Welsh Monsters and Mythical Beasts


Book Description

Upon the dramatic landscape of the Isle of Wales there have been born many creatures and beings of legend. This lushly illustrated guide delves into the dragons, beasts, fair folk, and spirits of Wales. Tales become blended and one with history, and this history meets illustration with C.C.J. Ellis' rich renderings of these creatures. Detail and colour lift these beings off the page and bring this compendium to life. Now available worldwide, this new edition includes a Welsh language guide so that each of the creatures might be known by their original Welsh names. You may have heard of the Red Dragon (Ddraig Goch) featured on the national flag of Wales, but have you heard of the Water Leaper (Llamhigyn Y Dŵr) or of the Mary White (Mari Lwyd)? C.C.J. aims to re-introduce the beasts of Welsh myth and legend to the world and bring a touch of Wales to your shelves. Part of the Wool of Bat series focused on the preservation and promotion of folklore and oral history from around the world.




The Welsh Fairy Book


Book Description

A collection of 83 short fairy tales, including; The Lady of the Lake; Arthur in the Cave; The Curse of Pantannas; The Drowning of the Bottom Hundred; Elidyr's Sojurn in Fairy-Land; Rhys and Llywelyn; Lowri Dafydd Earns a Purse of Gold; The Llanfabon Changeling; Why the Red Dragon is the Emblem of Wales; Llyn Cwm Llwch; The Adventures of Three Farmers; Cadwaladr and His Goat; The Fairy Wife; Einion and the Lady of the Greenwood; The Green Isles of the Ocean; March's Ears; The Fairy Harp; Guto Bach and the Fairies; Ianto's Chase; The Stray Cow, and many more.




Welsh Legends and Myths


Book Description

A mythology collection of eighty Welsh Legends and Myths, gathered from across Wales. The Welsh, like other Celtic races, love a good story. From the time of the Mabinogion and the Black Book of Carmarthen welsh folk have passed dark winter nights in front of roaring fires and entertained with mythical stories. Welsh Legends and Myths is a compendium of traditional myths, Welsh fables, Welsh fairy tales and real stories. Like other Celtic Mythology many of the myths and legends told here are based on factual events. While some have mythical roots, all are entertaining.




Fantastic Creatures in Mythology and Folklore


Book Description

Drawing on historical sources, myth and folklore, Fantastic Creatures in Mythology and Folklore explores the roles of fantastical beasts - particularly the unicorn, the mermaid, and the dragon - in a series of thematic chapters organised according to their legendary dwelling place, be this land, sea, or air. Through this original approach, Juliette Wood provides the first study of mythical beasts in history from the medieval period to the present day, providing new insights into the ways these creatures continue to define our constantly changing relationship to both real and imagined worlds. It places particular emphasis on the role of the internet, computer games, and the cyberspace community, and in doing so, demonstrates that the core medieval myth surrounding these creatures remains static within the ever-increasing arena of mass marketing and the internet. This is a vital resource for undergraduates studying fantastic creatures in history, literature and media studies.




Welsh Fairytales


Book Description

Traditional stories of Welsh fairies, castles, shepherds, kings and bards, in a charming illustrated collection.




