Known primarily as the author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien also created a number of original illustrations for his works. Among these illustrations were heraldic devices for several of his characters. This device belongs to Melian, a member of the group of angelic beings known as the Maiar.

Along with their higher-tier angelic counterparts, known as the Valar, the Maiar played important roles in the early ages of Middle-Earth. Melian’s role, however, was far different than those played by her fellows: As the wife of Elwë, king of the Elven realm of Doriath, Melian was directly involved in protecting her husband’s lands from external conflict. Their union was also the only known case of an Ainu (larger group name encompassing both Valar and Maiar) marrying outside of the group, and the child of Melian and Elwë, Lúthien, was considered the fairest creature ever seen in the world.