Vána

Vána (Quenya; IPA: [ˈvaːna] - "Beautiful One") was an Ainu and a Valië who was responsible for the preserving of the youth made for all life in Arda. Among the seven Valier, Vána was considered the sixth in terms of importance.[1] She was sister of Yavanna and wife of Orome, and was possibly related to Melian. She was also known as "Vána the Ever-Young". Vána is the fourth greatest and most poweful of all the Valar.

Biography

Vána was the younger sister of Yavanna (Queen of the Earth) and the wife of Oromë (Huntsman of the Valar). In Vána's dwellings she had gardens filled with golden flowers; and often, Vána came to the forests of Oromë. Like her sister, the province of Vána was growing things of the world and she was a lover of nature. Vána had influence with the flora and fauna of Middle-earth, and she was associated especially with flowers thus Vána was also known as the "Queen of Flowers".[2]

It was said that when the Valar Tulkas and Nessa were wedded on the Isle of Almaren, the first dwelling of the Valar, Vána robed her sister-in-law Nessa the Swift (sister of Oromë) with her flowers.[3]

In the days of the Two Trees of Valinor, Arien of the Maiar, before she came to carry the vessel of the Sun, had served Vána by tending to the golden flowers of Vána's gardens, watering them with bright dews from golden tree Laurelin.[4] Melian also was another Maia who initially served Vána, before she departed for Middle-earth.[5]

After the Darkening of Valinor and the flight of the Noldor to Middle-Earth, most of the Valar were glad to have their ancient peace back, wishing neither the rumors of Melkor and his violence nor the murmur of the restless Noldor to come upon them again. Thus for such reasons, they clamored for the concealment of their land Aman. It was said that Vána was one among them.

Character

According to The Silmarillion, "All flowers spring as Vána passes and opens if she glances upon them; and all birds sing at her coming."[1] Vána robed herself in flowers and it was said that her hair was golden in color.[7] Vána had the beauty of both heaven and earth upon her face and in all her works.[8] Like Nessa, Vána also sang and danced along with her maidens.

Maiar of Vána Etymology
 * Arien, the Maiar who guided the Sun and created Fire, was one of her Maiar in Valinor.
 * Melian, who later in Middle-earth became Queen of Doriath by marrying the Elf-King Thingol.

The name Vána may have been derived from the Quenya word vanima ("beautiful"), as she is often described as "fair".[9] Hence she was also known as Vána the Fair.