Gwragedd Annwn facts for kids

Gwragedd Annwn (pronounced GWRAG-eth AN-noon) are beautiful female fairies from Welsh folklore. Their name means "Wives of the Lower World" or "Dames of Elfin Land." These magical beings are said to live hidden beneath lakes and rivers in Wales. They are part of a larger group of Welsh fairy folk known as the Tylwyth Teg.

The stories of Gwragedd Annwn are often connected to the history of the famous Welsh black cattle. Some old tales even suggest that these fairies were created by the well-known Saint Patrick. Sometimes, these lake fairies would come up from their hidden world and could be seen by regular people.

Discover the Gwragedd Annwn: Welsh Lake Fairies

How These Fairies Came to Be

Legend says that the Gwragedd Annwn were created by Saint Patrick. This happened when he traveled from Ireland to Wales to meet with Saint David. A group of Welsh people saw them meeting. They were upset with Saint Patrick for leaving Wales (also known as Cambria).

Saint Patrick understood their complaints because he spoke Welsh. To teach them a lesson, he transformed the people who were complaining into fish. However, since some of these people were women, he changed them into Lake Fairies instead. This is how the Gwragedd Annwn came to exist.

What Makes Gwragedd Annwn Special?

Many cultures have stories about magical women who live in water. But the Gwragedd Annwn are unique. Even though they live in water, they do not look like sea creatures. They are not like Selkies from Scotland, who can change from seals to humans. They are also different from Merrows, who are Irish mermaids.

Where Do They Live?

According to Welsh folklore, these magical maidens live in or under certain lakes. Two famous lakes where they are said to dwell are Llyn Barfog (the "Bearded Lake") in Gwynedd and Crumlyn Lake near Briton Ferry in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. The Gwragedd Annwn are only found near lakes and rivers. They do not live in the ocean. This is another way they are different from other water fairies or mermaid-like creatures. They are most often found near lakes in quiet, mountainous areas.

Their Unique Look and Abilities

The Gwragedd Annwn are known for dressing in green clothing. They are believed to be the only type of fairy that can travel between two worlds. They can move from the "lower world," which is ruled by the fairy king Gwyn ap Nudd, to the "upper world" where humans live.

The Magical Cattle of Llyn Barfog

In Welsh myths, the Gwragedd Annwn were said to look after special cattle. These cattle were pure white and were known as Gwartheg y Llyn, which means "cattle of the lake."

A Farmer's Fortune and a Fairy's Warning

One story tells of a farmer who managed to catch one of these white cows. This cow gave him the best butter, milk, and cheese. The milk was so good that the farmer became very rich. Some versions of the legend say this magical milk could even heal injuries, make people smarter, and cheer them up.

Over time, the farmer had many other cattle that were descendants of this special cow. He then decided to sell the original magical cow for meat. When the farmer tried to harm the cow, his tools had no effect. Suddenly, a woman dressed in green appeared. She was one of the Gwragedd Annwn. She was upset that the farmer had tried to get rid of the cow. The fairy called the cow and all its white offspring away. Only one calf remained, and it had turned completely black. This is how the Welsh black cattle are said to have come into existence.