Gwyllion

    The Gwyllion are a part of the Welsh folklore. Gwyllion are also part of the five main groups of fairies in Welsh mythology, including Ellyllon (similar to elves), Coblyanu (similar to fairies found in mines), Bwbachod ( similar to household fairies), and Gwragedd Annwn (similar to fairies found in lakes and rivers). The translation for the name “Gwyllion” in English is “hags” or “dark ones.” Gwyllion are most commonly described as unsightly elderly women wearing dirty and torn-up clothing. The greenish-gray clothing helps them blend into the moss-covered rocks they like to sit on. Their long matted hair is normally down, covering some of their face, but never their eyes; Gwyllion’s eyes are said to glow like fire in a hanging lantern and hold an unmatched bitterness in them. They use their appearance (especially their eyes) to trick their victims into following them. They are said to look terrifying and are supposed to warn people to not enter their decided areas. Gwyllion are deeply connected to the mountain passes, foggy moorlands, desolate roads, and really any isolated places in Wales.

    What makes Gwyllion so frightening is that they are masters are tricking people into losing their place or having any intuition about where they are going, even if they are very familiar with their surroundings. They cause these travelers to go astray and then, after they’ve had their fun, they simply leave them to die there by themselves. Gwyllion like to mess with people while they do this, they like to scare anyone who passes by even if they aren’t leading them down the wrong path. Gwyllion are also very smart and don’t like to be outsmarted by anyone; if one of their victims realizes what is happening and try to get back on the right road they will find thorn-ridden obstacles and barriers between them and their way home. Gwyllion are very skilled in deception and the art of illusions so they use that to their advantage when one of their victims is a little too smart for their own good. If they can’t use their appearance or magic to get their victims off the correct path and on their newly created path then they are known to make things like the sound of a crying baby to lure them in.

    There are some known ways to stay clear of the Gwyllion, other than just not walking alone at night. Some travelers with walk backwards and wear their coats inside out to avoid them. Others show piety and empathy when tested to earn their way home. The Gwyllion will sometimes take the form of a woman begging for food and then travelers who share their meals are normally spared and allowed to continue on their way home, while the travelers who are selfish and refuse to give some of their meal away are faced with harassment and a horror-filled night from the Gwyllion.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Drekavac

     The Drekavac originates from South Slavic mythology and translates to “the screamer” or “the screecher.” They are supposed to be a mythical creature of the souls of children who died before being baptized. It’s common knowledge that they are made of the souls of unbaptized children, but the description of them varies, significantly depending on the culture. In Eastern Serbia, the Drekavac are described as humanoid wolf-like creatures that walk on their two back legs. In this version, they are said to have the body of a large dog with larger hind legs like a kangaroo. Other ways it’s described are as an undead man that crawled out of his grave in the middle of the night. Another common (if not the most common) way it’s described as an unbaptized undead child that crawled out of its grave in the middle of the night to haunt its parents. Drekavac are only seen as night, especially during the twelve days of Christmas (also known as the unbaptized days in Serbian languag...
Read more

The Wendigo

    The Wendigo is a mythological monster from the folklore of the Indigenous people in North America who speak Algonquian languages. Wendigo is said to be a fifteen-foot-tall creature covered in matted hair and has a disfigured face with equally as distorted teeth that are accompanied by a set of dully sunken eyes. Wendigo's eyes are rumored to glow when they look at you and their month is hiding their horribly long tongues behind a row of yellow razor-sharp fangs. Their skin is so thin that you can see their bones through it. You can also see their heart beating and that’s why it’s believed that their heart is made of pure ice because you can see their heart beating freezing blood through its veins. These frightening creatures roam around the cold snow-covered forest of North America to be able efficiently to stalk their victims under the shadows. They can’t stay in one spot for long because they are cursed to forever wander the land to satisfy their hunger for huma...
Read more

Diwata

     In the Philippians the Diwata are believed to be spirits or deities that protect the surrounding nature. They are seen as the guardians of the natural world and are sometimes known for punishing those who abuse animals or the environment, while helping/rewarding those who’ve earned it. In the traditional stories they represent things like humanity, humility, consequence of greed, and the balance between material and immaterial realms. Diwata are praised for healthy harvests, protection from natural diseases, and unknighted communities. Many Filipinos still pray and give offerings to the Diwata before they start big projects like long trips away, planting crops, fishing, or building homes. People commonly offer flowers to the Diwata to show respect and gain their blessings. There are festivals and rituals held in modern times for the Diwata and what they represent to the Filipino culture. Diwata are described as glowingly beautiful women, wearing traditional flowing...
Read more