Welsh mythology

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Efnysien

Welsh mythology consists of the traditional tales and beliefs of the Welsh people. It is a subset of the wider body of Celtic mythology and shares many similarities with the mythologies of other Celtic nations such as Irish mythology and Scottish mythology. Welsh mythology is primarily preserved in medieval Welsh manuscripts, such as the Mabinogion and the Book of Taliesin.

Sources

The primary sources of Welsh mythology are medieval manuscripts, including:

• The Mabinogion, a collection of prose stories from medieval Welsh manuscripts.
• The Book of Taliesin, a collection of poems attributed to the bard Taliesin.
• The Black Book of Carmarthen, one of the earliest surviving manuscripts written in Welsh.

Major Figures

Welsh mythology features a rich tapestry of gods, heroes, and other figures, including:

• Rhiannon, a prominent figure in the Mabinogion, associated with horses and birds.
• Pwyll, a prince of Dyfed and a central character in the Mabinogion.
• Bran the Blessed, a giant and king of Britain, featured in the Mabinogion.
• Arawn, the king of the otherworld realm of Annwn.
• Blodeuwedd, a woman made from flowers, who appears in the Mabinogion.

Mythological Themes

Common themes in Welsh mythology include:

• The Otherworld, often depicted as a paradisiacal realm that is accessible to humans.
• Shape-shifting, where characters can transform into animals or other forms.
• Prophecy and divination, which play significant roles in many tales.
• Heroic quests, where protagonists undertake perilous journeys or tasks.

The Mabinogion

The Mabinogion is a cornerstone of Welsh mythology, comprising eleven tales that include mythological, folkloric, and historical elements. The four branches of the Mabinogion are:

• Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed
• Branwen ferch Llŷr
• Manawydan fab Llŷr
• Math fab Mathonwy

The Otherworld

The concept of the Otherworld is central to Welsh mythology. Known as Annwn, it is often depicted as a land of eternal youth, beauty, and abundance. Annwn is ruled by Arawn and later by Gwyn ap Nudd.

Related Pages

• Celtic mythology
• Irish mythology
• Scottish mythology
• Mabinogion
• Book of Taliesin
• Black Book of Carmarthen
• Rhiannon
• Pwyll
• Bran the Blessed
• Arawn
• Blodeuwedd
• Annwn