Years of the Lamps

In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Years of the Lamps are the first of the three great time-periods of Arda.

The Years of the Lamps began shortly after the creation of Arda by the Valar. When they entered the world, Arda was still lifeless and had no distinct geographical features. The initial shape of Arda, chosen by the Valar, was of a symmetrical continent lit by the Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, made out of the misty light that veiled the barren ground. The Valar concentrated this light in two large lamps, Illuin and Ormal. The Vala Aulë forged two great pillars, Helcar in the north and Ringil in the south. Illuin was set upon Helcar and Ormal upon Ringil. In the middle, where the light of the lamps mingled, the Valar dwelt at the island of Almaren. This period, known as the Spring of Arda, was a time when the Valar had ordered the World as they wished and rested upon Almaren, and Melkor lurked beyond the Walls of Night. During this time animals first appeared, and forests started to grow. The Spring was interrupted when Melkor returned to Arda, and ended completely when he destroyed the Lamps of the Valar.

The lamps were destroyed by an assault by Melkor. Arda was again darkened, and the lamps' fall spoiled the perfect symmetry of Arda's surface. New continents were created: Aman in the West, Middle-earth in the middle, the uninhabited lands (later called the Land of the Sun) in the East, and the Dark Land in the South. At the site of the northern lamp was later the inland Sea of Helcar, of which Cuiviénen was a bay. After the destruction of the Two Lamps the Years of the Lamps ended and the Years of the Trees began.