Wednesday, June 29, 2005
UI's Celtic Mythology - Blodeuedd
Blodeuedd (whose name means "born of flowers" or "flower face") was a beautiful, magical woman. She was conjured up by Math and Gwydion from the blossoms of oak, broom and meadowsweet to be the wife of Lleu, Gwydion's nephew, because Lleu's mother, Arianhod, had declared that he should marry no mortal woman.
For a time the young couple lived happily, but one day Lleu went to visit Math and while he was away Blodeuedd kindly offered hospitality to a passing huntsmen, Goronwy, the lord of Penllyn. Blodeuedd and Gronwy fell in love and began to plot the murder of Lleu. This was no easy task, for Lleu could be killed only while standing with one foot on a goat's back and the other on the edge of a bath tub, and only by a spear which it had taken a full year to make. However, even though the pair finally succeeded in meeting all the conditions and attacked him, he did not die but flew into the air into the shape of an eagle. Math and Gwydion set out to avenge Lleu. When they found Blodeuedd, Gwydion turned her into an owl, the bird of the night.
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OK even though I'm paying homage to Celtic mythology, I have to say that this particular story is just too funny! Let me get this straight, the only way Lleu could be killed was by standing with one foot on a goat's back and the other on the edge of a bath tub, and only by a spear which took a full year to make? What?!
And how bummed must Goronwy and Blodeuedd have been after actually succeeding in meeting those conditions only for him to SURVIVE!
Ah, funny stuff.
For a time the young couple lived happily, but one day Lleu went to visit Math and while he was away Blodeuedd kindly offered hospitality to a passing huntsmen, Goronwy, the lord of Penllyn. Blodeuedd and Gronwy fell in love and began to plot the murder of Lleu. This was no easy task, for Lleu could be killed only while standing with one foot on a goat's back and the other on the edge of a bath tub, and only by a spear which it had taken a full year to make. However, even though the pair finally succeeded in meeting all the conditions and attacked him, he did not die but flew into the air into the shape of an eagle. Math and Gwydion set out to avenge Lleu. When they found Blodeuedd, Gwydion turned her into an owl, the bird of the night.
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OK even though I'm paying homage to Celtic mythology, I have to say that this particular story is just too funny! Let me get this straight, the only way Lleu could be killed was by standing with one foot on a goat's back and the other on the edge of a bath tub, and only by a spear which took a full year to make? What?!
And how bummed must Goronwy and Blodeuedd have been after actually succeeding in meeting those conditions only for him to SURVIVE!
Ah, funny stuff.
# posted by United Irelander @ 1:48 AM 
© 2008 United Irelander.
