Círdan Character Analysis in The Silmarillion

Círdan is a shipbuilder and a Teleri elf who remains behind in Middle-earth during the journey to Valinor and becomes the lord of the elves in Falas. Later, he escapes Melkor’s attacks by ship with Gil-galad and participates in the Wars of Beleriand by delivering Ulmo’s warnings and sailing to aid several smaller battles. After Melkor is defeated, he is one of the few elves to remain in Middle-earth. He rules the Grey Havens, briefly bears the ring Narya before giving it to Gandalf, and departs Middle-earth on the last elven ship headed to the west.

Círdan Character Timeline in The Silmarillion

The timeline below shows where the character Círdan appears in The Silmarillion. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...bring them to Valinor. Those who remain with Ossë are called the Falathrim, led by Círdan, and are the first ship-makers of Middle-earth. (full context)

...Morgoth’s orc armies march into Beleriand and begin plundering Thingol’s scattered people. Cut off from Círdan, Thingol joins with Denethor to kill the orcs in the first battle of the Wars... (full context)

...in the war. When Thingol returns from battle, he learns that the orcs have trapped Círdan’s forces near the sea. Thingol brings all the Sindar he can contact into the forests... (full context)

...them all the way to the Havens, where they also kill the orcs that besiege Círdan’s forces. The elves of Beleriand are amazed by the arrival and strength of the Noldor. (full context)

...of West Beleriand who live between the river and the sea, except in Falas where Círdan rules. Finrod’s land is the biggest, though he’s the youngest of the Noldor’s great lords.... (full context)

...rule the house of Bëor. Fingon struggles to hold back the orcs in Hithlum until Círdan sails to his aid from the west, winning the day. At that time, the remaining... (full context)

...allies. Many flee to the Havens, which Morgoth destroys the following year, killing or enslaving Círdan’s people. A few escape by sea to an island, including Círdan and Gil-galad. Círdan sends... (full context)

...against Túrin to the king, falls out of favor. A message arrives at Nargothrond from Círdan that Ulmo warns of an imminent orc attack and advises that they stay in their... (full context)

...the refugees from Doriath. With Turgon’s death, Gil-galad is named High King of the Noldor. Círdan’s mariners also join the people of Doriath and Gondolin there to build ships. (full context)

...his parents and beg the Valar to pity the men and elves of Middle-earth. With Círdan’s help, he builds ships and explores the sea, though he doesn’t find Valinor and eventually... (full context)

Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Theme Icon

...and the remaining sons of Fëanor attack and destroy the exiles of Gondolin and Doriath. Círdan and Gil-galad arrive too late to help them. Amrod and Amras are killed in the... (full context)

...and forgiven by the Teleri. Still, not all the elves are willing to leave Middle-earth. Círdan, Celeborn, Galadriel, Gil-galad, and Elrond remain. Though Elrond chooses the fate of the elves, his... (full context)

The One Ring disappears. Isildur refuses to give it to Elrond and Círdan, who plan to throw it into the fires of Mount Doom to destroy it and... (full context)

...born into their line. The Grey Havens also remains a refuge for elves, ruled by Círdan. The elves never speak of their three Rings of Power, and few know where they’re... (full context)

When Sauron appears in Mirkwood, the Istari (wizards) also appear in Middle-earth. Only Círdan, Elrond, and Galadriel know the wizards come from the West, but rumors later spread that... (full context)

At that time the White Council—made of Gandalf, Saruman, Galadriel, Elrond, Círdan, and the other elven lords—is founded, with Saruman as its leader. Galadriel wants Gandalf to... (full context)

...be the bearer of Narya, the elven ring of fire. It was originally entrusted to Círdan, who gave it to Gandalf to protect him from weariness. Círdan plans to guard the... (full context)