Govannon

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Govannon , also Gofannon fab Dôn [ go'vannon vaːb doːn ], originally * Gobann , is a Welsh legendary figure and a figure from the four branches of Mabinogi .

mythology

In the legend of Kulhwch and Olwen , Govannon is referred to as a son of the mother goddess Dôn . The giant Ysbaddaden demands of King Arthur , Kulhwch and the other men that he and his brother Amaethon clear a certain field. Amaethon can only do this, however, if Govannon keeps sharpening the plowshares on the field. Usually this blacksmith works exclusively for kings.

"[...] that Govannon, the son of Dôn, comes to the field to check on the plow iron."

In the fourth branch of the Mabinogi , Math fab Mathonwy ("Math, the son of Mathonwys"), and in the Welsh Triads , he is referred to as a murderer who kills his nephew Dylan Eil Ton .

And the blow that brought him death was dealt him by his uncle Gofannon. And that was one of the three disastrous blows.

interpretation

Govannon is often interpreted as the remnant of an ancient Celtic deity. It corresponds to the Goibniu of the Irish saga which bears the name Gavida on the Isle of Man and in some variants. The name Govannon is derived from the Celtic Gobannonos ("Great Blacksmith"). A late antique god named Gobanos has been handed down in inscriptions from the mainland celts , which is probably related to the figure of Govannon.

The three sons of the Dôn represent three important classes:

  • Gwydyon is the druid , the "scholar"
  • Govannon is the handyman
  • Amaethon is the farmer

See also

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Helmut Birkhan: Celtic stories from the emperor Arthur. Part 2, p. 58.
  2. ↑ Bernhard Maier: The legend book of the Welsh Celts. P. 82.
  3. ↑ Bernhard Maier: The legend book of the Welsh Celts. Pp. 143 f, note 82.25.
  4. ↑ Helmut Birkhan: Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. P. 609.