Overview
Arawn is recognized as the Welsh sovereign of Annwn, the Otherworld depicted in the Mabinogi. Renowned as a masterful hunter and magician, his shapeshifting abilities are particularly celebrated in his interactions with Pwyll, the Lord of Dyfed.
Etymology
The name Arawn is believed to relate to the Hebrew name Aaron, denoting “exalted.” However, it may also be aligned with the Celtic deity Arubianus, given the linguistic similarities. As Welsh mythology faced demonization during the rise of Christianity, Arawn’s image shifted, adopting numerous sinister attributes and earning the designation of the Lord of the Damned—a figure presiding over souls barred from paradise, pursued by hellhounds.
Attributes
Arawn is fundamentally characterized as the lord of Annwn, which is portrayed variably in legends: it might be an island off the coast of Wales, a mystical cauldron beneath the ocean, or a kingdom underground. Considered an enchanting paradise, some writers draw links between Annwn and Avalon, the legendary Isle of the Blessed from Arthurian lore. Arawn is portrayed as an equitable ruler, cherished by his subjects and his queen, yet faces rivalry over his domain.
His magic is formidable; he once exchanged forms with Pwyll for an entire year, a transformation so convincing that even Arawn’s spouse was unaware of it. In the narrative “Cad Goddeu,” he gathers an army from Annwn to engage in battle, enhancing them magically, though he is ultimately bested by Gwydion.
Arawn is also portrayed as a passionate sportsman with a keen hunting instinct. Each day, he and his court embark on hunting expeditions with his spectral dogs, known for their distinctive white ears and red eyes. His influence is particularly evident during autumn—a season associated with the howling of exceptional hounds and the migratory cries of geese. The traditional Celtic calendar culminates in autumn with Samhain, a time when spirits roam the Earth, resonating with Arawn’s underworld connections.
As Christianity’s influence grew in the region, Arawn’s link to mortality led to a tarnished reputation. Consequently, Annwn morphed into a domain for tormented souls, and Arawn was characterized as their tormentor. His hounds became synonymous with hellhounds, persistently hunting for lost souls.
Family
Very little information is available regarding Arawn’s lineage, apart from his unnamed wife, the Queen of Annwn, who held a deep affection for him.
Mythology
Long is the day and long is the night, and long is the waiting of Arawn.—Cardigan saying
Arawn is most prominently featured in the Mabinogi, especially within the First and Fourth branches.
Mabinogi
In the First Branch, Pwyll, the ruler of Dyfed, finds himself in Annwn after a peculiar hunt. He pursues a stag hunted by a strange pack of red-eyed hounds, only to learn from a rider that he is guilty of stealing the king’s prey and must seek Arawn’s forgiveness.
Arawn proposes a unique form of atonement: to swap places for a year. Pwyll eagerly accepts the challenge, including defeating Arawn’s adversary, Hafgan. Throughout the year, Pwyll partakes in hunting during the day and feasting at night. Arawn’s Queen offers herself to Pwyll, yet he chooses to remain steadfast to Arawn. When the year concludes, both individuals reunite to share their experiences; Pwyll reveals his unwavering chastity, as does Arawn.
Arawn’s presence in the Fourth Branch appears more indirectly through gifts sent annually to Pryderi, Pwyll’s son. These gifts consist of pigs from Annwn, which become central to the narrative arc involving Pryderi.
Cad Goddeu
From the Book of Taliesin emerges a narrative titled “Cad Goddeu,” or “The Battle of the Trees.” This tale implies that a dog, a lapwing, and a buck were pilfered from Annwn by Amaethon, eliciting Arawn’s wrath. This event escalates into the mythical Battle of the Trees, where Arawn amasses a fierce array of creatures, enhancing them with magic. However, Gwydion, employing divine intervention, rallies the trees to defend against Arawn’s formidable forces, leading to his defeat.
Other Mythology
Arawn’s story bears resemblance to that of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, with Arawn paralleling the Green Knight. Both narratives feature a hero’s encounter with the wife of their host and highlight their successful resistance to temptation. They share commonalities as accomplished hunters and magical beings, further connected through Pwyll’s appearances in various Welsh Arthurian tales.
Additionally, Arawn might have ties to the Celtic deity Arubianus, an agricultural figure known in Southern Germany, perhaps explaining the richness of Annwn. The specifics about Arubianus, however, remain sparse.
As the patron of hunting, Arawn finds himself linked to other Celtic divinities like Cernunnos, the enigmatic god associated with nature. There’s also an associative link to Odin, the Norse deity ruling the dead and skilled in magic, with Wotan, his Germanic counterpart, often sharing the title of Lord of the Wild Hunt—a title sometimes attributed to Arawn.
In his role as the ruler of the underworld, Arawn evokes comparisons with Hades/Pluto of Greco-Roman mythology, both often misunderstood as villains in later interpretations. Arawn (alongside Hades) is also reminiscent of the figure of Satan in Abrahamic religious contexts.
Pop Culture
Arawn remains a fascinating character whose representation has evolved, heavily influenced by popular culture:
- He is widely recognized as Arawn Death-Lord in Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain, where he is depicted as malevolent, struggling to maintain authority over Annwn.
- Disney’s The Black Cauldron takes inspiration from the second book of The Chronicles of Prydain, showcasing Arawn’s aspects through the Horned King and other villainous figures, although originally intended to feature Arawn as the main antagonist.
- The band Faith and the Muse includes Arawn in their album Annwyn, Beneath the Waves, adapting various tales from the Mabinogi.
- In Bloodforge, Arawn emerges as a pivotal figure, instigating troubles for the protagonist Crom during a hunting expedition.
- Dungeons & Dragons presents Arawn as a Celtic lord of the underworld, aligning closely with his portrayal in The Chronicles of Prydain rather than his origins in Welsh mythology.
- A French comic series, also titled Arawn, retells Mabinogi tales with a darker twist.
