Fëa

The Children of Ilúvatar ((Elves and Men) are described as existing as two parts: they have a "spirit" or "soul" called Fea which comes from the Secret Fire of Ilúvatar, and a body or Hroa, which is made out of Arda.

According to the Elves, the Fea is powerless without the Hroa, and likewise the Hroa would die without the Fea. The Elves' fate is to live as long as the Arda exists: they are bound to the world and cannot leave it.

Unlike Men, Elves do not die of disease and do not die of old age. However, Elves may be slain or lose the will to live, for instance because of grief. When an Elf dies, the Fea leaves the Hroa, which will then "die". The Fea is called to the Halls of Mandos, where it is judged. If allowed by Mandos, the Fea may be reincarnated into a new-born body that is identical to the previous Hroa.

Some Feär may decide to stay in Mandos, or be denied reincarnation, for example when much evil was done by the Fea. In such a case the wait might be very long, or in certain cases the Fea would never be allowed to leave Mandos.

The situation with Men is different: a Mannish Fea is only a visitor to Arda, and when the Hroa dies, the Fea leaves Arda completely. For this reason it is said the Fates of Men and Elves are sundered.

The choice of the Half-elven is one of the Fea, and not of the Hroa: Lúthien chose the Fate of Men, and as such her Fea passed out of Arda and was lost to her kin.

Not only the Children of Ilúvatar possessed Fea: Feär were also granted to the Ents and some animals, such as the great Eagles and Huan the great Hound. When Ilúvatar adopted Aulë's children, the Dwarves, he granted them, too, Feär of their own.

See also: Macha, Orc, Secret Fire

Referenced By