Fellowship, page 111, when the Hobbits were with Gildor. Tolkien called Orion "Swordsman of the sky, Menelvagor".

[ October 06, 2002: Message edited by: Raefindel ]

[piosenniel]

Orion is Menelvagor in ME.

If you'll look at the constellation map link in the earlier post, it is detailed there, along with a quote concerning it and where the quote comes from.