Durin's Day - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Earendilyon · 10-02-2005, 02:00 PM

Taking the risk that this thread has to be re-relocated, I start a discussion on the actual date of the Dwarves' New Year.

Thorin Oakenshield says in the Hobbit (requoted from tEoA):

Quote:

"The first day of the dwarves' New Year ... is as all should know the first day of the last moon of Autumn on the threshold of Winter."

As we know, Winter starts at the Winter Solstice, which is on or about December 21 (on the Northern Hemisphere that is, but as JRRT's stories for almost 100% took place there, we take that for granted).
From the article Lunar Phase @ Wikipedia I got the information, that 'the last (new) moon of Autumn' in 2005 is December 1, so this year's Dwarvish New Year's Day is December 2, and not tomorrow, as tEoA claims.

[According to the Wikipedia article, on October 3 is this year the first New Moon of Autumn (i.e. the first new moon after the Autumn Equinox, which is on or around September 23), which would mean that the Dwarves' New Year's Day would be on October 4, coinciding with World Animal Day

].

- Earendilyon

Edit: made a few typo corrections, see also here.

Thinlómien · 10-03-2005, 08:05 AM

A nice idea. I myself have never thought about celebrating Durin's Day, because I haven't known when it is. From now, I'll probably at least mark it to my calendar...

Earendilyon · 10-03-2005, 08:24 AM

The question is, of course: which day will you mark on your calender as 'Dwarves' New Year's Day'?

Hookbill the Goomba · 10-03-2005, 09:20 AM

I think, for England at least, it is today. For there was a partial eclipse of the sun today, which if that article in the Encyclopaedia is anything to go by, means that today IS Durin's day in this part of the world.

Earendilyon · 10-03-2005, 09:26 AM

I happen to disagree (see my first post in this thread): today is the first new moon of Autumn, not the last! As Thorin said, the Dwarves' New Year is the first day in the last moon of Autumn.

Edit: made a typo correction, see also here.

Hookbill the Goomba · 10-03-2005, 09:34 AM

Ah, okay, fare point. Still, the eclipse was cool.

So, the question remains, when, if ever, do we say is Durin's day? Some time between now and midwinter would be ideal. Does anyone know when Durin’s day was in The Hobbit? Perhaps that would be a starting point.

Hookbill the Goomba · 10-04-2005, 01:27 AM

I've just had a good read of The Hobbit, mainly the latter chapters in an attempt to date Durin's day. It seems to be defiantly in October, However, it is probably near the middle as the Battle of Five armies takes place at around the 15th or there about. My maths is probably wrong, but from this, I guess that Durin's day in The Hobbit would have been some where around the 10th.

10-03-2005, 08:05 AM	#2
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	A nice idea. I myself have never thought about celebrating Durin's Day, because I haven't known when it is. From now, I'll probably at least mark it to my calendar... __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

10-03-2005, 08:24 AM	#3
Earendilyon Wight Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 166	The question is, of course: which day will you mark on your calender as 'Dwarves' New Year's Day'? __________________ "For I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother me." Dominus Anulorum TolkienGateway - large Tolkien encyclopedia.

10-03-2005, 09:20 AM	#4
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	I think, for England at least, it is today. For there was a partial eclipse of the sun today, which if that article in the Encyclopaedia is anything to go by, means that today IS Durin's day in this part of the world. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

10-03-2005, 09:26 AM	#5
Earendilyon Wight Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 166	I happen to disagree (see my first post in this thread): today is the first new moon of Autumn, not the last! As Thorin said, the Dwarves' New Year is the first day in the last moon of Autumn. Edit: made a typo correction, see also here. __________________ "For I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother me." Dominus Anulorum TolkienGateway - large Tolkien encyclopedia. Last edited by Earendilyon; 10-12-2005 at 05:31 AM.

10-03-2005, 09:34 AM	#6
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	Ah, okay, fare point. Still, the eclipse was cool. So, the question remains, when, if ever, do we say is Durin's day? Some time between now and midwinter would be ideal. Does anyone know when Durin’s day was in The Hobbit? Perhaps that would be a starting point. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

10-04-2005, 01:27 AM	#7
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	I've just had a good read of The Hobbit, mainly the latter chapters in an attempt to date Durin's day. It seems to be defiantly in October, However, it is probably near the middle as the Battle of Five armies takes place at around the 15th or there about. My maths is probably wrong, but from this, I guess that Durin's day in The Hobbit would have been some where around the 10th. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...