Llyn y Fan Fach
Encyclopedia
Llyn y Fan Fach is a dammed lake in the eastern border of the Black Mountain
(Brecon Beacons National Park) in Carmarthenshire
, south Wales
. Near to it is found Llyn y Fan Fawr
.
legend
is connected with the lake
. In the folk tale, a local young man, son of a widow from Blaen Sawdde (near Llanddeusant
) agreed to marry a beautiful girl who arose from the lake, on the condition that he would not hit her three times. He complied easily because the girl was so beautiful, and they were happy for years putting up a house in Esgair Llaethdy near Myddfai
, and bringing up a family there. The girl had very special cattle, traditionally still kept at Dinefwr, Llandeilo, and other animals. But over time the man did hit his wife three times, and she had to go back to the lake according to the promise, taking the cattle with her. But the mother came back to them to help and instruct her children, and in particular one called Rhiwallon (in some versions Rhiwallon is the name of the young man who marries the fairy girl). In due course Rhiwallon and the other sons went to the court of Rhys Gryg
from Deheubarth where they became famous doctors that are known today as the Physicians of Myddfai. A number of their medical formulas remain in the Welsh manuscripts.
It is probable that the "Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach" was originally a Celtic goddess. Some elements in the story also relate to Welsh traditions of the fairies (or Tylwyth Teg
in Welsh).
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Black Mountain (range)
The Black Mountain is a mountain range in Mid and West Wales, straddling the county boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys and forming the westernmost range of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its highest point is Fan Brycheiniog at 802 metres or 2,631 ft. The Black Mountain also forms a part...
(Brecon Beacons National Park) in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
, south Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. Near to it is found Llyn y Fan Fawr
Llyn y Fan Fawr
Llyn y Fan Fawr is a natural lake in the county of Powys, Wales. It lies at the foot of Fan Brycheiniog, the highest peak of the Black Mountain range within the Brecon Beacons National Park....
.
Legend of Llyn y Fan Fach
A folkloreFolklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
is connected with the lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
. In the folk tale, a local young man, son of a widow from Blaen Sawdde (near Llanddeusant
Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire
Llanddeusant is a community in the Black Mountain region of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is about 5 miles southeast of Llangadog....
) agreed to marry a beautiful girl who arose from the lake, on the condition that he would not hit her three times. He complied easily because the girl was so beautiful, and they were happy for years putting up a house in Esgair Llaethdy near Myddfai
Myddfai
Myddfai is a small village and community in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is situated south of Llandovery in the Brecon Beacons, and has a population of 415.-Lady of the Lake Legend:...
, and bringing up a family there. The girl had very special cattle, traditionally still kept at Dinefwr, Llandeilo, and other animals. But over time the man did hit his wife three times, and she had to go back to the lake according to the promise, taking the cattle with her. But the mother came back to them to help and instruct her children, and in particular one called Rhiwallon (in some versions Rhiwallon is the name of the young man who marries the fairy girl). In due course Rhiwallon and the other sons went to the court of Rhys Gryg
Rhys Gryg
Rhys Gryg , real name Rhys ap Rhys, also known as Rhys Fychan was a Welsh Prince who ruled part of the Kingdom of Deheubarth.- Lineage :...
from Deheubarth where they became famous doctors that are known today as the Physicians of Myddfai. A number of their medical formulas remain in the Welsh manuscripts.
It is probable that the "Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach" was originally a Celtic goddess. Some elements in the story also relate to Welsh traditions of the fairies (or Tylwyth Teg
Tylwyth teg
The Tylwyth Teg is the common term in Wales for fairies. A synonym, Bendith y Mamau, means "Blessing of the Mothers". Until the early 19th century it was commonly believed that the Tylwyth Teg, described as ethereal, beautiful and fair-haired, dwelt in a number of places in Wales as genii loci...
in Welsh).
Further reading
There are several versions of this famous legend in Welsh and English.- T. Gwynn Jones, Welsh Folklore and Folk-custom (1930; new edition 1979). Tt. 61-4. Background and a lot of interesting details.
External links
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Llyn y Fan Fach and surrounding area
- Virtual reality panorama of Llyn y Fan Fach