Snow angels

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Perhaps his grace and poise enabled him to walk on it much as it would allow a ballet dancer to stand on her toes

Don't forget to include the phrase "high pain threshold" in that comparison. Dancing en pointe hurts.

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I think a correlative question is 'would they want to?'

The play of elves seems very serious stuff, full of Art, Wonder, Beauty and High Moral Purpose, but making snow angels reflects the very heart of play, at least for children--creativity and curiosity about all elements of the world, play for no ulterior purpose other than sheer delight in doing something, the release of pent up energy, no concern for posterity or eternity but a complete abandon to this moment in time.

No, doesn't sound like elves to me.

Tra la la lally, I say to you.

Now the question... could Elves make snow angels. Wouldn't it be based entirely on how lightly they tread at all times? Perhaps the silence in which they pass through the woods is not because of exact and developed craft but because they barely touch the ground? Would the half-dwelling in the spiritual land experienced by the Eldar affect their physical bodies? It is not necessarily that they intentionally can caper about upon the snow as that they just sort of... do. But, as I have no quotes or anything to back me up, feel free to ignore me.

[alatar]

And to throw this in:

Humans in Tolkien's world, even the best of them (Beren, Aragorn) are still below their immortal cousins, the Firstborn.

• Humans make cram or waybread. Elves make lembas.

• Humans take pride in a ship named the "Wooden Whale." The Elves have the "Foam Flower."

• Humans make snow angels. Assuming that an Elf overcame whatever (lacking the density, gravity, mood, whimsy, etc) and actually made a snow angel, then surely this impression would have to be at least an archangel...

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Tra la la lally, I say to you.

Now, Fea, I beg you to consider the terms of reference with which Alatar began this thread.

Originally Posted by Alatar

Anyway, in FOTR we learn that when the Fellowship is attempting the Redhorn Pass that Legolas barely makes an impression in the snow with his slipper-covered feet. Is this something that he is actively doing, meaning that he could sink into the snow if he so chose, or is it something innate to elvish kind, where snow angels would exist only in their dreams?

Far be it from me to get into davemian Legendarium question about Elves and elves, but my comments pertained solely to the terms Alatar initially set up.
Although perhaps we could consider whether any of TH elves would produce an effect similar to that of Legolas, which is essentially no effect?

I can't recall any snow on the Misty Mountains. And although there were Light-elves and Deep-elves and Sea-elves in TH, I cannot recall any Snow-elves though. Is there any mention of snow at all in TH?

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Bethberry

I can't recall any snow on the Misty Mountains. And although there were Light-elves and Deep-elves and Sea-elves in TH, I cannot recall any Snow-elves though. Is there any mention of snow at all in TH?

The main action of The Hobbit takes place from Spring through the Summer, so there is no snow in terms of it posing a hazard; the party does not pass through any snow. The white stuff is mentioned, but only as 'scenery', on the peaks of the mountains. However, Bilbo's return to The Shire is delayed due to the risk of snow.

I'd suppose Snow-elves would only exist in a region which was permanently snowy, and we don't know of any that do. Though I do like the sound of Snow-elves.

Originally Posted by Bethberry

Far be it from me to get into davemian Legendarium question about Elves and elves

I like the sound of davemist better though.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Though I do like the sound of Snow-elves.

Well, there were snow-men, so why not?

davemology? davemological?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

davemaic?

And take a look at the races of Middle Earth:

Wee hobbit lads pelting each other with snowballs as the hobbit men and women sit comfortably by the fire.

Grumpy dwarves, trudging through drifts, with miserable expressions.

Children of men building castles in the snow.

Ents... thinking about it.

And Elves? Who better than those who truly appreciate the beauty of nature to frolic in it? Though I daresay they might be hesitant to disturb the fresh powder... after all, untouched snow does gleam so beautifully in the morning.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by SpM

Well, there were snow-men, so why not?

The Men who lived on the shores of Forochel, the Lossoth, were also known as the Snow-men; and it was here that the Elven ship foundered when it came to rescue King Arvedui. It is possible that Elves and Men did meet on that occasion, and possibly mix at other times?

Originally Posted by SpM

davemology? davemological?

Well, davemology might properly be defined as the study of davem, as in Biology, etc.

What about davemism as a socio-political-philosophical system? In the manner of Communism and Capitalism?

[davem]

Originally Posted by Fea

Would the half-dwelling in the spiritual land experienced by the Eldar affect their physical bodies? It is not necessarily that they intentionally can caper about upon the snow as that they just sort of... do.

Its possible, I suppose, that living in both worlds at the same time they could somehow 'shift their weight' between them. When they sail West is it as much a spiritual as physical movement? What I mean is that they shift dimensions as much as travel in physical space. If that was the case then its possible that when Legolas stood on the surface of the snow he wasn't completely in the physical world. The spiritaul realm probably obeys different physical laws - which may explain Legolas ability to 'see' 105 Rohirrim warriors at such a great distance.

BTW - ? Davemist or Tolkienist - I think the terms are pretty interchangeable

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by SpM

Well, there were snow-men, so why not?

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

The Men who lived on the shores of Forochel, the Lossoth, were also known as the Snow-men; and it was here that the Elven ship foundered when it came to rescue King Arvedui. It is possible that Elves and Men did meet on that occasion, and possibly mix at other times?

Originally Posted by SpM

That's who I meant.

Let us not forget the snow-trolls around Helm's Deep during the terrible Long Winter, who Helm was said to appear like as he stormed the camps of the enemy.

Originally Posted by davem

BTW - ? Davemist or Tolkienist - I think the terms are pretty interchangeable

Hold on here! Are you suggesting, davem, that you are Tol-keener than SpM or Sharkey or Legolas or Estelyn or Aiwendil or Fordim or burrahobbit or the great and mighty Mithadan?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

davemism

Is that similar to "euphemism"? Would a "davemism" then be a way of expressing something with particularly complicated sentences and words, hunting it down by going around it in circles until it gives up?

Ahem! To post something at least reasonably on topic - perhaps Elves would make "sand angels" on the shores of the Grey Havens before leaving Middle-Earth?

If you can't get more seriously on topic than that, Esty, you'll have to move this thread to Mirth...