Arawn

In Welsh mythology, Arawn (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈarau̯n]) was the king of the otherworld realm of Annwn who appears prominently in the first branch of the Mabinogi, and alluded to in the fourth.^[1] In later tradition, the role of the king of Annwn was largely attributed to the Welsh psychopomp, Gwyn ap Nudd - meaning "white" (i.e. 'winter') a possible kenning for his true name. However, Arawn's memory is retained in a traditional saying found in an old Cardigan folktale:

Hir yw'r dydd a hir yw'r nos, a hir yw aros Arawn "Long is the day and long is the night, and long is the waiting of Arawn"^[2]

The name Arawn is possibly analogous to the continental theonym Arubianus. Arawn's association with the hunt, hornes and the Otherworld has prompted some scholars to associate Arawn with the continental Gaulish god Cernunnos.

^ MacKillop, James (2004-01-01), "Arawn", A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780198609674.001.0001, ISBN 978-0-19-860967-4, retrieved 2023-12-16
^ Meic Stephens (gol.), Cydymaith i Lenyddiaeth Cymru, d.g. Arawn.

[1] MacKillop, James (2004-01-01), "Arawn", A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780198609674.001.0001, ISBN 978-0-19-860967-4, retrieved 2023-12-16

[2] Meic Stephens (gol.), Cydymaith i Lenyddiaeth Cymru, d.g. Arawn.

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