fa and hra

This article is about the Middle-earth spiritual concepts. FEA is also an acronym for Finite Element Analysis

In the mythology of J. R. R. Tolkien's fiction, fa and hra are words for "soul" (or "spirit") and "body". The plural form of fa is far (pronounced []) and the plural form of hra is hrar (pronounced []). The Children of Ilvatar (Elves and Men) are described as existing as two parts: they have a "spirit" or "soul" called fa which comes from the Secret Fire of Ilvatar, and a body or hra which is made out of Arda. According to the Elves, the fa is powerless without the hra, and likewise the hra would die without the fa. The Elves' fate is to live as long as Arda exists; they are bound to the world and cannot leave it. Unlike Men, Elves do not die of disease or of old age. However, Elves may be slain or lose the will to live, for instance because of grief. When an Elf dies, the fa leaves the hra, which then "dies". The fa is called to the Halls of Mandos, where it is judged. If allowed by Mandos, the fa may be reincarnated into a new-born body that is identical to the previous hra. A fa may decide to stay in Mandos, or it may be denied reincarnation, for example if it had done much evil. In such a case the fa might have to wait very long or might never be allowed to leave Mandos. The situation of Men is different: a Mannish fa is only a visitor to Arda, and when the hra dies, the fa leaves Arda completely. For this reason it is said the Fates of Men and Elves are sundered. The choice of the Half-elven is one of the fa, not of the hra. Lthien chose the Fate of Men, and so her fa passed out of Arda and was lost to her kin. Not only the Children of Ilvatar possessed far: they were also granted to the Ents and some animals, such as Huan the Hound and the great Eagles (but see the end of that article). When Ilvatar adopted Aul's children, the Dwarves, he granted them, too, far of their own.

Fa And Hra

See also