#nevrast

In Summer when the ocean is calm, young children of the Falathrim and the Sindar of Nevrast are given their first lessons in swimming and in living by and respecting the sea that is so central to their lives.

Many youth of the Falathrim learn to sail in the summer, often upon boats they have wrought themselves from wood and flaxen sails and ropes. Sindar children in Nevrast jump from lower cliffs into the water below. At the Havens of the Falas, many activities move outside; the weaving of sails and baskets, stonemasonry, cartography and more are done outside in the nicer weather. Open air forges, rooms where looms are kept and other such work places are constructed specifically so people can work in the mild weather, offering more company and conversation between them.

The Sindar of Mithrim travel frequently in the mild weather. Their homes are constructed for sheltering from harsh conditions and they prefer to live out in the open more than their kin in Doriath and even the Havens. They have two festivals of stars, one of which is held near the summer solstice. Constellations are used as landmarks for meeting places and families often congregate together.

Summer in Doriath is long and green. The movement in the forests is unceasing. There are many periods of heightened activity, song, artistic pursuits, and exploration. It is not uncommon to go without sleep around the solstice for many days. Court in Menengroth is often halted for these periods (I always remember that detail in the Narn too, about Thingol and Melian traveling together in the high summer.)

I headcanon that elves have a specific sense for growth; they can hear and feel for lack of a better phrasing, shoots of grass growing, flowers blooming, roots expanding out. Not all are equally attuned to it or aware of it and some can become extremely overwhelmed by it if their ability to process is affected.

In the Dorthonion highlands, the summers are dry and often dusty. It is common for elves and humans to cover their mouths with cloth in windier weather. Many of the elves retreat deeper into the pine forests where there is more reliable sources of water and shade. A lot of time is devoted to the crafts and projects that can be accomplished here, mainly weapons manufacturing from conifer wood and bark, building shelters, and cartography.

Sindar of Doriath

Nightingales Generally ascribed meanings: the Queen Melian, song, love and devotion, bonding, joy

Bracken fern and fiddleheads fern Generally ascribed meanings: geometry and order

Beech Leaves: Generally ascribed meanings: Abundance, generosity, resourcefulness

Holly leaves Generally Ascribed Meanings: honor, defense, resilience

Oak leaves Generally ascribed meanings: Friendship, loyalty

Niphradel and snowdrops Generally ascribed meanings: purity, youth, innocence, cycles

Elanor Generally ascribed meanings: light, growth, curiosity

Bluebells Generally ascribed meanings: spring, fleet footedness

Elm leaves Generally ascribed meanings: the king, service, steadfastness

Sindar of Mithrim

Nettles, stem, leaves and flowers Generally ascribed meanings: nettles are used in the northern Sindar culture in a variety of ways including fiber for fabric, eating, and medicinal teas. Their appearing in heraldry, art and symbolism is usually believed to mean resilience, the change of winters to spring, and the earths resources

Clouds Generally ascribed meanings: the heavens, tranquility

Outline of mountains Generally ascribed meanings: history, family, honesty

Wolf's Bane Generally ascribed meanings: Lore, knowledge

Blue bellflower: Generally ascribed meanings: color, joy, exploration

Trout Generally ascribed meanings: home, water

Lake birds (herons, swans) Generally ascribed meanings: grace, flight, legacy

Lake birds (ducks, loons, teals) Generally ascribed meanings: cycles of life and predation, respect for land

Fir tree Generally ascribed meanings: shadow and light, truth

Sunflowers Generally ascribed meanings: joy, sun, day

Sindar of Nevrast (non Falathrim) Aquatic birds one (ducks/shelducks/grebe/teals/eider/sea ducks) Generally Ascribed meanings: stability, peace, family

Aquatic birds two (cranes/egrets/herons) Generally ascribed meanings: grace, skill, aptitude, seeking

Aquatic birds three (loons, crakes, rails, etc) Generally ascribed meanings: song, mystery, change

Ripples on a lake Generally ascribed meanings: the world, the ages, time

The clifflines of Nevrast: Generally ascribed meanings: strength, wisdom

Marsh grasses: Generally ascribed meanings: roots, abundance

Sea Lavender Generally ascribed meanings: the lands and sea, gentleness

Sunflower or daisy

Generally ascribed meanings: resilience, loyalty

General among the Sindar of Beleriand:

hummingbirds generally ascribed meanings: pollination, flora and fauna, wonder

butterflies and dragonflies generally ascribed meanings: change and transformation, fragility and beauty

willow trees generally ascribed meanings: peace, connection to Ulmo, mystery, prophecy

Obviously this isn't a complete list as many, many species of flora and fauna have their own meanings! Please feel free to ask about any or ask any world building questions! I hope this is ok!