Math fab Mathonwy, King of Gwynedd, possessed a strange magical requirement: he could only survive if his feet were held in the lap of a virgin, except when he was at war. His nephew Gilfaethwy fell in love with the feet-bearer, Goewin. To assist his brother, the trickster Gwydion incited a war with Pryderi of Dyfed to draw Math away from his court. During the conflict, Gilfaethwy violated Goewin. Upon his return, a furious Math compensated Goewin by making her his queen and punished the brothers by transforming them into pairs of animals—deer, boars, and wolves—for three years, forcing them to experience the cycles of the wild. To find a new feet-bearer, Math tested Arianrhod, who unexpectedly dropped two children: Dylan and a 'blot' that Gwydion hid. The blot grew into Lleu Llaw Gyffes. Arianrhod, shamed, cursed Lleu never to have a human wife. In response, Math and Gwydion conjured a woman from oak, broom, and meadowsweet, naming her Blodeuwedd. However, Blodeuwedd betrayed Lleu for a lover, plotting his death. Lleu escaped as an eagle and was eventually restored by Gwydion, while Blodeuwedd was transformed into an owl, shunned by all birds for her treachery.
Betrayal and the abuse of power lead to inevitable justice and the transformation of one's character, often in ways that cannot be undone.
Questions about this story
Who is Math fab Mathonwy?
Math is a powerful king and magician of Gwynedd in Welsh mythology. He is best known for his magical requirement to have his feet held by a virgin feet-bearer to stay alive.
Why were Gwydion and Gilfaethwy turned into animals?
Math punished them for their deception and Gilfaethwy's assault on Goewin. They were forced to spend three years as deer, boars, and wolves to learn the consequences of their actions.
Who is Blodeuwedd in Celtic mythology?
Blodeuwedd is a woman magically created from the blossoms of oak, broom, and meadowsweet by Math and Gwydion to be a wife for Lleu Llaw Gyffes.
What happened to Blodeuwedd after she betrayed Lleu?
As punishment for conspiring to kill her husband, Gwydion transformed her into an owl. She was cursed to fly only at night and be hated by all other birds.
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Good night.
