Cŵn Annwn

In Welsh mythology and folklore, Cŵn Annwn ( /ˌkuːn ˈænʊn/, "hounds of Annwn") were the spectral hounds of Annwn, the otherworld of Welsh myth. They were associated with a form of the Wild Hunt, presided over by Gwynn ap Nudd (rather than Arawn, king of Annwn in the First Branch of the Mabinogi). Christians came to dub these mythical creatures as "The Hounds of Hell" or "Dogs of Hell" and theorised they were therefore owned by Satan.^[1][2] However, the Annwn of medieval Welsh tradition is an otherworldly paradise and not a hell or abode of dead souls.

In Wales, they were associated with migrating geese, supposedly because their honking in the night is reminiscent of barking dogs. They are supposed to hunt on specific nights (the eves of St. John, St. Martin, Saint Michael the Archangel, All Saints, Christmas, New Year, Saint Agnes, Saint David, and Good Friday), or just in the autumn and winter. Some say Arawn only hunts from Christmas to Twelfth Night.^{[citation needed]} The Cŵn Annwn also came to be regarded as the escorts of souls on their journey to the Otherworld.

The hounds are sometimes accompanied by a fearsome hag called Mallt-y-Nos, "Matilda of the Night". An alternative name in Welsh folklore is Cŵn Mamau ("Hounds of the Mothers").

In other traditions similar spectral hounds are found, e.g. Gabriel Hounds (England), Ratchets (England), Yell Hounds (Isle of Man), related to Herne the Hunter's hounds, which form part of the Wild Hunt. Similar hounds occur in Devon - particularly on Dartmoor and Cornwall but it is not clear whether they stem from Brythonic or Saxon origins.^[3][4]

Hunting grounds for the Cŵn Annwn are said to include the mountain of Cadair Idris, where it is believed "the howling of these huge dogs foretold death to anyone who heard them".^{[citation needed]}

According to Welsh folklore, their growling is loudest when they are at a distance, and as they draw nearer, it grows softer and softer. Their coming is generally seen as a death portent.

Works inspired by the legend

The 2010 novel Zero History by cyberpunk author William Gibson features a "secret" clothing brand named Gabriel Hounds.

On the 1992 album Black Aria by Glenn Danzig the last track is entitled Cwn Annwn.

The MMORPG Lord of the Rings Online includes monsters called "Cun Annun" which are based on the Cwn Annwn.

Notes & references

1. ^ Pugh, Jane (1990). Welsh Ghostly Encounters. Gwasg Carreg Gwalch. pp. 135 Pages. ISBN 0-86381-791-2. 
2. ^ Celtic Mythology. Geddes and Grosset. 1999. pp. 480 Pages. ISBN 1-85534-299-5. 
3. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/outdoors/moors/hound_baskervilles.shtml
4. ^ The Hound of the Baskervilles: Hunting the Dartmoor Legend, P Weller,Halsgrove, 2008,ISBN: SWDHTDL

See also

• Welsh mythology in popular culture
• Gwyllgi
• Black dog (ghost)
• Dip (Catalan myth)
• Barghest
• Black Shuck
• Wild Hunt
• Hound of the Baskervilles

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