Ears of the Elves - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Cúdae · 11-25-2002, 09:05 PM

I am unsure of where exactly this little question of mine should go, but as I am looking for someone who is very familiar with Tolkien's works, there is no better place than the books!

To my question: Do elves have pointed ears?

I know that this question sounds silly and stupid, but it has been gnawing at me for awhile. I checked the Silmarillion and found no mention of Elves having pointed ears there, nor did I find anything in Unfinished Tales or the Lord of the Rings. I could have overlooked something, but is it just me, or does Tolkien no where mention that Elves have pointed ears. Most of us envision them with pointed ears, but do they really have them?

Please don't fall over laughing. I would really like to know whether I am just crazy and have missed something in the books, or if I have a real question here.

Manwe Sulimo · 11-25-2002, 09:13 PM

I haven't been able to find that either, but before the movie came out I never envisioned Elves with pointed ears. Seems to Vulcan-esque to me.

burrahobbit · 11-25-2002, 09:14 PM

Yes.

obloquy · 11-25-2002, 09:16 PM

Tolkien says that Men and Elves were physically identical. If Tolkien's Elves had pointy ears, so did his Men.

***Sharkû*** · 11-26-2002, 05:35 AM

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin...=002247#000017

Cúdae · 11-26-2002, 06:32 PM

Thanks Sharku! I have never read Tolkien's letters or the Histories (though I am impatiently waiting for some volumes to arrive...but that's another story!). Just so you know, I did do a search for this topic but my lovely computer refused to obey. Anyway, thank you, that was a question that had been eating away at me. The Elves I picture still do not have pointed ears. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Rumil · 12-06-2002, 02:35 PM

I think I remember in one of the HoME books, that elves have leaf-shaped ears. I take that to mean they were a bit more pointy than ours but not overly 'Vulcanesque'.

Of course I suppose it depends on the type of leaf, lets hope it wasn't Maple!

11-25-2002, 09:05 PM	#1
Cúdae Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 160	Ears of the Elves I am unsure of where exactly this little question of mine should go, but as I am looking for someone who is very familiar with Tolkien's works, there is no better place than the books! To my question: Do elves have pointed ears? I know that this question sounds silly and stupid, but it has been gnawing at me for awhile. I checked the Silmarillion and found no mention of Elves having pointed ears there, nor did I find anything in Unfinished Tales or the Lord of the Rings. I could have overlooked something, but is it just me, or does Tolkien no where mention that Elves have pointed ears. Most of us envision them with pointed ears, but do they really have them? Please don't fall over laughing. I would really like to know whether I am just crazy and have missed something in the books, or if I have a real question here. __________________ "And if you listen very hard/ The tune will come to you at last/ When all are one and one is all/ To be a rock and not to roll." --Led Zeppelin "Stairway to Heaven"

11-25-2002, 09:13 PM	#2
Manwe Sulimo Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Taurelilómëa-tumbalemorna Tumbaletaurëa Lómëanor Posts: 553	I haven't been able to find that either, but before the movie came out I never envisioned Elves with pointed ears. Seems to Vulcan-esque to me. __________________ "Monkeys learn sign language so they can tell the dolphins they love them."

11-25-2002, 09:14 PM	#3
burrahobbit Hidden Spirit Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,424	Yes. __________________ What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?

11-26-2002, 06:32 PM	#6
Cúdae Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 160	Thanks Sharku! I have never read Tolkien's letters or the Histories (though I am impatiently waiting for some volumes to arrive...but that's another story!). Just so you know, I did do a search for this topic but my lovely computer refused to obey. Anyway, thank you, that was a question that had been eating away at me. The Elves I picture still do not have pointed ears. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ "And if you listen very hard/ The tune will come to you at last/ When all are one and one is all/ To be a rock and not to roll." --Led Zeppelin "Stairway to Heaven"

12-06-2002, 02:35 PM	#7
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 893	I think I remember in one of the HoME books, that elves have leaf-shaped ears. I take that to mean they were a bit more pointy than ours but not overly 'Vulcanesque'. Of course I suppose it depends on the type of leaf, lets hope it wasn't Maple! __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

11-25-2002, 09:16 PM	#4
obloquy Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: WA Posts: 935	Tolkien says that Men and Elves were physically identical. If Tolkien's Elves had pointy ears, so did his Men.

11-26-2002, 05:35 AM	#5
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,719	http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin...=002247#000017