Physical Form Of The VALAR - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

R. · 01-09-2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ulvenok

This can't really be answered

But I'm sure since they could cloth themself in any form, they probably fought in several "physical" forms

Well I just curious of peoples opinions is all.

Avanti · 01-09-2013, 08:44 AM

the valar

are avatars

of eru

fractals

of the greater

consciousness

their bodies

are mere clothes

melkor

desiring

separatedness

merged with matter

and was thus

unable

to change form

tolkien

was not a polytheist

my own view

is a mix

of the tolkienesque

and the lovecraftian

William Cloud Hicklin · 01-09-2013, 11:47 AM

Well, they were "arrayed in forms young and fair and terrible." That's all T tells us.

Galin · 01-09-2013, 12:28 PM

Technically Tolkien revised 'the sons of the Gods were young and fair and terrible' --> 'the host of the Gods were arrayed in forms of Valinor'

The meaning of which I'm not exactly sure, but Christopher Tolkien published: 'for the host of the Valar were arrayed in forms young and fair and terrible'

But some have wondered if perhaps the Valar themselves did not attend

Despite the resulting devastation to Beleriand.

Rikae · 01-09-2013, 01:06 PM

Young and fair and terrible without any other descriptor certainly suggests humanoid to me, especially since that seems to be the default in the Valaquenta (with mentions of faces and raiment, and Yavanna apparently usually in the form of a woman).

Boring as it might seem, I'm going to go with "giant, pretty elves".

Inziladun · 01-09-2013, 05:32 PM

I would say that when the Valar were engaged in warfare, it could have been an advantage for them to have had especially fearsome, awe-inspiring visages. That would have been a particular aid in demoralizing Morgoth's lesser servants.

Glorthelion · 01-11-2013, 06:06 AM

I would say they fought in 'ghostly' and physical forms.

01-09-2013, 11:47 AM	#3
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	Well, they were "arrayed in forms young and fair and terrible." That's all T tells us. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

01-09-2013, 05:32 PM	#6
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	I would say that when the Valar were engaged in warfare, it could have been an advantage for them to have had especially fearsome, awe-inspiring visages. That would have been a particular aid in demoralizing Morgoth's lesser servants. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

01-11-2013, 06:06 AM	#7
Glorthelion Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 58	I would say they fought in 'ghostly' and physical forms. __________________ What did Aragorn say when Gandalf died in Moria? Damn Gulf

01-09-2013, 08:44 AM	#2
Avanti Banned Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 6	the valar are avatars of eru fractals of the greater consciousness their bodies are mere clothes melkor desiring separatedness merged with matter and was thus unable to change form tolkien was not a polytheist my own view is a mix of the tolkienesque and the lovecraftian

01-09-2013, 12:28 PM	#4
Galin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,036	Technically Tolkien revised 'the sons of the Gods were young and fair and terrible' --> 'the host of the Gods were arrayed in forms of Valinor' The meaning of which I'm not exactly sure, but Christopher Tolkien published: 'for the host of the Valar were arrayed in forms young and fair and terrible' But some have wondered if perhaps the Valar themselves did not attend Despite the resulting devastation to Beleriand.

01-09-2013, 01:06 PM	#5
Rikae Mellifluous Maia Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A glade open to the stars, deep in Nan Elmoth Posts: 3,489	Young and fair and terrible without any other descriptor certainly suggests humanoid to me, especially since that seems to be the default in the Valaquenta (with mentions of faces and raiment, and Yavanna apparently usually in the form of a woman). Boring as it might seem, I'm going to go with "giant, pretty elves".