Myths From Wales


Book Description

Embark on a magical journey through the mist-shrouded landscapes of Wales with "Myths From Wales: A Treasury of Welsh Mythology, Famous Legends and Mythical Creatures"! Discover the enchanting world of ancient Welsh folklore and Celtic mythology, where: The Mabinogion comes to life with tales of shape-shifting wizards and heroic kings Dragons soar through the skies, including the mighty Red Dragon of Wales Mythical creatures like the Cŵn Annwn (spectral hounds) and Afanc roam the land Strong women like Rhiannon, Arianrhod, and Blodeuwedd shape the course of legend Giants stride across mountains and fairies (Tylwyth Teg) dance in moonlit glades The Cauldron of Ceridwen brews potions of wisdom and transformation Merlin and King Arthur's quests intertwine with Welsh lore Ancient tales of Bran the Blessed and Pwyll captivate the imagination The sunken land of Cantre'r Gwaelod and its legends lurk beneath the waves This comprehensive collection brings together famous Welsh stories, from the eerie Mari Lwyd custom to the prophetic poetry of Taliesin. Explore the rich tapestry of Welsh mythology, where every tale is a window into the beliefs, values, and timeless wisdom of the Welsh people. Perfect for: Mythology fans and lovers of Celtic folklore Readers fascinated by dragons, monsters, and magical beasts Those interested in the origins of Arthurian legends Anyone seeking strong female characters in ancient tales Fans of Welsh culture and history Immerse yourself in a world where the Otherworld is just a whisper away, where dogs become heroes, and where the spirits of lakes and mountains come alive. "Myths From Wales" is more than just a book - it's a portal to a realm of wonder, magic, and enduring stories that have captivated audiences for centuries. Uncover the secrets of Welsh mythology today and let these timeless tales transport you to a land of legend!




Bestiarium Greenlandica


Book Description

Meet the motley crew of dangerous, cheeky, and fantastical beings of Greenland! “ Content Warning: nudity and mentions of sexual violence. ” The world of Greenlandic mythology is inhabited by creatures that have played a vital role in Inuit beliefs and stories throughout the ages. The Bestiarium is a collection of what is generally known about these diverse beings, spirits, and animals. Their stories are gritty, cruel, and reflect from the harsh landscape and lifestyle of ancient Greenland. Descriptions are paired with illustrations by contemporary Greenlandic illustrators that transport these mythological beings into the 21st Century. A brief history of Greenland and the shaman tradition launches the reader into the ancient world of Greenland and how myth and legend told generation after generation can mould and depict a place that was dark and grim as mischievous and lively and full of natural wonders. Now available in North America as part of Eye of Newt's specialty series, Wool of Bat, which is focused on the preservation and promotion of folklore and oral history from around the world. This edition of the Bestiarium features re-translated and edited chapter on "Shamans, witches, and witchcraft" by Robin Fenrir Mansa Hillestrøm.




Welsh Fairy Tales


Book Description

By William Elliot Griffis is a magical journey into the heart of Welsh folklore. Griffis masterfully retells enchanting tales of fairies, dragons, and mystical landscapes that have been passed down through generations. Each story is imbued with the rich cultural heritage of Wales, making this collection a treasure trove for both young readers and those young at heart.




Museum of Hidden Beings: A Guide to Icelandic Creatures of Myth and Legend


Book Description

Iceland, a country of striking and sometimes surreal beauty, is matched by its rich and extensive folklore. Since time immemorial, Icelanders have told tales of strange encounters and experiences they have had while on their travels. From the extraordinary Finngálkn, a halfbreed of man and beast to the Kráki, a giant octopus that preys on trawlers and oil rigs, Icelandic folklore is riddled with fantastic tales that expound natural phenomenon and circumstance with peculiar supernatural creatures from myth and legend. Take these tales, passed down from generation to generation throughout the centuries, make with them what you will and share them again. First published in Iceland as Duldýrasafnið, The Museum of Hidden Beings is now available in English, worldwide, so that the creatures of Icelandic legend might knock on new doors. Part of the Wool of Bat series focused on the preservation and promotion of folklore and oral history from around the world.




Welsh Folk Tales


Book Description

This book, a selection of folk tales, true tales, tall tales, myths, gossip, legends and memories, celebrates and honours unique Welsh stories. Some are well known, others from forgotten manuscripts or out-of-print volumes, and some are contemporary oral tales. They reflect the diverse tradition of storytelling, and the many meanings of 'chwedlau'. If someone says, 'Chwedl Cymraeg?' they are asking, 'Do you speak Welsh?' and 'Do you tell a tale in Welsh?' Here is the root of storytelling, or 'chwedleua', in Wales. It is part of conversation. This book, one to linger over and to treasure, keeps these ancient tales alive by retelling them for a new audience.