What does Mari Lwyd represent?
The Mari Lwyd translates as the Grey Mare and is a part of a pagan tradition celebrated in Wales around December time – though some regions wait until January. It involves a horse’s skull, which is decorated with colourful reins, bells and ribbons.
Table of Contents
What does Mari Lwyd represent?
The Mari Lwyd translates as the Grey Mare and is a part of a pagan tradition celebrated in Wales around December time – though some regions wait until January. It involves a horse’s skull, which is decorated with colourful reins, bells and ribbons.
What is the Mari Lwyd tradition?
The Mari Lwyd (Welsh: Y Fari Lwyd, Welsh pronunciation: [ə ˌvaːri ˈlʊi̯d]) is a wassailing folk custom found in South Wales. The tradition entails the use of an eponymous hobby horse which is made from a horse’s skull mounted on a pole and carried by an individual hidden under a sackcloth.
Why do we celebrate Mari Lwyd?
Mari Lwyd is a tradition that appears around December to mid January – Welsh old new year -surrounding an ancient horse ritual. As this tradition evolves into the 21st century, the importanceof keeping the original message of old true has become an important part of Welsh education.
What date is Mari Lwyd?
Llangynwyd Mari Lwyd
| Where: | Upper Llangynwyd, Glamorgan at the Corner House (formerly at the Old House pub, Yr Hen Dy) |
|---|---|
| When: | 31 December & 13 January |
| Time: | 7.30 for 8pm |
Who started the Mari Lwyd?
The first written record of the Mari Lwyd is in J. Evans’ book from 1800, A Tour through Part of North Wales, although the tradition is best known for its practice in Glamorgan and Gwent.
What is Mari in Welsh?
The origins of Mari’s name are, like the horse herself, are deeply mysterious. One Welsh translation of it, Grey Mare, connects it to the heritage of pale horses in Celtic and British mythology, many of whom can cross over to the underworld (Rhiannon in the Mabinogion rode a white horse, for example).
When did Mari LWYD start?
1800
Where did the tradition begin? The first written record of the Mari Lwyd is in J. Evans’ book from 1800, A Tour through Part of North Wales, although the tradition is best known for its practice in Glamorgan and Gwent.
How much does a horse skull weigh?
Table 1
| Variable | Horse | Donkey |
|---|---|---|
| Mean | Mean | |
| Head weight (kg) | 22.5 ± 4.9 | 13.6 ± 3.7 |
| Skull length (cm) | 53.6 ± 2.6 | 46.6 ± 5.0 |
| Cranial length (cm) | 23.6 ± 1.4 | 20.4 ± 2.7 |
How big is a horse skull?
Horses are thought to have been domesticated between 4000 to 6000 years ago from wild equids native to Asia. Specifications: Skull Length: 40.2cm. Skull Width: 16.1m.
