Perelandra
the second planet from the sun, known as Venus to Earthlings; the setting of the majority of the novel and the young planet Ransom is attempting to save from evil
Malacandra
the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System; known to humans as "Mars." It was the setting for the previous novel, Out of the Silent Planet, and can also be used to refer to the guardian Oyarsa of Mars.
Oyarsa
an angelic ruler of a planet. The Oyeresu (pl.) of Malacandra and Perelandra come together at the end of the novel to entrust Perelandra's King and Queen with rulership.
eldila
spiritual beings who live primarily in the Field of Arbor (space of the Solar System) and watch over the affairs of rational beings; essentially equivalent to angels.
Old Solar
otherwise known as Hressa-Hlab and Hlab-Eribole-Cordi; it is the common language across all inhabited planets (and on Earth before the Fall).
The Old One
the Malacandran/Perelandran name for God
Maleldil the Younger
the Malacandran/Perelandran name for Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of humanity
bent
"Bent" is the closest Malacandran/Perelandran equivalent to an expression of sin and evil. Earth is "bent," in their view, being the "Silent Planet" under the rule of a corrupt Oyarsa, the "black archon."
Thulcandra
the Malacandran/Perelandran name for the planet Earth
The Field of Arbol
the eldila's term for the Solar System (Arbol = Sun)
hrossa
(pl. of hross) a species of intelligent, creative, and communicative beings that have a form resembling that of a large otter. Native to Malacandra, they delight in farming, hunting, and art of all forms.
pfifltriggi
(pl. of pfifltrigg) a species of intelligent, creative, and communicative beings that have a form resembling that of a mantis. Native to Malacandra, they are the planet's primary builders and technicians.
seroni
(pl. of sorn) a species of intelligent, creative, and communicative beings that have a form resembling that of a feathered man, but stretched vertically. Native to Malacandra, they are the planet's primary scholars and thinkers, spending much time dwelling on abstract concepts and the transcendentals.
Deep Heaven
a spiritual realm where Maleldil and the Old One reside; Oyarsa transports Ransom through here on the way to Perelandra.
The Fixed Land
the only stationary landmass on Perelandra; it is forbidden to spend the night there, and it serves as the object of temptation used by Weston in his attempts to entice Tinidril.
Piebalds
sheep-sized white beasts with black spots, resembling large mice rather than sheep. The Queen names Ransom after these because of his strange pale coloring.
