Rhiannon

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In the Mabinogion of Welsh mythology Rhiannon is the horse goddess reminiscent of Epona from Gaulish religion. Rhiannon was a daughter of Hefeydd. She was married to Pwyll, and later, Manawydan.

Story of Rhiannon

Pwyll first met Rhiannon when she appeared as a beautiful woman dressed in gold and riding a white horse. Pwyll sent his horsemen after her, but she was too fast. In fact, she was riding no faster than Pwyll and his knights; her horse's swiftness was a mirage she created for Pwyll's and her benefit. After three days, he finally chased her himself. When he spoke, asking her to stop, Rhiannon told him she would rather marry him than the man who was being forced upon her, Gwawl. She made a tryst with Pwyll and after a year from that day, he won her from Gwawl by following Rhiannon's advice to trick Gwawl into climbing into a magic bag that Rhiannon had given to Pwyll, striking an agreement to free him in exchange for Rhiannon.

Rhiannon gave birth to a son after three years of their rule; however, on the night of the birth, the child disappeared while in the care of six of Rhiannon's ladies-in-waiting. They feared that they would be put to death, and to avoid any blame, smeared blood from a puppy on the sleeping Rhiannon, and lay its bones around her bed. Pwyll's counselors imposed a penance on Rhiannon for her crime, to remain in the court of Arberth for seven years, and to sit every day near a horse-block outside the gate telling her story to all that passed. In addition, she was to carry any willing guest to the court on her back.

The child appeared outside a stable of Teyrnon, whose mares had just given birth but the foals had disappeared. Teyrnon had been watching his stables when he saw a mysterious beast coming to take the foal; Teyrnon stopped the beast by cutting off its arm at the elbow, and found the child outside the stable. He and his wife adopted him. The child grew to adulthood in only seven years and was given the foal which had led Teyrnon to the stable. Teyrnon realized who the child was and returned him to Pwyll and Rhiannon, who named him Pryderi (care).

Pryderi married Cigfa and became Prince of Dyfed after his father died. He then invited Manawydan (his stepfather) to live with him in Dyfed. Soon, Dyfed turned into a barren wasteland and only Rhiannon, Pryderi, Cigfa and Manawydan survived. Manawydan and Pryderi, while out hunting, saw a white boar which they followed. Pryderi and his mother, Rhiannon, touched a golden bowl that the boar led them to and became enchanted. Manawydan and Cigfa were unable to help them until they captured a mouse which was actually the wife of Llwyd, Rhiannon's enemy (seeking revenge for her treatment of Gwawl), and the spell was lifted.

Etymology

The etymology of the name Rhiannon appears to be derived from the Proto-Celtic root *rīganī meaning "queen" in combination with the augmentive suffix -on.^[1] The Romano-British form of this name, if it had existed at that stage, would likely have been *Rīgantonā. This is supported by a number of academic authors.

According to Professor Proinsias Mac Cana of University College Dublin and Visiting Professor of Celtic Studies at Harvard University Rhiannon derives ‘from *Rīgantonā Divine Queen’^[2]. Dr Anne Ross gives Rhiannon’s derivation as, "Welsh Riannon from Rigantona, great queen" ^[3]. Professor Miranda Green of the University of Wales gives two meanings, combining the above derivations: "Her name may derive from that of a pagan goddess Rigantona ('Great – or Sacred – Queen')"^[4].

In answer to the question, "Who was Rhiannon?", Proinsias Mac Cana states: "[Rhiannon] reincarnates the goddess of sovereignty who, in taking to her a spouse, thereby ordained him legitimate king of the territory which she personified" ^[5]. According to Professor Green, "Rhiannon conforms to two archetypes of myth ... a gracious, bountiful queen-goddess.: ^[6].

Epona was the ancient Horse Goddess of the pre-Christian Pagan people, known as the Gauls, or Celtic French. She was worshipped for many hundreds of years as a Horse Goddess, who not only protected horses, but also their owners. Epona is also one of the most well known of all the Goddesses within the Celtic Pantheon, and she was granted such titles as "The Great Mare," the "Divine Mare," and the "Mare Goddess.” Epona was worshipped throughout the entire Celtic world in a variety of other, different aspects. In Ireland she was known as Macha, the Goddess of War, while in Wales she became Rhiannon, the Goddess of the Underworld. It was in the aspect of Rhiannon that Epona appears in the Welsh collection of tales known as The Mabinogion. She has also been identified with the Celtic Goddess Edain, or Etain, whose full name, when translated, is Etain Echraidhe, which means “Etain, the horse rider,” or “Etain, the rider of horses.”

Epona was worshipped widely throughout the entire Celtic and Roman worlds, and her worship was exceptionally strong in both Rhineland and Gaul. In fact, Epona’s worship became so strong that it spread as far away as the Danube River, Yugoslavia, North Africa and Rome. The Roman army was so impressed by her that it eventually adopted her cult, and the Roman soldiers introduced Epona's worship to the many people that they encountered in their travels.

The British worshipped Epona in the form of a cult, and they gave her the title "Rigantona" or "Rig Antonia," which means "Great Queen." The Goddess Rhiannon, whose worship occurred at a much later point in time, was strongly associated with Epona, and she was known by that title as well.

Epona was also known by a variety of other names, which changed according to the various languages and myths that were indigenous to each particular region. It actually matters little whether she was known as Rhiannon, Macha or Epona, because no matter which aspect she happened to appear in, her image always remained the same. She appeared as a woman with very long hair who was riding sidesaddle upon a white mare. When she appeared in the aspect of Epona, however, she was depicted as a woman with very long hair, lying half-naked on a white mare.

Epona was frequently portrayed, either standing next to or being surrounded by horses. Sometimes, however, she also appeared to be feeding foals, or else she had dogs, sitting by her side. Throughout parts of Central Europe, Epona was believed to have the ability to shape-shift between the form of a woman and that of a white mare. It was when she appeared in the form of a white mare that Epona was believed to have magickal abilities, which allowed her to carry shamans upon her back so that they could travel to, and then return back, from the spirit world.

Epona was also known as the Gaulish Moon Goddess and the Goddess of Abundance, since she was believed to represent fertility, freedom and creativity. She was also considered to be the protectress of horses, mules, stables, equine caregivers and cavalrymen.

See also

• Welsh mythology in popular culture
• Mabinogion
• Welsh mythology
• Epona

References

• Story of Rhiannon