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Questions tagged [mabinogion]

For questions about a written collection of Welsh myths compiled in the 13th Century from earlier oral tales, occasionally called the Mabinogi.

The Mabinogion is a series of tales centered on four major "branches"; it also includes other short stories.

You can read a translation on SacredTexts.com, or at Mabinogi.net. The first translation includes eight additional stories1, but the second translation is more accurate. A third translation (along with other and texts) is available at AncientTexts.org

1 The stories, which are sometimes considered supplemental to the four main stories

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What is the meaning of the half burning tree in the Mabinogion?

In the story Peredur the Son of Evrawc (part of the Mabinogion), Peredur encounters: And he saw a tall tree by the side of the river, one half of which was in flames from the root to the top, and the other half was green and in full leaf. (This…
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Does Roman folklore feature an account of The Dream of Macsen Wledig?

The Dream of Macsen Wledig is a Welsh tale that may be loosely based on Emperor Magnus Maximus, of Rome. The story tracks his search for a fair maiden he sees in a dream, eventually bringing him to Britain, where he finds the lady he seeks. Learning…
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Why could Lleu Llaw Gyffes only be killed in a certain way?

In the fourth branch of the Mabinogion, Lleu Llaw Gyffes revealed to Blodeuedd that he can only be killed in a certain way. 'Will you, for God's sake and mine, tell me by what means you might be killed? Since my memory is a better safeguard than…
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Bendigeidfran's head was one of the Three Fortunate concealments; what are the other two?

Bendigeidfran's head was one of the Three Fortunate concealments (emphasis mine): 'Shame on my beard,' said he 'if I don't open the door and find out whether it is true what is said about it. [So] he opened the door, and looked out to Cornwall and…
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Why did the Lli and Archen rivers flood, separating Ireland and Britain?

In the second branch of the Mabinogion, King Bendigeidfran and his men travel from Britain ("the Island of the Mighty", or Ynys Y Kedeirn), intent on avenging the punishment of his sister, Branwen, at the hands of the Irish (which takes place…
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How did Manawydan know that the bishop (Llwyd Cil Coed) was responsible for the imprisonment of Pryderi and Rhiannon?

In the third branch of the Mabiogion, Manawydan and his companions, Pryderi, Rhiannon and Cifga come across a deserted caer. First Pryderi and then Rhiannon go to investigate. They are forced immobile and speechless by putting their hands on a…
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Why was Bendigeidfran's head buried facing France and not Ireland?

In the second branch of the Mabinogion, the forces of the Isle of the Mighty (Britain) defeat the Irish, though only seven survive. The dying Welsh king, Bendigeidfran, orders his men to cut off his head, bring it back to London (after a stop along…
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Why is there a long list of names in the story "Culhwch and Olwen"?

In the story Culhwch (sometimes spelled Kilhwch) and Olwen, the story is interrupted by a seemingly endless list of character's names: I seek it from Kai, and Bedwyr, and Greidawl Galldonyd, and Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, and Greid the son of…
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Why did Arawn choose Pwyll to fight Hafgan, king of Annwfn?

I've been reading the first branch of the Mabinogion, which details the journeys of Pwyll, lord of Dyfed. While hunting, he meets Arawn, king of Annwfn, who strikes a deal with him: The two will switch places for a year. At the end of the year,…
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What were the original names of Mochdref, Mochtref, Mochnant and Mochtref?

In the fourth branch of the Mabinogion, Gwydion and company move through the areas surrounding the court of Dryfed after receiving pigs from Pryderi: That night they made it as far as the uplands of Ceredigion - and the place [where they stopped]…
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What is the significance of Peradur asking about (or not asking about) the bloodied spear?

In the story Peradur in the Mabinogion, Peradur is told by his Uncle not to ask questions if he sees anything strange, unless someone explains the strange thing to him. Leave, then, the habits and the discourse of thy mother, and I will be thy…
user62
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Why did King Kilydd conceal his son from his wife?

In Culhwch and Olwen, King Kilydd's wife, Goleuddydd, dies in childbirth, leaving behind the king's only son. She tells him to go forth and remarry once two briar blossoms bloom on her grave, and he does so when the blossoms appear seven years…
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When did each of the Three Fortunate Concealments and the Three Unfortunate Disclosures happen?

The Welsh Triads lists the Three Fortunate Concealments and the Three Unfortunate Disclosures (see also Bendigeidfran's head was one of the Three Fortunate concealments; what are the other two?): Three Fortunate Concealments of the Island of…
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Is there any connection between the Three Humbled Chieftains?

In the third branch of the Mabinogion, Pryderi tells Manawydan Your cousin is king of Island of the Mighty and although he may do you wrong' he continued 'you have never been a claimant for land or territory. You are the third Humbled…
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