Annwn
[cf. Welsh an, in; dwfn, the world]
The Welsh name for the Other-world, corresponding roughly to the sídh and the Tech Duinn [Irish, House of Donn] of Irish tradition. Details about its location and description vary; Annwfn might be on the surface or under the earth or the sea. It may be a great revolving castle, in Welsh Caer Siddi, surrounded by the sea or by a series of fortified islands, where sickness and old age are unknown and there are both enchanting music and a fountain flowing with a liquid sweeter than wine. Conceived as Caer Feddwid [Welsh, Court of Intoxication or Carousal], it offers denizens a sample of sparkling wine. It may also be identical with Caer Wydyr [Welsh, Fortress of Glass] and Gwales. In most of the Mabinogi Annwfn is next to Pwyll, but in Culhwch ac Olwen it was beyond Scotland. Generally it is a place of delight with a magic cauldron and a well of sweet water.
There are two kings in Annwfn, mortal enemies: Arawn, who appears more often and makes alliances with mortals, and Hafgan. Gwyn ap Nudd was placed over a brood of devils here so they would not destroy the human race. In Christian times Annwfn became confused with concepts of Hell [Welsh uffern]. Cf. the Breton term Anaon; see also CŴN ANNWFN [The Hounds of Annwfn]. The *Preiddiau Annwfn [Spoils of Annwfn] is the cauldron of Arawn. Three shiploads of Arthur's men seek it in vain; only seven of them return. In the cosmogony of Llywelyn Siôn (1540–c.1615), Annwfn is the abode of Cythrawl.
Bibliography
- Patrick Sims-Williams, Celtic Language, Celtic Culture,
- ed. A. Matonis and D. Melia (Van Nuys, Calif., 1990), 57–81
