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Gwyn ap Nudd
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In Welsh mythology, Gwyn or Gwynn ap Nudd (/ˈgwɨn ap ˈnɨːð/) was the ruler of Annwn (the Underworld). He escorted the souls of the dead there, and led a pack of supernatural hounds, Cŵn Annwn (see also Wild Hunt).
In the early Arthurian story Culhwch and Olwen, he abducted a maiden called Creiddylad after she eloped with Gwythr ap Greidawl, Gwyn's long-time rival. Gwyn and Gwythr's fight, which began on May Day, represented the contest between summer and winter. He helped Culhwch hunt the boar Twrch Trwyth.[1] In later legends Gwyn is king of the tylwyth teg or "fair folk".
Gwyn means "fair, bright, white" and is cognate with Irish fionn.[2] His father, Nudd, is related to the Celtic deity Nodens.[3] The Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhail, whose grandfather was Nuada, is probably related to this figure.
Gwyn is derived from Proto-Celtic *windos meaning "white".[2] Following accepted sound laws elucidating systematic diachronic phonological sound change in Celtic proto-linguistics,[4] the Romano-British form of this Proto-Celtic name would have been *Vindos.
- ^ Culhwch ac Olwen, translated by Lady Charlotte Guest and sub-edited by Mary Jones.
- ^ a b Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales. "Proto-Celtic—English lexicon." (See also this page for background and disclaimers.)
- ^ J. R. R. Tolkien. 1932. "Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London" (quoted here).
- ^ Cf. "Historical syntax" (forthcoming). Cf. also "Celtic languages" [1] from Encyclopædia Britannica.
- Vindos : etymology and history of Vindos as related to Gwynn ap Nudd and Fionn mac Cumhaill
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| Welsh mythology | |
| Stories | Cad Goddeu • Mabinogion • Trioedd Ynys Prydein |
| Characters | Amaethon • Arawn • Arianrhod • Arthur • Afallach • Beli Mawr • Blodeuwedd • Bendigeidfran • Branwen • Caswallawn • Ceridwen • Cigfa • Creiddylad • Culhwch • Cyhyraeth • Dôn • Dylan Eil Ton • Efnysien • Elen • Euroswydd • Gilfaethwy • Gofannon • Gwawl • Gwydion • Gwyn ap Nudd • Hafgan • Llefelys • Lleu • Llŷr • Lludd • Llwyd • Mabon • Macsen Wledig • Manawydan • Math • Matholwch • Modron • Nisien • Olwen • Penarddun • Pryderi • Pwyll • Rhiannon • Taliesin • Ysbaddaden |
| Places | Annwn • Cornwall (Celliwig) • Dyfed (Arberth, Gwales) • Gwynedd (Aberffraw, Arfon, Ardudwy) • Ireland • London (Ludgate) |