Blodeuwedd's story, found in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, is one of the most tragic and debated in Welsh mythology. She is not born, but made—a beautiful woman created from flowers by the magicians Math and Gwydion. Her tale explores the conflict between created purpose and innate nature, the consequences of betrayal, and the ultimate transformation of beauty into something wild and predatory.
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Creation from Flowers
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The Betrayal
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The Transformation
Click on a stage of the story to learn more.
Nature, Betrayal, and Sovereignty
Blodeuwedd is more than just an unfaithful wife; she is a powerful symbol of wild, untamable nature being forced into a civilized role it was never meant to fill. Created for a single purpose—to be a wife—her story becomes a tragedy when her own desires and instincts come into conflict with the destiny her creators laid out for her. She is often interpreted as a "sovereignty" figure in reverse: instead of a goddess of the land choosing a king, she is a woman made *from* the land who rejects the king chosen for her.
A Feminist Reading
In modern interpretations, particularly from a feminist perspective, Blodeuwedd is seen as a victim. She had no say in her own creation or marriage. Her betrayal of Lleu is re-framed as an act of self-determination—choosing her own lover and attempting to seize control of her own life. Her transformation into an owl, a creature of the night, is seen not just as a punishment, but as a release from her false life into a form that is wild, solitary, and free from the control of men.
The Nature of Blodeuwedd
This chart visualizes the fundamental conflict within Blodeuwedd. She is composed of the wild magic of nature, yet she is bound by the ring of societal duty imposed upon her by her male creators.
Symbols of Blossom and Shadow
Blodeuwedd's associations are distinctly dualistic, reflecting the two phases of her existence. One set relates to her creation from flowers—symbols of beauty, nature, and ephemerality. The other relates to her transformation into an owl—symbols of the night, wisdom, and predation.
Further Reading
Blodeuwedd's story is found exclusively in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, "Math son of Mathonwy." These translations are the best sources for her original tale.
Davies, Sioned (trans.) (2007). The Mabinogion.
The standard modern academic translation, with excellent notes that explore the linguistic and cultural nuances of Blodeuwedd's character.
Ford, Patrick K. (trans.) (2008). The Mabinogion and Other Medieval Welsh Tales.
A clear and accessible translation that powerfully conveys the narrative of the Fourth Branch.
Walton, Evangeline (1974). The Island of the Mighty.
A classic and influential fictional retelling of the Mabinogi. Her portrayal of Blodeuwedd is particularly powerful and has shaped many modern interpretations.