Story Summary
Explore the Welsh legend of Lleu Llaw Gyffes, a hero who overcomes his mother's curses through magic, only to face a tragic betrayal by his flower-made wife.
Lleu Llaw Gyffes was born under a cloud of rejection. When his mother, Arianrhod, gave birth to him, she felt shamed and placed three curses upon him: he should have no name unless she gave it, no arms unless she provided them, and no wife of any race of men. His uncle, the magician Gwydion, used trickery to bypass the first two, disguising the boy until Arianrhod accidentally named him 'The Fair One with the Skillful Hand' and gave him weapons during a feigned attack. To break the final curse, Gwydion and King Math fashioned a wife from oak, broom, and meadowsweet blossoms, naming her Blodeuwedd. However, Blodeuwedd fell in love with a hunter named Gronw Pebyr. Together they plotted to kill Lleu, a feat that required specific, near-impossible conditions: he could only be killed at the confluence of two rivers, while standing with one foot on a goat and one on a cauldron, under a thatched roof. When the trap was sprung, Lleu did not die but transformed into an eagle. Gwydion eventually found him, restored his human form, and turned the unfaithful Blodeuwedd into an owl, doomed to hunt alone in the night.
The Moral
True strength lies in overcoming the obstacles placed by others, but one must also be wary of the foundations upon which their happiness is built.
“He was neither on horse nor on foot, neither within a house nor without.”
Fun Fact
The story of Lleu Llaw Gyffes is part of the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogion, which is the earliest prose literature of Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Lleu Llaw Gyffes?
The story teaches that destiny can be navigated through wit and resilience, but it also warns that artificial solutions to deep problems, like creating a wife from flowers, can lead to unforeseen consequences.
Who created Blodeuwedd and why?
The magicians Gwydion and Math created her from flowers to bypass a curse that prevented Lleu Llaw Gyffes from marrying a human woman.
What does the name Lleu Llaw Gyffes mean?
The name translates to 'The Fair One with the Skillful Hand,' a title he earned after his mother was tricked into noticing his great skill with a sling.
How could Lleu Llaw Gyffes be killed?
He could only be killed by a spear forged while people were at mass on Sundays, and only when he was neither indoors nor out, neither on horse nor on foot, which he fulfilled by standing between a cauldron and a goat.
What happened to Blodeuwedd at the end of the story?
As punishment for her betrayal and the attempted murder of Lleu, the magician Gwydion transformed her into an owl, cursed to be shunned by all other birds and active only at night.
Is Lleu Llaw Gyffes related to other gods?
He is widely considered to be the Welsh counterpart of the pan-Celtic god Lugh (or Lugus), known for his many talents and association with the sun and craftsmanship.