Mary lwyd

Y Mari Lwyd meme by Welsh illustrator Coll CJ Ellis, who can be found on social media sites to see some cool art & Welsh cultural info.

I'd love to introduce you to my latest art book which has been over four years in the making.

ORIGINAL Mary Lwyd by lizacorbett on Etsy

Many of the ancient pagan observances during midwinter have been transformed or forgotten by our modern society. If you look into the origins of traditions...

Stephen Price ‘Give us rhyme for rhyme through the wood of the door Then open the door if you fail’ Mari Lwyd, the mysterious and menacing cloaked horse, is perhaps one of our most spectacular winter traditions. Her ghostly skull and white robes, baubles for eyes and a mane of translucent colours prove an unsettling, […]

One Christmas tradition that has always intrigued me is the Welsh wassailing folk custom centered around Mari Lwyd. This Welsh tradition is reportedly over 3,000 years old and is focused on Mari Lwyd ("gray mare" or "Blessed Mary" in other translations), a macabre figure of a skeletal horse head mounted on a stick, decorated with ribbons and jingling bells, and draped in a flowing white sheet (to hide the handler/puppeteer of Mari Lwyd). The eerie equine represents Death, and the only way to…

Grimm Harold, the Ealdríce's "Old Horse" at the most recent Twelftaniht faining held at Whitthenge Heall in Richmond, Virginia. The Yuletide/Midsummer "hooded animal" is an ancient tradition found throughout England and Wales and is known in various localities as hoodening, the Hooded Horse, Mari Lwyd, Old Ball, Derby Tup, Penglaz, Laare Vane, and Old Horse/'Owd 'Oss. #Ealdrice #Theodish #TheodishBelief #Theodism #AngloSaxon #Heathen #Heathenry #AngloSaxonHeathenry #Yule #Folklore

Today I wanted to write about Mari Lwyd, a Welsh Christmas/New Year’s figure. The name Mary Lwyd often translates to Grey Mare but others have translated it as ‘Holy Mary’ connect…

Nadolig llawen, why what's that I hear at the door? It's only the disembodied head of the mari lwyd time for a rap battle #wales #christmas #folklore #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #myart #welsh #illustration #illustrator #drawing #inkdrawing #inking #ink

Christmascard Mari Lwyd design by @tattoo.nina.noa

Mari Lwyd Welsh Newyear tradition of a horses skull being dressed up and then paraded around pubs and houses to attain drinks exchange for songs and luck for the drinking establishment or home. This is the Llandeilo Mari Lwyd.

Mari Lwyd- Welsh folklore: an undead mare that rises from the dead on New Years Eve and wanders the streets with her attendants, who are also fresh from the grave, to remind the living of their existence. Mari Lwyd has only one goal in mind — to get into your house. To keep her out, you must engage in a battle of wits… in rhyme.

Mari Lwyd, with its hauntingly beautiful horse skull, vibrant decorations, and lively processions, stands as a testament to Wales' rich cultural tapestry. As communities come together to celebrate the winter season Mari Lwyd gallops as a symbol of resilience, community, and the enduring magic of folklore. In this blog post, we will unravel the story behind Mari Lwyd, exploring its origins, customs, and cultural significance that make it a cherished part of Wales' rich folklore.