Meaning & History
Blodeuedd is the original name of the Welsh mythological figure Blodeuwedd, meaning "flowers" in Welsh. This name appears in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, a collection of medieval Welsh tales. According to the story, the magicians Math and Gwydion created a beautiful woman from the flowers of oak, broom, and meadowsweet to be the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes, who was cursed never to marry a human. They named her Blodeuedd, simply meaning "flowers." However, after she and her lover Gronw attempted to murder Lleu, Gwydion transformed her into an owl and renamed her Blodeuwedd, meaning "face of flowers."
Etymology
The name is derived from the Welsh word blodau meaning "flowers." The later form Blodeuwedd combines blodau with gwedd meaning "face, appearance."
Mythological Role
In the Mabinogi, Blodeuedd is created by Math and Gwydion to circumvent Arianrhod's curse that Lleu Llaw Gyffes would never have a human wife. She is described as the fairest maiden anyone had ever seen. Her name underscores her floral origin. After her betrayal of Lleu, her punishment is a metamorphosis into an owl, a creature that shuns the sun for other birds.
Related Names
In Irish mythology, similar flower-based names include Bláithín, Bláthnat, and Bláthane.
- Meaning: "flowers"
- Origin: Welsh
- Usage: Welsh mythology
- Type: First name (feminine)
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Blodeuwedd