In Welsh mythology, Arawn (pronounced [ˈarau̯n] in Welsh) was the king of the Otherworld realm called Annwn. He is an important figure in the first part of the Mabinogi and is mentioned in the fourth part. In later traditions, the role of king of Annwn was mostly given to Gwyn ap Nudd, a Welsh psychopomp, or guide for souls. His name, "white" (meaning "winter"), may be a poetic way of referring to his true name. Arawn's name is still remembered in a traditional saying from an old story in Cardigan:
Arawn's connection to hunting, horns, and the Otherworld has led some scholars to link him to the Gaulish god Cernunnos.
Role in Welsh tradition
In the first part of the Mabinogi, Pwyll accidentally enters the land of Annwn and sees white dogs with red ears eating a stag. Pwyll chases the dogs away, but later learns they belong to Arawn, the ruler of Annwn. To make up for this mistake, Arawn asks Pwyll to swap places with him for a year and a day. During this time, Pwyll must defeat Hafgan, Arawn's enemy, a task Arawn has failed to complete. Meanwhile, Arawn takes Pwyll's place as the ruler of Dyfed. Arawn and Pwyll become friends because when Pwyll wore Arawn's form, he did not sleep with Arawn's wife.
A lasting friendship between the two realms continues even after Pwyll's death. In the fourth part of the Mabinogi, Pryderi, Pwyll's son and ruler of Dyfed, receives magical pigs as a gift from Arawn. These pigs are later stolen by Gwydion fab Don, a trickster and magician from Venedotia. Gwydion pretends to be a bard and asks for the pigs as payment for his music. Pryderi explains he cannot give the pigs because he is still bound by his agreement with Arawn. Gwydion tricks Pryderi into trading the pigs, which leads to Pryderi's invasion of Gwynedd. During the war, Gwydion kills Pryderi in a one-on-one fight.
Arawn is not mentioned in the second through fourth parts of the Mabinogi. Some scholars believe this is because parts of the original text are missing. They suggest that Arawn's actions in the first part directly led to the birth of Pwyll's son, Pryderi. However, others disagree, arguing that newer translations create more confusion and are not based on the original text, Llyfr Gwyn.
Although Arawn plays a key role in the first part of the Mabinogi, his presence in later parts is less direct. His story with Pwyll introduces the mystical world of Annwn, which is central to the Mabinogi's themes.
In Welsh folklore, the Cŵn Annwn, or "Hounds of Annwn," are said to appear in the sky during autumn, winter, and early spring. Their cries are sometimes compared to the calls of migrating geese, and their prey is believed to be wandering spirits being chased to Annwn. However, Arawn is not mentioned in these traditions. Later, the story was changed to fit Christian beliefs, describing the hounds as capturing human souls and chasing the souls of the damned to Annwn, which was equated with Hell.
Some writers, like Robert Graves, describe a story where Amaethon steals a dog, a lapwing, and a white roebuck from Arawn, leading to the Cad Goddeu (Battle of the Trees). Arawn lost this battle to Amaethon and his brother, Gwydion. However, the standard version of Cad Goddeu in the Book of Taliesin does not mention this. The Welsh Triads record the battle as one of the "Three Futile Battles of the Island of Britain," caused by a dog, a roebuck, and a plover. Lady Charlotte Guest notes in her Mabinogion that the battle was fought over a white roebuck and a puppy, which came from Hell. Arawn and Amaethon, along with Gwydion, fought in the battle. A man and a woman named Achren were also involved, and their sides could not be defeated unless their names were known. Gwydion discovered the man's name.
In the Arthurian tale Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the interactions between Gawain, his host Bertilak (who is actually the Green Knight), and Bertilak's wife are similar to Pwyll and Arawn's story. In this tale, Arawn may have inspired the character of Bertilak, while Gawain is similar to Pwyll. Both stories share a parallel: the wife of the ruler (Arawn or Bertilak) tries to seduce the newcomer (Pwyll or Gawain), but both men remain loyal. Because of their loyalty, they are rewarded by the ruler.
In The Chronicles of Prydain, a book series by Lloyd Alexander, the character Arawn Death-Lord is based on King Arawn from the Mabinogi. However, Arawn is portrayed as an evil ruler in these stories, unlike in the Mabinogi, where he is not explicitly evil. The books still show Arawn as the ruler of the Otherworld and as someone trying to take over a kingdom from another ruler. In the story, Arawn is defeated by his enemies, unlike in the Mabinogi.
In Brut y Brenhennidd, a Welsh version of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia regum Britanniae, Arawn vab Kynvarch is listed as the king of "Ysgotlont" (Scotland). This role is similar to Anguselus in Geoffrey's version, who was first made king by Uther Pendragon and later supported Arthur during his campaigns against the Romans.
A cleric named Araun, from Old Welsh, is recorded in two charters from 860, preserved in the Book of Llandaf.