Is Rhiannon and Epona the same? Rhiannon, in Celtic religion, the Welsh manifestation of the Gaulish horse goddess Epona and the Irish goddess Macha. She is best-known from The Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh
Is Rhiannon and Epona the same?
Rhiannon, in Celtic religion, the Welsh manifestation of the Gaulish horse goddess Epona and the Irish goddess Macha. She is best-known from The Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales, in which she makes her first appearance on a pale, mysterious steed and meets King Pwyll, whom she marries.
What was Rhiannon goddess of?
In Welsh mythology, Rhiannon is a horse goddess depicted in the Mabinogion. She is similar in many aspects to the Gaulish Epona, and later evolved into a goddess of sovereignty who protected the king from treachery.
What does Rhiannon mean in Scottish?
Probably derived from the old Celtic name Rigantona meaning “great queen”.
What means Epona?
Epona was a Celtic goddess. Her name contains an allusion to the horse: in Celtic, “epos” means “horse” and the suffix “-ona” affixed simply means “on”. Epona is the patron goddess of mares and foals. The oldest information about the Gallic goddess of horses is found in Juvenal (Satires, VIII, 155 ff).
Is Rhiannon a sun goddess?
Rhiannon, Celtic goddess of the sun and inspiration, the enchanting fairy princess who rode so swiftly that no horseman could catch her, loved and chose to marry a mortal king of Wales.
Who is the goddess of horse?
Epona was the goddess of the craft of horse breeding. She ensured the fertility of the breeding stock, nurturing and protecting the mares, stallions and foals.
What is the true meaning of the name Rhiannon?
great queen
Meaning:great queen or goddess.
How is Rhiannon related to otherworldly Brids?
Rhiannon is also associated with otherworldly brids, the adar Rhiannon (birds of Rhiannon) which are explicitly named in the Mabinogion of Branwen ferch Llŷr. Mortally wounded after the battle in Ireland, Brân tells his companions to cut off his head and take it with them on their return journey …you will be on the road a long time.
Why did Riannon turn Rhiannon into a horse?
Riannon’s association with horses is also unquestionable. We are told of the way Rhiannon rides past the gorsedd of Arberth on a great steed that no-one can catch. After the loss of her son, Rhiannon’s punishment is to be effectively turned into a horse.
What does Rhiannon mean in the Mabinogion?
She may represent the psychopomp aspect of the goddess Epona. Rhiannon is also associated with otherworldly brids, the adar Rhiannon (birds of Rhiannon) which are explicitly named in the Mabinogion of Branwen ferch Llŷr.
What did the serving women do to Rhiannon?
In fear of the consequences for slacking off on their duty, the serving-women smeared Rhiannon with the blood of a puppy and accused Her of murdering Her own son. Their word won over Rhiannon’s own, and as punishment, She was made to sit outside the castle on a horse-block, and offer each visitor a ride on Her back for seven years.