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Glite Dictionary
Gwydion

Gwydion

1 9.9
A magician and sky god in Welsh stories who brings arts and useful skills to people
  • proper noun
  • Literature
: Gwydion
  • In Welsh mythology, Gwydion is celebrated as a magician and a god of the sky.

Examples

  • As a giver of arts and civilization, Gwydion plays a crucial role in many mythological narratives.

  • Gwydion and Gilfaethwy's punishment is to be turned into creatures of the never-ploughed, pre-agrarian forest wilderness.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Divinities who move between human and animal forms also appear in the story of Math, son of Mathonwy, in which two sons of Don, Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, rape the maiden Goewin.

    Academic text (1999)

  • They are Arianrhod (silver wheel, referring to the moon's track) and her brother Gwydion, whose home, Caer Gwydion, is the Milky Way (Gruffudd 1928, 203).

    Academic text (1999)

  • They are Arianrhod (silver wheel, referring to the moon's track) and her brother Gwydion, whose home, Caer Gwydion, is the Milky Way (Gruffudd 1928, 203).

    Academic text (1999)

  • The stories of Gwydion and his brother often illustrate the rich tapestry of ancient Welsh folklore.

Surface Forms

Gwydion main

Etymology

Gwydion may come from an old Welsh root gwydd, linked to 'trees' or 'knowledge', so a helpful way to remember him is as a 'wise man of the woods' who knows secret skills. That's why Gwydion appears in stories as a clever magician who brings arts and culture to people.