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'''Gwyn ap Nudd''' ({{IPA-cy|ˈɡwɨn ap ˈnɨːð}}, sometimes found with the antiquated spelling '''Gwynn ap Nudd''') is a figure of [[Welsh mythology]], the king of the ''[[Tylwyth Teg]]'' or "[[fairy|fair folk]]" and ruler of the Welsh [[Otherworld]], [[Annwn]]. Gwyn is intimately associated with the otherworld in [[medieval Welsh literature]], and is associated with the international tradition of the [[Wild Hunt]]. |
'''Gwyn ap Nudd''' ({{IPA-cy|ˈɡwɨn ap ˈnɨːð}}, sometimes found with the antiquated spelling '''Gwynn ap Nudd''') is a figure of pagan [[Welsh mythology]], the king of the ''[[Tylwyth Teg]]'' or "[[fairy|fair folk]]" and ruler of the Welsh [[Otherworld]], [[Annwn]]. Gwyn is intimately associated with the otherworld in [[medieval Welsh literature]], and is associated with the international tradition of the [[Wild Hunt]]. |
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''Name is Pronounced Gwin ap Neath'' |
''Name is Pronounced Gwin ap Neath'' |
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Revision as of 17:01, 19 September 2010
Gwyn ap Nudd (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈɡwɨn ap ˈnɨːð], sometimes found with the antiquated spelling Gwynn ap Nudd) is a figure of pagan Welsh mythology, the king of the Tylwyth Teg or "fair folk" and ruler of the Welsh Otherworld, Annwn. Gwyn is intimately associated with the otherworld in medieval Welsh literature, and is associated with the international tradition of the Wild Hunt.
Name is Pronounced Gwin ap Neath
Appearances
In the early Arthurian story Culhwch and Olwen, he abducted Creiddylad who was betrothed to Gwythr ap Greidawl. After the intervention of Arthur, Gwyn and Gwythr agreed to fight for Creiddylad every May Day until Doomsday. This fight probably represented the contest between summer and winter. Later in the tale, Gwyn helps Arthur hunt the boar Twrch Trwyth.[1]
In later legends Gwyn is king of the Tylwyth Teg or "fair folk". In his associations with the Wild Hunt he leads a pack of supernatural hounds known as the Cŵn Annwn. (The Hounds Of Annwn)
Gwyn is said to be king on the Unseelie court in fay lore and is often portrayed as an older man starting to grey wearing loose flowing robes with a staff in one hand and an owl on his shoulder. In some stories he is said to dwell in the caves of Annwn that lie underneath the Glastonbury tor.
Also while being of Welsh myth he appears frequently in Scottish myth as well and some Scottish family's still hold him as their patron god today.
Etymology
Gwyn means "fair, bright, white", cognate with the Irish fionn.[2] As such, he has some connection to the Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhail, whose grandfather was Nuada. The name of his father Nudd appears to derive from the Celtic deity Nodens.[3]
Gwyn is in everyday use as a common noun and adjective: it also remains a popular personal name. The Brythonic form of this name would have been *Vindos, the name of a Celtic deity in ancient Gaul. Especially in Old and Middle Welsh, "gwyn" also has the connotations of "pure, sacred, holy". The feminine form, Gwen, is the root of Gwenhwyfar, the original Welsh form of Guinevere.
References
- ^ Culhwch ac Olwen, translated by Lady Charlotte Guest and sub-edited by Mary Jones.
- ^ Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales. "Proto-Celtic—English lexicon." (See also this page for background and disclaimers.)
- ^ J. R. R. Tolkien. 1932. "Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London" (quoted here).
External links
- Vindos : etymology and history of Vindos as related to Gwynn ap Nudd and Fionn mac Cumhaill
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