Gwyllion
Welsh female fairies who haunt roads and lead travellers astray.
Gwyllion (or gwyllon) is a Welsh word with a wide range of possible meanings including 'ghosts, spirits' and 'night-wanderers (human or supernatural) up to no good, outlaws of the wild.' It is a plural form of the Welsh word gwyll(t), meaning 'wild.' In folklore, the gwyllion are female fairies of frightful aspect who haunt lonely roads in the Welsh mountains and lead travellers astray, distinct from the more benevolent ellyllon (elves).
- Field
- Welsh folklore
- Nationality
- Welsh
- Known for
- Leading travellers astray on mountain roads; vulnerability to knives
Lore & Background
According to folklorist Wirt Sikes, the gwyllion are gloomy spirits more akin to hags or witches. Those who encountered them either by night or on a misty day would be sure to lose their way even if they were perfectly familiar with the road. One gwyll in particular was known as the Old Woman of the Mountain, who haunted Llanhyddel Mountain in Monmouthshire; popular tradition held she was the ghost of a woman regarded in life as a witch. She uttered strange cries and shouts to frighten wayfarers. The Old Woman was also encountered on Black Mountain in Breconshire, where a man reported meeting her and losing his way. When he drew his knife, the Old Woman vanished, confirming his suspicion that she was a gwyll, as Welsh ghosts and fairies were afraid of knives.
Reader's Guide
The gwyllion represent a distinct strand of Welsh fairy tradition, one that emphasizes danger and malevolence rather than benevolence. According to Sikes, the exorcism by knife is a particularly Welsh tradition. The gwyllion often came into houses at the parish of Aberystruth, especially in stormy weather, and were made welcome out of fear. Care was taken that no knife or cutting tool should be in the corner near the fire where the fairies liked to sit, as it was not prudent to display an inhospitable attitude toward any member of the fairy realm. Another traveller encountered several gwyllion dancing around him on Bedwellty Mountain, along with sounds of a bugle-horn and invisible hunters; he drew his knife and the fairies vanished. Sikes speculates these ideas may have some connection with the sword Excalibur, while folklorist Katharine Briggs suggested it may relate to the traditional fairy vulnerability to cold iron. The gwyllion have persisted in popular culture, appearing as antagonists in a 2013 animated film, a video game, a song lyric, and a Choose Your Own Adventure book.
Did You Know?
- One gwyll known as the Old Woman of the Mountain haunted Llanhyddel Mountain in Monmouthshire and was believed to be the ghost of a witch.
- Welsh ghosts and fairies were said to be afraid of knives and could be banished by them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gwyllion in Welsh folklore?
Gwyllion are hostile female fairy spirits in Welsh tradition, noted for their terrifying appearance. The word is the plural of gwyll (wild) and broadly covers wild, unruly night-wanderers or supernatural outlaws.
What do Gwyllion do to people they encounter?
Their signature mischief is luring travellers off course on isolated mountain roads, causing them to wander endlessly through the hills. They are specifically associated with lonely, unpopulated stretches of Welsh upland paths.
How are Gwyllion different from ellyllon (Welsh elves)?
Both belong to the Welsh fairy tradition, but gwyllion are the frightening, malevolent type while ellyllon tend toward the benevolent. Gwyllion are essentially the dangerous 'outlaws of the wild' variety of supernatural wanderers.
What is Gwyllion's known vulnerability?
In the Welsh folklore canon, knives are cited as a specific weakness against these spirits. This makes them one of the few Welsh fairy figures with a clearly stated physical vulnerability.
Where in Wales are Gwyllion most commonly encountered?
They are tied to the wild, lonely roads of the Welsh mountains rather than to lowland or settled areas. Their domain is the isolated upland paths where a lone traveller might lose their way.
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