Of the many spirits that descended into Arda at its beginning, there were those of lesser stature than the Valar (though they were still powerful) who were known as the Maiar. Each of the Maiar was attached to the 'people' of a particular Vala. So, for example, the Maia Ossë, as a spirit of the sea, belonged to the people of Ulmo, while Curumo, the Maia who came to Middle-earth as Saruman, belonged to the people of Aulë the Smith.

In the Third Age, there were still Maiar in physical form to be found in Middle-earth. The most important of these were Saruman, Sauron (originally also of Aulë's people), and Olórin, known as Gandalf, who belonged to the people of Manwë and Varda.

The list below includes the few Maiar who were known by name outside Aman. Beings of uncertain status, such as Ungoliant, are not shown here.

Notes 1 We're given no explanation of the word Maiar, and only scarce clues to even point to a possible meaning. In earlier texts, before the word Maiar had appeared, these beings were known as Vanimor the 'Beautiful' (with a corresponding Úvanimor, the 'Ugly', for the monsters of Morgoth). The word Maiar first arose in an amendment to a reference to the Vanimor, so possibly the word can also be taken to mean the 'Beautiful'. If so, however, it uses a word for beauty not elsewhere recorded, and it is difficult to reconcile with beings such as Balrogs, which were also accounted Maiar. The element mai does appear in Elvish, where it derives from a root maƷ- meaning 'hand' (it appears, for instance, in the name Angamaitë, the 'iron-handed'). At a stretch, then, we might interpret Maiar as referring to the 'hands' or servants of their patron Valar. This is the merest speculation, however, and it must be emphasised that we have no definitive explanation of the term.

Indexes: Alphabetical: M

Ainur About this entry: Updated 1 January 2008

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