Arianrhod

Arianrhod is a figure in Welsh mythology, prominently appearing in the Mabinogion, especially in the Fourth Branch (Math fab Mathonwy). She is described as a goddess associated with the moon and the symbol of the silver wheel, and she is commonly identified as the daughter of Dôn and the sister of Gwydion. The name Arianrhod is typically interpreted as “silver wheel” or “silver circle,” a connection that links her to lunar imagery and cyclical fertility.

In the tale, Arianrhod is the mother of Lleu Llaw Gyffes, a hero whose birth and early life are entwined with magical and royal intrigue. Gwydion, her brother, uses sorcery in the events surrounding Lleu’s birth, and Arianrhod’s responses to his birth—particularly statements about his status and naming—drive much of the plot. The crisis is later resolved with the involvement of Math fab Mathonwy, and Lleu’s life unfolds under a series of enchantments and protective measures.

Scholars view Arianrhod as a complex and ambivalent figure who embodies aspects of feminine sovereignty, motherhood, and the challenges of birth, while her lunar symbolism connects her to cycles and fertility. In later Welsh poetry and modern adaptations, she is often interpreted as a lunar goddess or as a symbol of cyclical change, with various reinterpretations in neo-pagan and literary contexts.