Gwyllgi
The gwyllgi (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈɡwɪɬɡi]; compound noun of either gwyllt "wild" or gwyll "twilight" + ci "dog"[1]) is a mythical dog from Wales that appears as a frightful apparition of a mastiff or Black Wolf (similar to a Dire wolf) with baleful breath and blazing red eyes.[2] It is the Welsh incarnation of the black dog figure of English folklore.
Alternate names[]
It is often referred to as "The Dog of Darkness" or "The Black Hound of Destiny"[citation needed], and it will appear to individuals at dark, the apparition's favourite haunt being lonely roads at night. If seen on one of these "strolls", it is said to be an omen of a terrible death.
The Gwyllgi are also called Cwn Annwfn or Cwn Annwn (meaning "dogs of the otherworld") and Cwn Cyrff ("corpse dog").[3]
Reported sightings[]
There have been many sighting of this beast in the north east of Wales. Specifically, the Nant y Garth pass located near Llandegla in Denbighshire. It has even been spotted as far away as Marchwiel in Wrexham and as to this day there are still many sightings of this fearsome creature.[4]
Popular culture[]
In Blood of the Earth, by Faith Hunter, many members of the local cult-like church have been turned into gwyllgi and capture the main character, Nell.
In The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy series by , a gwyllgi named Hood is one of the watchmen who guards the Faraday, a high-end condominium where Linus lives. His mate, Lethe, becomes the BFF to the main character. And her brother is the Beta for the pack in Atlanta.
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, vol. 2, p. 1765.
- ^ Eberhart, George M. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. Volume 1: A-M. ABC-Clio/Greenwood. 2002. p. 222. ISBN 1-57607-283-5
- ^ Eberhart, George M. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. Volume 1: A-M. ABC-Clio/Greenwood. 2002. pp. 221-222. ISBN 1-57607-283-5
- ^ https://sites.google.com/site/tecclassmyths/the-story-of-the-gwyllgi
External links[]
- Dogs of Darkness, BBC Wales
- Mythological dogs
- Welsh mythology
- Welsh legendary creatures