Category: Animals
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Plot Highlights and Narrative Techniques of “The Celtic Dragon Myth”
As someone who is writing fiction, I’m particularly interested in story and therefore fascinated by folktales. While researching dragons for my last post, I came across an interesting book, The Celtic Dragon Myth, by John Francis Campbell and translated with an introduction by George Henderson. It contains several texts related to the theme of heroes battling water monsters. I…
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British and Celtic Dragon Folklore
My first exposure to a dragon drawn from folklore was most likely Smaug, the red-golden dragon in J. R. R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit. I remember being fascinated by his size, his jewel-encrusted underbelly, and the enormous treasure he guarded. Although he is a fictional creation, the inspiration for Smaug comes from Scandinavian folklore. I laughed…
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The Legend of the Afanc: A Welsh River Monster
In Welsh folklore, the afanc is often described as a type of river monster. Depending on the legend or tradition, the afanc may take the form of an enormous beaver, a monstrous crocodile, or a worm (dragon). The word afanc appears to have changed meanings over time as well, which may account for the different versions of the creature. The more…
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The Magical Birds of Rhiannon
The birds of Rhiannon are magical birds referenced in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales. As their name implies, these birds are linked to Rhiannon, an otherworldly woman who plays a prominent role in the Mabinogion. A Brief Description of the Mabinogion The Mabinogion includes eleven Welsh tales that originally appeared in two manuscripts: the White Book…
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The Unicorn Rests in a Garden as Part of the Hunt for the Unicorn Tapestries
The tapestry known as The Unicorn Rests in a Garden has fascinated me for much of my life. A print of it hung on the wall of my childhood bedroom, and I remember spending a great deal of time examining the flowers, admiring the unicorn, and wondering what the letters “A” and “E” meant. I lost track…
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The Legend and History of the Unicorn
I had originally planned to explore the subject of unicorns as a way to discuss a piece of medieval art that I’m very fond of. However, once I began digging into the research for it, I discovered that what I wanted to share with you would be too much for this month’s post. (It was…
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Cŵn Annwn: Welsh Supernatural Hounds
Cŵn Annwn are Welsh supernatural hounds whose howls served as a death omen to those who heard it. Death portents are quite common in Welsh folklore. According to Delyth Badder and Mark Norman, authors of The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts, Cŵn Annwn “represent perhaps one of the oldest omens within Welsh tradition.” The Welsh name for these hounds, Cŵn Annwn,…