Welsh myths and folklore

View of the Idwal Slabs in Cwm Idwal Valley, Carneddau and Glyderau, Gwynedd, Wales — Cwm Idwal Valley in Snowdonia, Wales | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Explore the myths, legends and folklore that have shaped the ancient landscapes of Wales. From the origin of our famous Welsh red dragon in North Wales to an enchanted lake in South Wales, there’s a magical tale for everyone and a wealth of traditions to discover.

Welsh myths and legends in North Wales

North Wales is the setting for some of our country’s most famous legends from the story of Dinas Emrys, the lofty mountain home of the dragon you see fluttering on Welsh flags to Beddgelert, the resting place of Wales’s most famous dog.

Beddgelert, Snowdonia: Legend has it that a 13th century prince, Llywelyn the Great, left his baby in the care of his favourite dog Gelert, but on his return he found his heir missing and the dog covered in blood. It was only after killing Gelert that the prince discovered the body of a mighty wolf and his son safe behind it. The name Beddgelert translates to ‘Gelert's Grave’ and a memorial to this famous dog still stands here.Discover the legend of Beddgelert
Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia: Cwm Idwal boasts some of the UK’s most remarkable scenery and its stories are no less impressive. There’s the tragic tale of how the son of a 12th century prince fell victim to his jealous uncle, a giant whose story is lost to the mists of time, and the tale of how Charles Darwin’s visit in 1831 sowed the seeds for his world-famous publication 'On the Origin of Species'.Discover Cwm Idwal’s history
Dinas Emrys, Snowdonia: Wales’s most enduring legend is that of the red dragon who stands proudly on the Welsh flag. The tale goes that a Celtic king was building a castle on Dinas Emrys but each night the walls crumbled. Merlin the wizard revealed that this was because of two dragons who slept in the mountain beneath. The dragons were woken and they fought a fierce battle until the white dragon fled and the red dragon returned to its lair.Discover the legend of two dragons
Ysbyty Ifan, Snowdonia: Today, Ysbyty Ifan is a picturesque estate with a peaceful village, rolling hills, farmsteads, and stunning scenery, but don’t be fooled – beneath its surface hides an exciting history of knights, pilgrims, and bandits. It was once a haven for outlaws including the famous gwylltiaid cochion Mawddwy (the red bandits of Mawddwy).Discover Ysbyty Ifan’s history

View of the summit of The Skirrid in Monmouthshire, Wales — View of the summit of the Skirrid in Monmouthshire | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Welsh myths and legends in South Wales

With the story of the giant, Jack O’Kent, on the Skirrid and Cwm Llwch, the enchanted lake that appeared every May day, South Wales is brimming with the mythical stories of fantastical creatures.

Brecon Beacons, Powys: The tragic tale of the little boy, Tommy Jones, who lost his way in the Brecon Beacons touched the hearts of an entire community. His story continues to be passed down the generations and an obelisk still marks the spot where he was found.Discover the story of Tommy Jones
Cwm Llwch, Powys: Tucked beneath the mountains of Pen y Fan and Corn Du this lake is steeped in legend. It’s said that every May Day an enchanted island would appear which was full of fairies. People who visited were told they must take nothing with them when they left island, but one year, a greedy visitor stole a flower. When returned to the shore he lost his senses, and the island has not been seen since.
Skirrid, Monmouthshire: A local story tells of how the giant, Jack O’Kent, had an argument with the Devil over which was bigger, the Sugar Loaf or the Malvern Hills. Jack’s argument that the Sugar Loaf was bigger proved to be right and in his disgust the Devil collected a huge apron of soil to add to the Malvern Hills. Just as he was crossing the Skirrid the apron strings broke, and the soil formed the tump at its Northern end.Discover the stories
St David’s Peninsula, Pembrokeshire: It may be Britain’s smallest city, but St David’s isn’t lacking in stories. From Celtic roots and Iron Age forts to the final resting place of St David, patron saint of Wales, there’s a wealth of history to discover.Discover St David’s history

A pathway leading past the National Trust sign at St David’s Head in Pembrokeshire, Wales — Pathway at St David’s Head in Pembrokeshire | © National Trust Images/Leo Mason

Welsh folklore and traditions

Learn about some of the country’s most famous traditions from the Welsh patron saint of love to the celebrations of Nos Calan Gaeaf (Winter’s Eve).

