To those who have read the Silmarillion...
 

I noticed this as soon as I read it. We all know the three resting places of the Silmarils are the air (Earendil) and that Maedhros cast himself in a chasm of fire because he was burned by one and Maglor having been burned as well cast the remaining one into the sea. (or was it the other way around???)
Anyway, When I read that it came to me that the three Elven rings of power are Air (Vilya), Fire(Narya), and Water(Nenya). Anyone else notice this????

Hmm, that's an interesting connection. In fact it does rather make some sense. The silmarils were very precious to the elves, so it would make sense that after their loss/destruction, the elves would make something to commemorate them.

I have read a very speculative essay theorizing that the Three Rings were, in fact, a way of tapping into the "power" of the Silmarils. There is no hint of this in Tolkien's writings. Indeed there is no hint that the Silmarils possessed any inherent power or use other than their beauty and the corresponding ability to cause others to lust after them.

Doesn't this go back to some general concepts which men used to hold about the world. Didn't the ancient Greek scientists used to feel that there were three elementals from which all else was made, and these three were water, fire, and air? Please correct me if I am wrong, as science is not my strong point.

sharon, the 7th age hobbit

I always thought it was earth, water, fire and wind(air)...but I am not sure!

If you take it that the Silmarils themselves represented the element of Earth, then the analogy, imo, becomes clearer as then all four elements are involved.

To take it a step further, the three elven rings, could, also being made of 'earth', then tie neatly in with the Air, Fire and Water theory.

More possible connections.

Galadriel wore Nenya, the ring connected to water. Possible connection to the mirror?

Gandalf wore Narya, the ring connected to fire. Possible connection to the secret fire to which Gandalf was a servant?

Elrond wore Vilya, the ring connected to air or wind. I got nothing here.

Elrond bore Vilya the ring of Air. It was surrendered to him by Gil-Galad at his death after fighting Sauron. Elrond's father Earendil was doomed by the Valar to sail his ship in the sky bearing the last Silmaril as a star. Earendil is the brightest and most beloved star of the elves. (Bilbo wrote a song about Earendil, it's in FOTR chapter Many Meetings) It seems fitting that Elrong should bear the ring comemmorating the remaining Silmaril and his father as well does ot not??