árufénytlen

Árufénytlen is a fictional concept originating from the world of Tolkien's Middle-earth. The term, of Quenya (High Elven) origin, translates roughly to "unlight" or "darkness without light." It is often used to describe a profound and absolute absence of any illumination, not merely the absence of sunlight or starlight, but a deeper, more primal void.

The concept of Árufénytlen is distinct from ordinary darkness. While darkness can be dispelled by a source of light, Árufénytlen suggests a state where even the potential for light is non-existent or has been extinguished. This can be interpreted as a metaphorical or literal state, representing not just physical blackness but also a spiritual or existential void.

In some interpretations within Tolkien lore, Árufénytlen is associated with primordial chaos or the deepest, most ancient abysses of the world before creation. It can also represent a state of utter despair or oblivion. While not a physical place that can be readily visited, it serves as a potent descriptor for the most profound and terrifying forms of emptiness and void within the imagined cosmology. The term emphasizes a complete negation of being and presence, a state beyond even shadow.