Lleu Llaw Gyffes (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈɬɛɨ ˈɬau ˈɡəfɛs]) is a hero from Welsh mythology. He is most famous in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, a story called The Tale of Math fab Mathonwy, which describes his birth, marriage, death, resurrection, and becoming king of Gwynedd. He is a warrior and magician, often connected to his uncle Gwydion.
His name seems to be the Welsh version of the Irish name Lugh and the Gaulish name Lugus. Some scholars believe Lleu, like Pryderi, may be linked to the divine son figure known as Mabon ap Modron.
Name
The name Lleu comes from the Proto-Celtic word Lugus. The exact meaning and origin of Lugus are still being studied by scholars.
Role in Welsh tradition
The story of Lleu and the tynghedau of Arianrhod and the story of Lleu and Blodeuwedd are the second and third parts of the Mabinogi of Math fab Mathonwy.
Gilfaethwy, the nephew of the Venedotian king Math fab Mathonwy, falls in love with Goewin, Math’s virgin foot-holder. His brother Gwydion plans to start a war between the north and south so that he and Gilfaethwy can attack Goewin while Math is distracted by the war. To begin the war, Gwydion steals magical pigs from the Demetian king, Pryderi, which causes an invasion of Gwynedd.
Pryderi and his men march north and fight a battle near Maenor Bennardd and Maenor Coed Alun but are forced to retreat. They are chased to Nant Call, where more of his men are killed, and then to Dol Benmaen, where Pryderi suffers a third defeat. To stop more fighting, it is decided that Gwydion and Pryderi will fight in single combat. They meet at Y Velen Rhyd in Ardudwy. Gwydion wins the battle with strength, magic, and bravery, and Pryderi is killed. The men of Dyfed return to their land, mourning their leader.
When Math learns about the attack on Goewin, he turns his nephews into animals for three years. Gwydion becomes a stag, then a sow, and finally a wolf. Gilfaethwy becomes a hind deer, a boar, and a she-wolf. Each year, they have a child, which is sent to Math. After three years, Math frees them and searches for a new foot-holder. Gwydion suggests his sister Arianrhod, who is tested for virginity by Math. During the test, she gives birth to a boy named Dylan, who becomes part of the sea until his death by his uncle Gofannon.
Arianrhod runs away, but something small falls from her as she leaves. Gwydion wraps it up and places it in a chest. Later, he hears screams from the chest and finds a second baby boy inside.
Years later, Gwydion takes the boy to Caer Arianrhod and presents him to Arianrhod. She is angry and places a curse on the boy, saying only she can name him. Gwydion tricks Arianrhod by pretending to be a cobbler and luring her to him. The boy hits a wren with a missile, and Arianrhod says, “It is with a skillful hand that the fair-haired one has hit it.” Gwydion reveals himself and names the boy Lleu Llaw Gyffes, meaning “the fair-haired one with the skillful hand.” Arianrhod places another curse on Lleu, saying only she can give him arms. Gwydion tricks her again, and she unknowingly arms Lleu, leading to a third curse: Lleu shall never have a human wife.
To break Arianrhod’s curse, Math and Gwydion take flowers from the oak, broom, and meadowsweet. They use these to create a beautiful woman named Blodeuwedd.
Blodeuwedd falls in love with Gronw Pebr, the lord of Penllyn. They plot to kill Lleu. Blodeuwedd tricks Lleu into revealing how he can be killed. He says he can only be killed at dusk, wrapped in a net with one foot on a cauldron and one on a goat, and struck by a spear forged for a year during mass. Blodeuwedd arranges his death.
Lleu is struck by the spear and turns into an eagle, flying away. Gwydion finds him on an oak tree, lures him down with a poem, and changes him back to human form. Gwydion and Math care for Lleu until he recovers, then reclaim his lands from Gronw and Blodeuwedd. In a battle with Gronw, Lleu allows him to place a stone between them and his spear. He throws the spear, killing Gronw. Gwydion turns Blodeuwedd into an owl. The story ends with Lleu becoming king of Gwynedd.
In the 10th century, Old Welsh genealogies mention Lou Hen, a figure scholars believe is Lleu. His father, Gwydion, is linked to Lleu in the Mabinogi, though not explicitly stated. They are connected to historical leaders like Caratacus, Cunobeline, and Tasciovanus.
Early Welsh poetry references Lleu. The Book of Taliesin describes him fighting with Gwydion at the Battle of the Trees, where they enchanted trees to fight against Arawn, king of Annwn. Poems like Prif Gyuarch Taliessin and Kadeir Taliesin mention Lleu’s magical skills and “golden pipes.”
Medieval texts describe Lleu’s death. The Stanzas of the Graves say his grave is protected by the sea. Another text claims he was killed at Arllechwedd, though some versions suggest his son, Minawg, was killed instead.
The Triads of the Horses name Lleu’s horse, Melyngan Mangre, one of three special horses. The Hergest Triads call Lleu one of the “Red Ravagers of the Island of Britain” and one of the “Golden Shoemakers.” A poem in the Black Book of Carmarthen mentions Lleu and Gwydion as places Taliesin will visit after returning from a battle.