Hyddwn

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In Welsh Mythology, Hyddwn (from the Welsh hydd, "Stag") appears in the fourth of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi and is one of the three sons of Gwydion and Gilfaethwy. As punishment for the rape of Goewin, Math banished his nephews, turning them into a breeding pair of deer for a year, then pigs, and finally wolves. They had three children over the three years: Hyddwn, Hychddwn, and Bleiddwn. Hyddwn is the offspring of the deer pairing. Math took him and transformed him into a human being, baptising him Hyddwn ("Stag-man").

Contents

Mythological context

Hyddwn's story illustrates a recurring transformation motif in the fourth branch of the Mabinogi, where divine punishment involves shapeshifting and enforced reproduction. As retribution for their assault on Goewin, Gwydion and Gilfaethwy are turned into mating pairs of animals by Math fab Mathonwy. Over three years, they produce offspring that reflect the species they inhabit, with Hyddwn born during their time as deer. These children are eventually restored to human form by Math, highlighting themes of redemption and the blurred boundaries between human and animal in Welsh mythology. [1]

References

  1. ↑ Ifans, Dafydd; Ifans, Rhiannon (1980). Y Mabinogion. Gomer Press. ISBN   1-85902-260-X.
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