Here is a watercolor piece I did for the Bifrost Mythology project, based on Welsh mythology. © Helen Rich. All rights reserved

If you are interested in learning more, the Mabinogion is a good place to start.

Meet Blodeuedd (pronounced blod-i-weth - Welsh for 'made of flowers'). A condensed version of her story follows; Blodeuedd was created out of flowers to be a wife to Llew Llaw Gyffes. Llew's mother, the Goddess Arianrhod, had placed a curse upon her son that he would never take a mortal wife. And so Bloedeuedd was created by Llew's uncle, Gwydion, a powerful sorcerer.

Unfortunately, Blodeuedd became infatuated with Gronw Pebyr, a neighboring land owner, and together they plotted to murder Llew. They did not succeed however, Llew was transformed into an eagle, and remained in that form until he was discovered by Gwydion and restored to his human shape, whereupon he immediately took his revenge and murdered Gronw.  Blodeuedd was cursed by Gwydion to perpetual abhorrence of sunlight, and transformed into an owl, a bird vilified and detested by all other birds.  Her name was changed to Blodewedd, a subtle difference - it means flower face - like an owl. In the modern day Welsh language, Blodewedd is still the word for 'Owl'.

© Helen Rich. All rights reserved