Also called Manawydan fab Llŷr.
Their story
Manawydan, brother of Brân, survived the war in Ireland and married Rhiannon. An enchantment fell on Dyfed, leaving the land empty, so he and Pryderi went to England and worked as saddlers, shield-makers and shoemakers, each time being driven out because their work was too good. Back home, his wheat was stolen by mice; he caught one and prepared to hang it, refusing every bribe, until the enchanter Llwyd admitted it was his wife. Manawydan won the lifting of the spell and the freedom of Rhiannon and Pryderi.
Best times to give to them
- Calan Mai
- Calan Gaeaf
- when you must wait out a hard time
What they like being given
- bread and wheat
- something mended rather than thrown away
- a quiet cup of tea in his name
How to honour them
- Learn a craft slowly and patiently, and dedicate the practice to him.
- When things fall apart, ask him for the steadiness to rebuild.
- Resolve a dispute by calm bargaining rather than force.
How they can help you
- patience and resilience
- rebuilding after loss
- fair negotiation
- learning a trade
Symbols
- the mouse
- shoes and saddles
- the enchanted fort
His name matches the Irish Manannán, though the Welsh stories show him as a wise, landbound man rather than a sea god.
Sources
- Manawydan fab Llŷr (the Third Branch of the Mabinogi)
- Trioedd Ynys Prydein
More Celtic gods
- The Dagda The good god, father of all
- Lugh Master of all the arts
- Cernunnos The antlered one of the wild
- Manannán mac Lir Lord of the sea and the Otherworld
- Aengus The young god of love
- Nuada The king with the silver hand
- Dian Cécht Physician of the Tuatha Dé Danann
- Goibniu Smith of the gods and brewer of the feast