The longest living elf known in Middle-earth is Círdan the Shipwright. At the close of the Third Age, Círdan was an astonishing 10,741 to 11,364 years old, making him by far the most ancient of all the Elves still residing in the mortal lands.
Círdan was one of the first Elves to awaken in Cuiviénen during the Years of the Trees, predating even the First Age. His immense age stems from his very early awakening, establishing him as a venerable figure with unparalleled wisdom and a long memory of Middle-earth's earliest history. He was the Lord of the Havens of Mithlond (the Grey Havens) and bore one of the Three Elven Rings of Power, Narya, the Ring of Fire, which he later bestowed upon Gandalf.
Other Ancient Elves
While Círdan holds the title of the oldest, several other Elves have lived for thousands of years, carrying the weight of ages and memories from across the various Ages of Middle-earth. These ancient beings include some of the Exiles who returned from Valinor or who were among the very first-born.
Among these incredibly old Elves are:
- Galadriel: One of the greatest and most powerful of the Eldar, Galadriel was born in Valinor before its Two Trees were destroyed. She was a leader of the Noldor rebellion and journeyed to Middle-earth in the First Age, making her age well over 8,000 years by the end of the Third Age.
- Glorfindel: A powerful Elf-lord, Glorfindel also hailed from Valinor and participated in the First Age wars. Uniquely, he died defending Gondolin but was re-embodied and sent back to Middle-earth in the Second Age, serving as an emissary of the Valar. He is significantly older than Elrond.
- Gildor Inglorion: A High Elf of the House of Finrod who chose to remain in Middle-earth rather than returning to the West. He encountered Frodo Baggins early in his journey. Like many of the Exiles, he is ancient, far surpassing the age of Elrond.
- Erestor: Chief Counsellor to Elrond in Rivendell. While his specific origins are less detailed, he is also noted to be among the ancient Elves, belonging to the group of Exiles who were older than Elrond.
A Comparison of Ancient Elves
The following table provides a glimpse into the longevity of some of Middle-earth's most ancient Elves.
| Elf Name | Approximate Age at End of Third Age (Years) | Noteworthy Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Círdan | 10,741 - 11,364 | The oldest Elf in Middle-earth; one of the first Elves to awaken. He remained in Middle-earth until the very end of the Third Age. Learn more about Círdan |
| Galadriel | Over 8,000 | Born in Valinor before the First Age, a prominent leader of the Noldor. |
| Glorfindel | Over 7,000 (re-embodied) | A powerful Noldorin Elf-lord, unique for being re-embodied after death and sent back to Middle-earth. |
| Gildor Inglorion | Unknown (but ancient) | A High Elf of the Noldor, one of the Exiles who chose to linger in Middle-earth. |
| Erestor | Unknown (but ancient) | Chief Counsellor of Elrond, one of the remaining ancient Exiles. |
| Elrond | Around 6,520 | While very old and wise, Elrond is considered younger than the aforementioned Elves, being a Half-elf born in the First Age. |
Círdan's extraordinary age and continuous presence in Middle-earth, serving as a beacon of wisdom and a guardian of the Grey Havens, firmly establish him as the longest-living Elf.
