Arianrhod, Celtic Goddess

A Short Series About Celtic Gods and Goddesses

Arianrhod,  Celtic Goddess

Arianrhod is a goddess of Welsh origin and a major figure of the Mabinogion, a Welsh mythological tale. She is the daughter of Dôn, the personification of the Earth Mother, and the sister of Gwydion and Gilfaethwy.

Among her many roles in Welsh mythology, she is known as the mother of the god Lleu Llaw Gyffes and the guardian of the door of the Otherworld.

Arianrhod is a complex figure with diverse roles.

She is often seen as a goddess of nature, fertility and the underworld, as well as a protector of those who travel the Otherworld.

She is said to have created a magical silver wheel that serves as a portal between this world and the Otherworld.

In some versions of the myth, Arianrhod is also the goddess of the sea.

Arianrhod is also associated with the sky, specifically with the stars and moon.

Her name may be derived from an old Welsh word “Arian” which means silver, suggesting a connection to the moon, as well as to the Otherworld.

Arianrhod is often seen as a goddess of both death and rebirth.

She is sometimes referred to as the “White Lady of the Silver Wheel,” a reference to her silver wheel and her association with the dead.

Arianrhod holds a special place in Welsh myth and is a key figure in the Mabinogion. Her story is an important part of Celtic mythology and her significance remains strong even in contemporary Welsh culture.

Emrys /|\