The Elf Life Cycle | Tolkien Explained

In re: the separation of elf spouses, I've seen people griping about Galadriel going off to the west without Celeborn and how it must mean that they don't really like each other much. However, I always picture their next meeting something like this, Galadriel: Hello, dear. I've got the house cleaned up and redecorated. Celebrian and I wove mallorn tree tapestries for the hall and I did the bedroom in blue. Celeborn: Glad to be here, darling. I closed up Lorien and helped the boys tidy up Rivendell. Brings her up to date on what he'd heard about their great-grandchildren (Arwen's kids) With their lifespan it wouldn't be any different than a human couple making a long distance move with one going ahead to get things ready while the other spends a few weeks tying up the loose ends in their old home.

When I first read LOTR and got to the part about Círdan, I remember thinking "He has a beard! He must be REALLY, REALLY, REALLY old!"

I've always wanted to know more about Nerdanel. I can't begin to comprehend the strength of will she must have had. Not to bear 7 sons, but to put up with Feanor.

I remember my grandfather always saying that though it may appear otherwise, Men are in fact the favored children of Illuvatar, as it is to them that he gave his greatest gift: Freedom. Elves are bound to the world and all it's pain and decay until it's ending and cannot escape it even in "death"; the Undying Lands are a respite but not a true escape. Whereas Men are given freedom from the world and it's pain through death.

Most Elves one day: I do not vibe with this universe…

I imagine that baby Elves are more like pixies. They can dance by the age of one, it'd be pretty hilarious if they were chubby little one year old babies at that point.

That explains why the elves left Middle Earth during the Third Age. Having immortality would be a blessing, however they would feel the weight and sorrows since they are bound to the circles of the world.

Thank you for this! I find that most Tolkien’s channels like to cover the origins of elves, humans, and dwarves. However, this is the first telling I have seen on the life cycle of elves (companions to the others would be appreciated as well!). This helps me appreciate the sadness of immortality far better. Great video. Earnestly appreciated.

Every time I go into a LOTR phase (which happens a lot) I always rewatch all my faves from this channel. Thanks for these videos! The quality and style is so awesome

If only those men and numenoreans who yearned for the precious elf immortality knew that most of that time would be spent in the drudgery that is the halls of Mandos until its youre turn to be reincarnated.

Elf life in Nan Dungortheb is the same length as shelf life for Twinkies - eternity unless eaten.

Thanks for the video! My weekend treat is rewatching the extended editions of LOTR 💜

I find it interesting that the Elves wore silver rings during their time of engagement and changed them into rings of gold when they got married, because in general Elves preferred silver.

5:21 Yeah, that explains why elves are in a decline. When were the last days of peace and happiness in Middle Earth.

1:21 Now I know what the true gift of Iluvatar to men was.

I’m reading the Silmarillion and this is going to clear up so much for me! Thanks❤

Immortality could be horrible losing someone you love or being a witness to the end of everything hearing the world go quiet.

This is an interesting concept on the Elf Life Cycle. Also, knowing what happens to them in spirit, it would be great to know where spirits of both Elves and Men go to when they die. Perhaps a video on the afterlife for men and elves and how they differ or share similarities is something worth looking into.

Elvis marriages sound similar to Vulcan relationships 🤣

This is why I said Galadriel in RoP is in dangerous waters forgetting about her husband in season 1. If she were to remarry she would be essentially divorcing him for eternity. That’s why episode 7 is so interesting.