Are elves vegetarians? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Athaniel · 01-11-2004, 06:17 AM

I wonder whether elves, at least High-Elves, are vegetarians. In the Hobbit it is mentioned that the Wood-eöves hunt and consume meat, but meat is not consumed when the Hobbits feast with Gildor's people, during their stay at Rivendell or in Lorien. As far as I can recall the elves do not it meat throughout the Silmarillion

In any case, did not the elves teach every living thing how to speak. It would be rude to eat whom you can talk to, don't you think? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Finwe · 01-11-2004, 07:47 AM

How do you explain Celegorm being known as a great hunter in Valinor then? Elven hunters definitely existed in Valinor, so I see no reason for them not to exist in Middle-earth.

Lalaith · 01-11-2004, 08:15 AM

That's a very good point.
I have trouble with the idea of terrified deer, hapless little bunnies and so on, hunted to death and having their innards gnawed by dogs, in the woods of the Blessed Realm, but I suppose they must have done...I wonder how Yavanna felt about it all.

Phervasaion · 01-11-2004, 09:13 AM

The Elves in Middle-Earth eat meat but what about the elves in Valinor. Like Lalaith said Yavanna may have been annoyed with Elves hunting in M-E but even more so in the Blessed realm.

Finwe · 01-11-2004, 11:12 AM

Well, we know that they hunted, especially under Oromë, so I assume that Yavanna condoned it. I'm sure that the Elves didn't go rampantly killing every animal in sight. For example, they probably only killed male deer who had just lost to a younger deer, or a doe that didn't appear to have a young fawn with her. They could have left alone all the mothers with young to take care of, and hunted the older, slightly more isolated animals. That way, no rampant killing goes on, and no animal young are left to fend for themselves too early.

metropolis_part_one · 01-11-2004, 05:02 PM

There was at least one branch of the Elves that refused to eat mean, but I can't remember which one.

Silmiel of Imladris · 01-15-2004, 07:39 PM

Elves are very in tune with nature. They remind me of Native American cultures. Elves probably only took what they needed and they were sure to give back. If they cut down a tree they planted a new one. If they killed an animal they may have cared for sick or injured animals they found.

Ainaserkewen · 01-16-2004, 11:39 AM

Quote:

I wonder how Yavanna felt about it all.

Yavanna loved all her creations, but she didn't go all human over them(excuse the expression) I'm sure she realised that animals would be used for meat, she probably created them as such. The Valar are much wiser and understanding than any vegeterian elf. I think Yavanna just didn't want her creations waisted, like why she created ents.

The Dark Elf · 01-16-2004, 01:48 PM

i rember something in the hobbit about when the dwarves enter mirkwood and survive the spiders, they see elves cooking roast meat.

Elassar 516 · 01-19-2004, 09:25 PM

As Metropolis mentioned at least one kind of elves did not eat meat, the Laiquendi, or Green Elves whe dwelt in Ossiriand.

01-11-2004, 06:17 AM	#1
Athaniel Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tirion Posts: 13	Are elves vegetarians? I wonder whether elves, at least High-Elves, are vegetarians. In the Hobbit it is mentioned that the Wood-eöves hunt and consume meat, but meat is not consumed when the Hobbits feast with Gildor's people, during their stay at Rivendell or in Lorien. As far as I can recall the elves do not it meat throughout the Silmarillion In any case, did not the elves teach every living thing how to speak. It would be rude to eat whom you can talk to, don't you think? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ elan síla lúmen' omentielvo

01-11-2004, 07:47 AM	#2
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	How do you explain Celegorm being known as a great hunter in Valinor then? Elven hunters definitely existed in Valinor, so I see no reason for them not to exist in Middle-earth. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

01-11-2004, 08:15 AM	#3
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	That's a very good point. I have trouble with the idea of terrified deer, hapless little bunnies and so on, hunted to death and having their innards gnawed by dogs, in the woods of the Blessed Realm, but I suppose they must have done...I wonder how Yavanna felt about it all. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

01-11-2004, 09:13 AM	#4
Phervasaion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The wilderness of Middle-Earth Posts: 306	The Elves in Middle-Earth eat meat but what about the elves in Valinor. Like Lalaith said Yavanna may have been annoyed with Elves hunting in M-E but even more so in the Blessed realm. __________________ Phervasaion

01-11-2004, 11:12 AM	#5
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Well, we know that they hunted, especially under Oromë, so I assume that Yavanna condoned it. I'm sure that the Elves didn't go rampantly killing every animal in sight. For example, they probably only killed male deer who had just lost to a younger deer, or a doe that didn't appear to have a young fawn with her. They could have left alone all the mothers with young to take care of, and hunted the older, slightly more isolated animals. That way, no rampant killing goes on, and no animal young are left to fend for themselves too early. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

01-11-2004, 05:02 PM	#6
metropolis_part_one Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 25	There was at least one branch of the Elves that refused to eat mean, but I can't remember which one. __________________ For forty days and forty nights They rode through red blood to the knee And they saw neither sun nor moon But heard the roaring of the sea

01-15-2004, 07:39 PM	#7
Silmiel of Imladris Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing Posts: 395	Elves are very in tune with nature. They remind me of Native American cultures. Elves probably only took what they needed and they were sure to give back. If they cut down a tree they planted a new one. If they killed an animal they may have cared for sick or injured animals they found. __________________ Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me. Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?

01-16-2004, 01:48 PM	#9
The Dark Elf Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Angmar Posts: 74	i rember something in the hobbit about when the dwarves enter mirkwood and survive the spiders, they see elves cooking roast meat. __________________ "Fool of a Took!"

01-19-2004, 09:25 PM	#10
Elassar 516 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sailing into the West...I wish Posts: 58	As Metropolis mentioned at least one kind of elves did not eat meat, the Laiquendi, or Green Elves whe dwelt in Ossiriand.