Welcome Spring

Niphredil means’ snowdrop’ is a small, delicate  white flower that can be found in Doriath and later in Cerin Amroth, Lothlorien. By the end  the Third Age, niphredil no longer blooms in the Mortal lands. Yet memories of this beautiful bloom still remain in Middle-earth where the more common snowdrop flower is still considered a symbol of hope, purity and humility. And perhaps power as well as the delicate snowdrop is the first flower to flourish and bloom in the midst of late winter snow and frost.

Elanor means ‘sun star’ is a small star-shaped flower originally from Tol Eressëa that can only be found in Middle-earth on Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien. This beautiful golden flower will also disappear from Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age as the time of the Elves comes to an end. Memories of this flower will endure in the heart of the Shire after Samwise Gamgee names his daughter Elanor The Fair.

Alfrin is the elvish name of the flower Men call Simbelmynë that grows in Rohan and can be found  around burial sites. Alfrin is sundarin means ‘ not dying’ a reference to the fact this is a flower able to blossom during the whole of the year. Like other flowers in Middle-earth , the Alfrin, or Evermind as it is sometime called, grew originally in the distant land of Gondolin in the First Age.  Used mainly as a burial bloom on the tombs of kings, it represent eternal life after death.

There are many more flowers in Middle-earth, many growing in the wild, and many in gardens. It is no coincidence that one of the greatest heros of Middle-earth, Samwise Gamgee is a gardener. Sam’s connection  with nature is evident through his occupation of gardening. Every flower, herb, or tree that grow in a garden or in the wild are symbols of hope against the mechanics of evil.

"The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due.’  This is all we need to find hope and happiness, a small garden, for there is nothing more beautiful than nature in Middle-earth. Nature represent all that is good and fair in the world, so as we welcome spring and the blooming of the flowers, we renew our bonds with nature, from the Shire to Lothlrien, from Gondor to Rohan and beyond, as one people set to defend all that is good and fair in Middle-earth.

For what do I need,

When you get right down to it?

Just a garden and seed,

And the love to pursue it.

Article by Amorey - Laurelin Archives Webteam