Gwynn (mythology)
Gwynn fab Nudd [ gwin vaːb niːð ], also (older) Gwyn ap Nudd , is the name of a legendary figure in Welsh mythology . He is called in the Llyfr Du Caerfyrddin ("The Black Book of Carmarthen").
Mythology and Etymology
Gwynn is said to be a son of Lludd / Nudd , and thus also a grandson of Beli Mawr . In the story Culhwch ac Olwen ("The Story of Culhwch and Olwen") he is enumerated among the followers of King Arthur . The giant Ysbaddaden , Olwen's father, explains to Arthur, Culhwch and the other knights that when the mythical boar Twrch Trwyth is hunted, Gwynn must be present because he has the strength of Annwfn . A dialogue between Gwynn and Gwyddno Garanhir confirms his superhuman powers. Also in this legend, Gwynn's advertisement for Creiddylad and the fight with his rival Gwythyr is told.
Gwynn is also called in popular legends as the king of the elven people of the Tylwyth Teg . He is said to have his residence ( Síd ) in the Twr Avallach hill ( Glastonbury Tor ) .
The name Gwynn is derived from gwyn ("beautiful", "shining bright", "white"), synonymous with the Irish fionn . Also in the genealogy there is a consonance between Gwynn fab Nudd and Fionn mac Cumhaill , since Fionn's grandfather is Nuada .
See also
literature
- Helmut Birkhan : Celtic stories from the emperor Arthur. Part 2, Lit-Verlag, Vienna 2004, ISBN 3-8258-7563-6 .
- Bernhard Maier : Lexicon of Celtic Religion and Culture (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 466). Kröner, Stuttgart 1994, ISBN 3-520-46601-5 .