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Dates
Existed throughout the Years of the Trees (perhaps some 14,325 years)1
Location
The mound of Ezellohar, to the west of Valmar in Valinor
Origins
Brought into being by Yavanna
Settlements
Stood close to the city of Valmar
Important peaks
Grew from the Green Mound of Ezellohar
Pronunciation
malina'lda
Meaning
'Golden Tree'
Other names
Culúrien, Laurelin
Titles
The Golden Tree, The Tree of the Sun
Note
This Elvish name is not to be confused with malinornë, a name that also means 'golden tree', but refers to the golden-leafed tree more usually known as the mallorn

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About this entry:

  • Updated 10 May 2025
  • This entry is complete

Malinalda

A rare name for Laurelin

Map of Malinalda
(Somewhat conjectural)
(Somewhat conjectural)

One of the many Elvish names given to the Golden Tree Laurelin. The younger of the Two Trees of Valinor, Malinalda bore clusters of golden flowers on her branches. From these flowers a golden dew fell and was collected by Varda in mighty shimmering vats. Both Malinalda and the White Tree Telperion were ultimately destroyed by Melkor and Ungoliant, but as the Golden Tree died she produced a last golden fruit. That brilliant fruit was preserved and set aloft to sail the skies of Arda, and so the Valar created the Sun.


Notes

1

This figure is calculated from the The Annals of Aman in volume X of The History of Middle-earth. The original source records the time in 'Valian Years', specifically giving a period of 1,495 of these Valian Years from the creation of the Two Trees to their destruction. There are in fact different modes of calculation from Valian Years to solar years, so the figure of 14,325 may not be precise, but it gives a reasonable notion of the period for which Malinalda shone its golden light over Valinor.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 10 May 2025
  • This entry is complete

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