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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 languages|Tolkien's invented languages]], Ainur translates as Holy Ones.

'''Ainur''' (Singular '''Ainu''') are fictional spiritual beings from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s [[Middle-earth|Middle-earth legendarium]]. The Ainur were the first beings created by Eru Ilúvatar. The word ''Ainur'' is from the [[Quenya]] language, and translates as "Holy Ones".  

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

As the first creation and servants of God, Eru Ilúvatar, the Ainur can be seen as similar to the [[Angel]]s of [[Christianity]].<ref>"The cycles begin with a cosmogonical myth: the Music of the Ainur. God and the Valar (or powers: Englished as gods) are revealed. These latter are as we should say angelic powers, whose function is to exercise delegated authority in their spheres (of rule and government, not creation, making or re-making)." ''The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien'', #131</ref>

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 beginning the Ainur came from Eru Ilúvatar. After the creation of the world, Eä, some of the Ainur enterend into it, while the others stayed outside. Those of the Ainur that entered into Eä are known as '''Valar''' and '''Maiar'''. The Valar are a small group of those that were the most powerful and who became the leaders of the Ainur in Eä. The Maiar are those that were less powerful, and are great but uncounted in number. The Valar and Maiar were able to clothe themselves in any physical form they wished, and often took forms resembling the Children of Ilúvatar, the [[Quendi|Elves]] and Men. Many of them took a great part in the shaping the world, and most of them have some part of creation or craft especially dear to them, of which they are guardians.

 

 

The '''Valar''' ([[Quenya]] "the Powers", Singular '''Vala''') are the most powerful of the Ainur that entered into Eä. At the beginning there were fifteen of them. But the Vala [[Melkor]] became corrupted and worked against the others, and was cast out of their ranks; he was later known as [[Morgoth]]. The remaining fourteen Valar are divided equally into seven male "Lords of the Valar" and seven female "Queens of the Valar"; the female Valar are also called '''Valier''' (Singular '''Valië''').

 

The Lords of the Valar were: Manwë Súlimo, Ulmo, Aulë, Oromë, Mandos (Námo), Lórien (Irmo), and Tulkas. The Valier were: Varda Elentári (Elbereth Gilthoniel), Yavanna Kementári, Nienna, Estë, Vairë, Vána, and Nessa.

 

The '''Aratar''' ([[Quenya]]: "Exalted") are the eight most powerful of the Valar. The brothers Lórien and Mandos are together known as the '''Fëanturi''' ("Masters of Spirits").

 

The '''Maiar''' ([[Quenya]] "the Beautiful", Singular '''Maia''') are lesser Ainur that entered into Eä. Their number is unknown. Many Maiar live as followers to one of the Valar.

 

Among those of the Maiar that later followed the Vala [[Morgoth]] were [[Sauron]] and the [[Balrog]]s.  

 

The '''Istari''' ([[Quenya]] "Wise Ones", singular '''Istar''') are a group of Maiar that came to Middle-earth in the [[Middle-earth chronology|Third Age]]. Among the peoples of Middle-earth they were often called "'''Wizards'''", and the individual Istari also became known by many names. They were sent to help and guide the peoples of Middle-earth in their struggles against [[Sauron]].

 

The Istari arrived in Middle-earth in the eleventh century of the Third Age. They appeared in the physical form of old men, and were bound and limited by this form, although they still kept some of the knownledge and power of their true selves.  

 

The Istari were Curumo ([[Saruman]]), Olórin ([[Gandalf]]), Aiwendil (Radagast), and the '''Blue Wizards'''. While the former stayed mostly in the west of Middle-earth, the Blue Wizards went into the far east. It is unknown what became of them, but they probably failed or were themselves corrupted.

 

 

[[Category:Middle-earth]]