Addanc
The Addanc [ ˈaðaŋk ] is a sea monster that originally comes from Welsh mythology, but is also known to the Celtic and British folk. There are several synonyms for the being, such as Afanc [ ˈavaŋk ] (probably the most common), Addane , Adanc , Avanc , Abhac and Abac .
Appearance and behavior
There is no consistent picture of the creature, but it is generally described as resembling either a crocodile , a beaver, or a dwarf ; in some cases she is mistaken for a type of water demon . There is also disagreement about their preferred home; it is said to live either in Llyn Llion , Llyn Barfog , near the Brynberian Bridge, or in Lake Llyn yr Afanc near the town of Betws-y-Coed in North Wales, the latter lake bears its name in reference to the essence.
The Addanc is characterized as a vicious monster which, like most sea monsters, attacks anyone foolish enough to swim across its lake or even fall into the water. It has very strong skin, which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to injure with conventional weapons.
Variations of the legend
According to one version of an Addanc legend introduced by Edward Williams , the devastation wrought by the Addanc caused floods that drowned the entire population of Britain, except for the two people, Dwyfan and Dwyfach , who later became the inhabitants of the should descend from the British Isles. According to another version of Williams, the Addanc was pulled by the ox of Hu Gadarn from the lake in Llyn Llion and could easily be killed once it was no longer in the water.
Another legend is told in which a virgin conquered it by letting it sleep in her lap; Immediately the villagers rushed over and put the monster in chains. When she awoke she was furious and furiously crushed the girl in whose lap she was still lying. In the end it was either pulled into Lake Cwm Ffynnon or killed by Peredur .
In later British legends, the killing of the creature is attributed to either King Arthur or Parzival (the name Peredurs in Arthurian legend ). Near Llyn Barfog in Wales, stone prints of horse's hooves exist in a boulder known as the "stone of Arthur's horse"; According to the story, these imprints were made by Arthur's horse Llamrai as it pulled the Afanc monster out of the lake.
Bedd yr Afanc (The Beast's Tomb) is the only gallery tomb to be found in Wales and is linked to Addanc.