Meaning & History
Blodeuwedd is a name from Welsh mythology, meaning "face of flowers" in Welsh (from blodau "flowers" and gwedd "face"). According to the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, she was created out of flowers by the magicians Gwydion and Math to be the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes, who was under a curse that he could never marry a human woman. Originally named Blodeuedd (simply "flowers"), she was formed from the blossoms of oak, broom, and meadowsweet.
Role in Welsh Mythology
Blodeuwedd's story unfolds in the Mabinogi branch Math fab Mathonwy. After her creation, she became Lleu's wife, but she soon fell in love with a hunter named Gronw Pebr. The two conspired to kill Lleu, but Lleu survived the attempt and, with Gwydion's help, confronted the lovers. In punishment, Gwydion transformed Blodeuwedd into an owl—a bird hated by other birds—and renamed her Blodeuwedd ("flower-face") to reflect her transformed state. This myth explains the owl's nocturnal nature and its estrangement from daylight, as Blodeuwedd was condemned to roam at night, forever avoiding the sun.
Etymology and Significance
The name is a compound of blodau ("flowers") and gwedd ("face, appearance"), emphasizing her floral origin. Unlike most mythological figures, Blodeuwedd is not a human queen but an artificial being—a bride created from nature itself. Her story explores themes of fidelity, betrayal, and transformation, and it is one of the earliest literary depictions of a construct or golem in Western tradition.
Notable Bearers
As a mythological figure, Blodeuwedd has no historical bearers, but she appears in modern culture: her name has been used for a figure in the Mabinogi film Otherworld (2002), and she is referenced in fantasy novels such as John Cowper Powys' Owen Glendower (1941). The name is sometimes given to girls in Wales or by those with an interest in Celtic mythology.
Key Facts
- Meaning: "Face of flowers" in Welsh
- Origin: Welsh legend (the Mabinogi)
- Type: Mythological character
- Usage: Rare, mostly in Wales or among Celtic myth enthusiasts
Sources: Wikipedia — Blodeuwedd