Many paintings by illustrators of Tolkien depict the Valar as giants, which tower above elves and men. There is no definite proof however that this was the case.

"Now the Valar took to themselves shape and hue; and because they were drawn to the world by their love of the Children of Ilúvatar, for whom they hoped, they took shape after that manner they had beheld in the vision of Ilúvatar, save only in majesty and splendour."
(The Silmarillion, Ainulindalë, p.21)

The Ainur could choose their appearance:

"Therefore the Valar may walk, if they will, unclad, and then the Eldar cannot clearly perceive them, though they be present." (Ibid.)

However it is unclear if they could change their shape once they had chosen it. Clearly there are famous examples of the Maiar doing this. Sauron was described as changing from the form of a werewolf to a "serpent, and from a monster to his own accustomed form" (The Silmarillion, Of Beren and Lúthien, p.175). Sauron, who it seems, was a master of shifting shape also deceived the elves of Eregion with his fair hue. Yavanna often took the form of a "tree under heaven" (The Silmarillion, Valaquenta, p.28) It seems strange to me that Morgoth if he was able to shift shape at will he would have become huge in size so that he could easily defeat the elves, especially for his battle with Fingolfin. As Sauron seemed to have little problem in doing this it maybe that the power of the respective Ainur restricts his size. However saying that Morgoth's power was far larger than that of the Balrogs so his size should be considerably larger as well. This as far as I am aware was not the case. As the question of the sizes and shapes that were possible is hard to answer I will look at descriptions of the Ainur that Tolkien gave us.

In Unfinished Tales (Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin) Ulmo is described:

"there stood dark against the rising storm a living shape of great height and majesty"
(Unfinished Tales, Tuor and his coming to Gondolin, p.37)

and
"it seemed to him he beheld a mighty king"(Ibid.)

Although these quotes could be used to suggest that Ulmo was a giant (as John Howe has interpreted) it could simply mean that Ulmo was seven feet tall.

The fight between Morgoth and Fingolfin has been used in the past to argue for both sides. I will examine the quotes in the order they appear in the text.

In going to meet Morgoth Fingolfin "rode forth alone, and none might restrain him. He passed over Dor-nu-Fauglith like a wind amid the dust, and all that beheld his onset fled in amazement, thinking that Oromë himself was come: for a great madness of rage was upon him so that his eyes shone like the eyes of the Valar."
(The Silmarillion, The Ruin of Beleriand, p.153)

This comparison with Oromë is clearly significant and it suggests that the only difference between the elves and the Valar was the eyes. It is obvious that someone could not mistake a giant an elf whatever the depth of his rage.

"and the rumour of his feet was like thunder underground." (Ibid.)

This suggests that Morgoth was huge although it is notable it speaks of the rumour of his feet.

Morgoth is said to have "stood before the king like a tower, iron-crowned, and his vast shield sable unblazond, cast a shadow over him like a stormcloud." (Ibid.)

This is a very clear suggestion that Morgoth was huge, no seven foot people?s shields could be described as casting a shadow like a storm cloud. Exaggerations are easy though and this passage could be compared with many that describe balrogs being surrounded in shadow. The actual fight was long and great. The text clearly suggests that Morgoth was always going to win. He created a "mighty pit in the earth" (The Silmarillion, The Ruin of Beleriand, p.154) with Grond (his war hammer). However Fingolfin "wounded Morgoth with seven wounds," (Ibid.) and "Morgoth set his left foot upon his neck" (Ibid.) both of these quotes suggest that Morgoth was comparable in size with Fingolfin.

Very significant is that after Fingolfin was slain, Thorondor attacked Morgoth he "marred his face" (Ibid.). Thorondor wingspan was "thirty fathoms"(The Silmarillion, The Return of the Noldor) i.e. 180 feet, (one fathom is equal to six feet). That is over twenty times the size of normal eagles (according to my Bird Encyclopaedia). Why then did Thorondor only mar his face, surely if Morgoth was human sized he could kill him there and then. This suggests Morgoth could be over 100 feet tall!

My conclusion is that the Valar were comparable in height to the elves, if a little taller, maybe around seven feet. The Valar though they wished to appear mighty wished to be approachable to the Children of Ilúvatar who they are envisaged to have taken their appearance from throughout Tolkien?s writings. Morgoth however is more complicated. I believe he was considerably taller than elves maybe twice as big but to fit his foot on Fingolfin's neck he could not have been any larger. Whether he became smaller as his power dwindled is not known. I do not feel I have reached a good conclusion but I have presented you with all the evidence I can find and you can make your own decision.

If you have any comments on this essay please email me.