Ainur (Q. Ainur, "Holy Ones") — the first and greatest beings created by Eru Ilúvatar before the appearance of time, the world, and Arda itself. They were the performers of the Great Music from which the Universe — Eä — arose. Later, some of the Ainur descended into the created world, where the mightiest became the Valar, and the rest became the Maiar.

Origin

Before the material world existed, there was only Eru Ilúvatar — the One. His first creation were the Ainur. Tolkien describes them as "the offspring of Ilúvatar's thought": each embodied a certain facet of their Creator's design and understood only that part of His will from which they were made. Only Melkor received a share of the abilities inherent in almost all other Ainur, which made him the most powerful among them.

Ilúvatar taught the Ainur music. Over time, individual melodies turned into a grand symphony — the Music of the Ainur, which became the foundation of all future creation.

The Music of the Ainur and the Creation of the World

By the will of Ilúvatar, the Ainur performed the Great Music. Each wove their own themes into it, but all were to form a single harmony.

During the performance, Melkor attempted to alter the Creator's design. Desiring to rise above the others and create something belonging only to him, he introduced his own discords into the music. Many lesser spirits were confused or even joined his theme.

But Ilúvatar several times created new themes that not only overcame the chaos but incorporated it into the overall design. After the Music was finished, He showed the Ainur a Vision of the world born from their song, and then spoke the word "Eä!" ("Let it be!"), turning the vision into reality. Thus the Universe came into being.

Descent into Eä

After the creation of the world, many Ainur wished to enter it to complete what was begun in the Music and prepare Arda for the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar — Elves and Men.

From that moment, a division arose among them.

• Valar — fourteen greatest spirits who became the Lords of Arda.
• Maiar — numerous but less powerful spirits who served the Valar.

The fifteenth of the mightiest was Melkor, but he rejected the role of guardian of the world and became the first Dark Lord.

Valar and Maiar

Although the names "Valar" and "Maiar" are often perceived as different races, they are actually two groups of the same people — the Ainur.

Valar governed the great forces of the world: seas, winds, earth, stars, life, and fate.

Maiar served them, performing countless tasks. Among the Maiar were:

• Gandalf;
• Saruman;
• Sauron;
• Balrogs;
• Melian;
• Ossë;
• Uinen.

All belong to the same origin, differing only in power and purpose.

Form

By nature, the Ainur are bodiless spirits. They have no need for physical bodies and can take any form at will.

Most often they appeared in forms resembling Elves or Men, but they could also take completely different shapes — radiant beings, giants, animals, or even remain invisible.

After long sojourn in Arda, many became increasingly bound to their chosen form. This was especially true for those who frequently interacted with the inhabitants of the world.

Immortality

The Ainur are the only truly immortal beings in Tolkien's legendarium.

They existed before the beginning of time and are not dependent on the material world. Even if their physical form is destroyed, the essence of the Ainur does not perish. That is why Sauron was able to survive the destruction of his body several times, though each defeat made him weaker.

The Fall of Melkor

The most powerful of all the Ainur was Melkor. His desire for absolute power began during the Great Music, when he tried to replace Ilúvatar's design with his own.

After entering Arda, he waged war against the other Valar, corrupted the created world, and seduced some of the Maiar to his side. Among his followers were Sauron and the fire spirits that later became Balrogs. It is with Melkor that the history of evil begins in all of Tolkien's world.

The Second Music of the Ainur

In later texts, Tolkien mentions the Second Music of the Ainur. According to prophecy, after the end of the world, the Ainur will again gather before Ilúvatar, but this time together with Men and Elves. The new song will be more perfect than the first, and a renewed Arda will arise without the distortions introduced by Melkor.

Interesting Facts

• The word Ainur in Quenya means "Holy Ones."
• All Valar and Maiar are Ainur.
• Balrogs and Sauron were originally Maiar, and therefore also Ainur.
• Melkor was the most powerful of all spirits created by Ilúvatar.
• The Ainur existed before the appearance of space, time, and the Universe itself.
• The history of Arda begins not with the creation of the world, but with the Great Music of the Ainur, which became its foundation.