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'''''Ainur''''' (singular'' ainu'') are fictional spiritual beings from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s fantasy writings such as [[The Lord of the Rings]] and [[The Silmarillion]]. Tolkien was a commited [[Christian]] and the Ainu can be equated with the [[Angel]]s of [[Christianity]], in that they are the creation and servants of Illuvatar (The Father of All) and for the most part reside with him. In Tolkien's invented languages, Ainur translates as Holy Ones.

'''''Ainur''''' (singular'' ainu'') are fictional spiritual beings from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s fantasy writings such as [[The Lord of the Rings]] and [[The Silmarillion]]. Tolkien was a commited [[Christian]] and the Ainu can be equated with the [[Angel]]s of [[Christianity]], in that they are the creation and servants of Illuvatar (The Father of All) and for the most part reside with him. In [[Tolkien's languages|Tolkien's invented languages]], Ainur translates as Holy Ones.

Like the Angels the Ainur also have a [[Satan]] figure, a corrupted Ainu known as [[Melkor]] (later [[Morgoth]]).

Like the Angels the Ainur also have a [[Satan]] figure, a corrupted Ainu known as [[Melkor]] (later [[Morgoth]]).

In the stories those Ainu who entered the world after its creation by Illuvatar are known as Valar (usually reserved for the few most powerful among them) and Maia (the rest). Maia feature heavily in Tolkien's best known works. [[Gandalf]], The [[Balrog]] and [[Sauron]] are all Maia, though the last two were corrupted by Morgoth. [[Saruman]] was also a Maia who was corrupted by Sauron after he entered [[Middle Earth]].

In the stories those Ainu who entered the world after its creation by Illuvatar are known as Valar (usually reserved for the few most powerful among them) and Maia (the rest). Maia feature heavily in Tolkien's best known works. [[Gandalf]], The [[Balrog]] and [[Sauron]] are all Maia, though the last two were corrupted by Morgoth. [[Saruman]] was also a Maia who was corrupted by Sauron after he entered [[Middle Earth]].