A Who's Who of World Mythology : Amen


Amen is the name of the Cauldron of Ceridwen. It is included among the treasures of Britain. Amen is also called Tyrnog Diwrnach, Gwigawd, and the Grail. Other owners was given variously as Arawn, Ogyrvan (the father of Ceridwen), or Gwyddno Garanhir Longshanks. Arthur stole Arawn’s cauldron. Gwyddno’s mwys or basket could feed one hundred people if food were placed in it, and Tyrnog Diwrnach would only feed the brave. Cowards would go hungry. Bran the Blessed also possessed a cauldron capable of restoring life to any being placed within it.

Ceridwen is an early fertility goddess of Britain mentioned in the Mabinogion. With Tegid, she had three children. Her daughter Creirwy was the most beautiful girl, and Avagdu was the most ugly boy. To compensate her son’s ugliness, Ceridwen prepared a magic ‘greal’ of six plants. This potion when drunk would bestow inspiration and science, but it would take an entire year to prepare. Gwion Bach was ordered to stir the cauldron. Three drops of the potion singed his fingers and upon sticking them in his mouth to ease the pain, he became possessed of all the knowledge Ceridwen had hoped to give her son. Ceridwen flew into a rage and pursued Gwion. He changed to a hare and she to a greyhound. He transformed to a fish and she became an otter. He became a bird and she was a hawk. Finally he became a grain of corn and Ceridwen changed to a hen and gobbled him up. She subsequently became pregnant and gave birth to Gwion as Taliesin, the most famous of the Welsh bards.

There are many other treasures of Britain. There is Dyrnwyn, the sword of Rhydderch Hael or of Wrynach. The chariot of Morgan Mywnoawr is another treasure, as is Luned, a ring of invisibility. The tartan of Arthur and the cloak of Caswallawn also bestowed invisibility on their wearers. The garment of Padarn Beistudd is among the treasures and the mantle of Tegau Eurvron was for chaste women. There is the whetstone of Tudwal Tudclud, the Stone of Scone (a throne), and the stone of Gwyddon (a tablet).

Many treasures had to do with food or entertainment. Two drinking horns, the cup of Llwyr and the horn of Gwigawd, are included in the treasures. The drinking horn of Gwigawd gave whatever liquor was desired, and the knife of Llawfrodded Farchawg would provide meat for twenty-four men. There is also the pan and platter of Rhegynydd Ysgolhaig and the cooking spits of the women of Fincara. The chessboard of Gwenddolen and the harp of Teiru would play themselves. The hounds of Arawn are also considered a treasure of Britain, as is the halter of Clydno Eiddyn.