Arawn

Arawn
One of the Kings of Annwn
The Lords of Annwn, Giles Watson (2009)
Major cult centerWales
AbodeAnnwn
BattlesCad Goddeu
AnimalsCŵn Annwn, pigs
SymbolMagical pearl-encrusted cauldron
OffspringPossibly Modron

In Welsh mythology, Arawn (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈarau̯n]) was the king of the otherworld realm of Annwn who appears prominently in the first branch of the Mabinogi, and alluded to in the fourth. In later tradition, the role of the king of Annwn was largely attributed to the Welsh psychopomp, Gwyn ap Nudd - meaning "white" (i.e. 'winter') a possible kenning for his true name. However, Arawn's memory is retained in a traditional saying found in an old Cardigan folktale:

Hir yw'r dydd a hir yw'r nos, a hir yw aros Arawn "Long is the day and long is the night, and long is the waiting of Arawn"

The name Arawn is derived from that of the biblical prophet Aaron.

Arawn's association with the hunt, hornes and the Otherworld has prompted some scholars to associate Arawn with the continental Gaulish god Cernunnos.