St. Dwynwen’s Day, 25 January

Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of love, was the most beautiful of King Brychan Brycheiniog’s daughters. She fell in love with a Prince called Maelon however they were unable to marry. Distraught, she begged God to help her forget him and so he sent an angel who gave her a potion to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.

God then gave her three wishes. She wished that Maelon would be thawed, that she would never marry, and that the wishes and dreams of all lovers would be granted. All three wishes were fulfilled and in thanks Dwynwen devoted her life to God, setting up a convent on the island of Llanddwyn, the remains of which can be seen to this day.

St. David’s Day, 1 March

Welsh people all over the world celebrate Saint David (Dewi Sant in Welsh), the patron saint of Wales on 1 March. With bright yellow daffodils, colourful traditional dress, dragon parades and rousing renditions of the national anthem, it's one of the most vibrant days in our calendar.

Born in the 6th century in Pembrokeshire, David is the only native-born saint in the UK and has many stories and miracles associated with him. Do as the Welsh at the beginning of March and pin a daffodil or leek to your lapel, cook up a Welsh feast of cawl or Welsh cakes, and join in the party at a parade or concert near you.

Calan Mai, 1 May

Calan Mai was seen as the start of summer, and after the challenges of winter it was greeted with dawnsio haf (summer dancing) and carolau mai (May carols). People would decorate the outside of their homes with hawthorn branches to symbolise growth and fertility and they’d turn their herds out to pasture for the first time.

Nos Galan Mai, or May Eve, was considered one of three ysprydnos (spirit nights) when the veil between us and the spirit world was at its thinnest. People built bonfires to protect themselves from evil spirits and carried out rituals to bring them luck for the rest of the year including leaping over the flames three times, driving cattle between fires, and putting ash in their shoes as it was thought to have magical properties.

Heuldro's Haf, 21 June

Heuldro's Haf, or the Summer Solstice, is the first day of astronomical summer and the longest day of the year. In the traditional Welsh calendar it was welcomed with dancing, merriment and the lighting of bonfires - all celebrations that were seen as essential to producing a bountiful crop.

Midsummer eve was also known as Gathering Day because Celtic Druids believed that medicinal plants harvested on this day were especially potent. Mistletoe in particular was thought to cure all illnesses and some report that it was cut with a golden scythe and caught in a cloth before it fell to the ground. Legend has it that if a sprig collected on Midsummer Eve was placed beneath someone’s pillow, their dreams would foretell of future events.

Nos Calan Gaeaf, 31 October

Nos Calan Gaeaf is the Welsh for ‘Winter’s Eve’ and marks the end of harvest and the start of winter. On this night villagers would dance around a bonfire before placing stones with their name written on them into the flames. As the fire began to die they would all run home to safety believing that if they lingered their souls would be taken by the fearsome tailless black sow, Hwch Ddu Gwta, who roams the countryside with Y Ladi Wen, or the White Lady.

The following morning however, the villagers would return to the bonfire to inspect their stones. If theirs had been burned clean this was said to be good luck, however if their a stone was missing it was seen as an omen of their impending death.

Mari Lwyd, Mid-winter

With the skull of a horse, baubles for eyes, and a mane of colourful decorations, you won't forget the first time you see Mari Lwyd. On the darkest of winter evenings, often between Christmas Day and Twelfth Night, Mari and her troupe travel through Welsh villages, creating plenty of mischief as they go.

At each house they stop to request entry through a series of verses, or 'pwnco', and those inside reply with their own verses, giving an excuse for why Mari cannot enter. And so begins a battle of playful rhymes. If a homeowner relents and Mari and her group are permitted entry, they're given food and drink and the household is said to be rewarded with good luck for the year.