Welsh folklore Welsh folklore is the collective term for the folklore of the Welsh people. It encompasses topics related to Welsh mythology, but also include the nation's folk tales, customs, and oral tradition. Welsh folklore is related to Irish folklore and Sc ...

the Gwragedd Annwn (singular '' cy, gwraig annwn'') are beautiful female

fairies A fairy (also fay, fae, fey, fair folk, or faerie) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, Germanic, English, and French folklore), a form of spirit, o ...

who live beneath lakes and rivers and are counted among the

Tylwyth Teg (Middle Welsh for "Fair Family"; ) is the most usual term in Wales for the mythological creatures corresponding to the fairy folk of English and Continental folklore and the Irish . Other names for them include ("Blessing of the Mothers"), and ...

or Welsh fairy folk. They are also known as Lake Maidens or Wives of the Lower World.

Folklore

Legends state that the Gwragedd Annwn who lived in Llyn Barfog, or Crumlyn Lake, were ordinary humans cursed by

St Patrick Saint Patrick ( la, Patricius; ga, Pádraig ; cy, Padrig) was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, the other patron saints be ...

for taunting him during a visit. They are also said to be the originators of

Welsh Black cattle The Welsh Black is a dual-purpose breed of cattle native to Wales. This breed is one of the oldest in Britain, going back to pre-Roman times. The Welsh Black was a prized possession of Britain's people upon the invasion of the Saxons. History ...

, who are descendants of the legendary cow Fuwch Gyfeiliorn, who came from the land of the Gwragedd Annwn.

References

Bibliography

* * * {{Fairies Fairies Welsh folklore Black Mountain (hill) Female legendary creatures