Also called the Grey Mare, Y Fari Lwyd.
The tale
The Mari Lwyd is a horse's skull decorated with ribbons and mounted on a pole, carried by a man under a white sheet. In south Wales, between Christmas and Twelfth Night, the Mari Lwyd party visits houses and sings verses at the door, and the household must reply in verse. When the people inside run out of replies, the Mari and her party are let in for food, drink and mischief, bringing luck for the new year.
When they are met
- Christmas to Twelfth Night
- New Year
Staying on their good side
- a battle of verses at the door (the pwnco)
- food and drink for the party when they are let in
- good humour
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Join or watch a Mari Lwyd procession in south Wales at New Year.
- Try writing a few funny verses to exchange with friends.
What their tales teach
- community and fun in the dark season
- quick wit
- hospitality
Symbols
- the horse skull on a pole
- the white sheet
- ribbons
- the closed door
The custom is first recorded around 1800; claims of an ancient pagan origin are unproven.
Sources
- Owen, Welsh Folk Customs
- Peate, Mari Lwyd: A Suggested Explanation (Man, 1943)
More Celtic folklore
- The Banshee The keening woman of the fairy mound
- Selkies The seal folk who come ashore
- The Púca The shape-shifter of November
- The Aos Sí The people of the fairy mounds
- The Kelpie The water horse of the lochs
- The Tylwyth Teg The Fair Family of Wales
- Leprechaun The solitary fairy shoemaker
- Clurichaun The fairy of the wine cellar