The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Location
Rowans grew widely in the mountains of Middle-earth; those specifically named as Orofarnë grew on the slopes of the southern Misty Mountains
Species
Sorbus aucuparia, the rowan or mountain ash
Pronunciation
orofa'rneh
Meaning
'Mountain-dwelling'1
Other names
Carnimírië, Lassemista, Rowans; commonly referred to as the 'mountain ash'

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About this entry:

  • Updated 24 September 2023
  • Updates planned: 1

Orofarnë

A name for the rowan-tree

One of the High-elven names used by Bregalad for the rowans of his home. The trees were destroyed by Orcs, and in his lament for their loss, he named them Orofarnë, and also Lassemista and Carnimírië. The name Orofarnë translates as 'mountain-dwelling', which ties in with the rowan's alternative English name of 'mountain ash'.


Notes

1

When the Ent Bregalad sang of his slain rowan trees, he described them poetically with a string of Elvish names: Orofarnë, Lassemista, Carnimírië. Taken together, those three names provide a Quenya description of the rowan tree: 'mountain-dwelling, leaf-grey, with adornment of red jewels'. This interpretation comes from The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien No 168, dated 1955; the 'red jewels' mentioned here are a reference to the scarlet berries of the tree.

See also...

Lassemista

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 24 September 2023
  • Updates planned: 1

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