Olwen

Olwen ([' olwen ] welsh " the white trail " ) is in Celtic mythology of Wales, the daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden. This has the intellectual that he would die on the day of the engagement of his daughter.

The Welsh Sage times y Kavas Kulhwch Olwen ("How Kulhwch Olwen won has " ), called short Kulhwch ac Olwen ( " Kulhwch and Olwen " ), is in the manuscript collection Llyfr Gwyn Rhydderch ( "The White Book of Rhydderch " ) recorded. The most important part of the "white book" are the Pedeir Keinc y Mabinogi ( "four branches of the Mabinogi ) ".

Mythology

The young hero Kulhwch wants to win on the advice of his father Cilydd with the help of King Arthur Olwen as his wife. With the help of five companions, including Mabon and Govannon, after a long search, he finds the castle of Olwens father Ysbaddaden. With his brother, the giant shepherds Custenhin, he wants to go for advice. But only when Custenhins woman in Kulhwch recognizes her sister's son Goleuddydd, this is ready. He invites you to Kulhwchs request, Olwen, to visit him.

Instant Kulhwch admits his love for her. But the girl makes it clear that her father would agree only under severe conditions. He had to die namely after her marriage, so loud his cynnedyf ( obligation taboo ). But she advises Kulwch to go to her father and say to each of his claims: "It's easy to meet it!"

Ysbadadden now demands the fulfillment of forty -impossible tasks. With the help of Arthur, however, this succeeds and Ysbaddaden must agree to the wedding of his daughter. Kulhwchs companions shave his hair and beard together with the skin, ears cut off him and finally he Goreu chops off his head. So the prophecy comes true and Ysbaddaden dies at Olwens wedding.