Ainur

The Ainur or Holy Ones are immortal, transcendant spirits created by Eru before the beginning of time. They took part in the creation of the world or Ea, and some of them entered it in corporeal forms.
The Ainur that resided in the world (or Arda) could be divided into two main classes: Valar and Maia
== Valar ==
The Valar were the chief of the Ainur. They were ruled by the Elder King Manwe and his wife the Valier Varda. They were identified with certain aspects of Middle Earth and were held by some inhabitants of Middle Earth as gods. Varda, for instance, was the Vala of the Stars. She is recalled by the Wood Elves who Frodo and Sam see passing through the Shire, as Elbereth Star-kindler. The Valar as a collective are invoked multiple times by various characters during the course of the films.
Another Vala was Melkor, the Vala of might. He turned to evil, however, and even after being incarcerated, he returned to his evil ways, stole the Silmarils and killed the Noldorin king Finwe. He earned the moniker Morgoth and became the first Dark Lord.
== Maiar ==
The Maiar were lesser spirits. The most known among these were the Istari - five Maiar sent to Middle Earth in the guise of old men to help in the battle against evil. They became known to the denizens of Middle Earth as Wizards: Saruman, Gandalf, Radagast and two Blue Wizards.
Another Maia was Sauron, who was turned by Morgoth to evil, and became the second Dark Lord after the fall of his master. The Balrogs and several other of Morgoth's servants were also corrupted Maiar.
Category:Ainur
Category:Races