Taniquetil
The Holy Mountain, The White Mountain
Other names: Amon Uilos, ArfanyarassĂ«, OiolossĂ«, SinsnĂĄw, ElerrĂna
Taniquetil was the tallest mountain in Arda and part of the PelĂłri, the chain of mountains that the Valar raised in Aman to defend their new home after Melkor destroyed their first dwelling on the isle of Almaren. The PelĂłri were known as the Mountains of Aman and the Mountains of Defense in Tolkienâs later works, while they were referred to as the Mountains of Elvenhome in his story Roverandom. While Taniquetil was the highest mountain in both the PelĂłri as well as all of Arda, there were other great mountains in this chain, such as Hyarmentir. In the furthest east of Arda there was a mountain called KalormĂ«, which corresponded to Taniquetil symmetrically and was the second tallest mountain in Arda.
Besides its immense height, Taniquetil also housed Ilmarin, the Halls of ManwĂ« and Varda. The halls were domed and contained the thrones of ManwĂ« and Varda, and spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles constantly brought news of the events of Arda. The name Ilmarin means âmansion of the high airsâ due to the altitude in which itâs located. A high feast was held there to praise Eru Illuvatar and the Valar, Maiar, Vanyar, and Noldor all gathered to participate. The Vanyarin elves were especially close to ManwĂ« and Varda, and many of them eventually settled on the slopes of Taniquetil. When ManwĂ« is on Taniquetil with Varda he can see beyond all eyes through mists and darkness, and when Varda is with him she can hear all voices from every corner of the world.
The Quenya name Taniquetil means High-Snow-Peak, which was translated into Sindarin as Amon Uilos. Another name for Taniquetil was ElerrĂna, which means âCrowned With Starsâ and references both its great height and the fact that it was the home of Varda the Starkindler. Taniquetil also had other names that referred to its snows and the white tone they created. These were OiolossĂ« (Ever-snow-white), ArfanyarassĂ« (High shining white peak), and SinsnĂĄw (Ever-snow).Â
As both the holiest and highest mountain in Arda, Taniquetil serves as Tolkienâs equivalent of Mount Olympus and other similar mythological mountains.
