The Pig in Welsh Mythology

Now that Spring is finally here, bringing with it warmer weather and longer days, it’s time to head back to the great Welsh outdoors! With this in mind, we have put together this selection of some of the more unusual family-friendly attractions we have here in North East Wales, each one in the magical, uplifting company of animals.

The pig occupies a unique place In Welsh mythology, with themes of transformation, magic, and the supernatural surrounding the animal.

In The Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales, one of the most prominent tales featuring pigs is the story of the Twrch Trwyth, a fearsome giant boar, which is hunted by King Arthur and his men. This creature, the son of Taredd Wledig, a prince, is cursed to take on the form of a wild boar as punishment for his wickedness.

The hunt for the Twrch Trwyth and the seven piglets (also men transformed), which accompany him, is a monumental and perilous task, taking Arthur and his valiant knights across the wilds of Wales.

The seven piglets are killed off one by one during the chase, though not without causing the death of several of Arthur’s knights, and despite the Twrch Trwyth eventually making it as far as Cornwall, the huge and terrifying animal is finally driven into the sea, never to be seen again.

Another significant pig in Welsh mythology is Henwen, ‘Old White’ in English, a magical white sow owned by Coll, a lowly swineherd. It was foretold that Henwen had the power to give birth to creatures that would bring either great fortune, or great disaster, to the land.

This prophecy reached the ears of King Arthur, and he ordered Coll to bring Henwen to him, in order that she may be destroyed to prevent the prophecy from coming true. However, on their way to the court, a great storm broke out and, in the confusion, Henwen, knowing her intended fate, made her escape.

Coll chased after her through dark forests, across roaring rivers, and over tumbling, jagged mountains, but with a grace and speed belying her size, Henwen managed to stay just beyond his reach. Along the way, Coll encountered various creatures and people who had been touched by Henwen's presence, learning of tales both wondrous and strange.

Coll finally caught up with Henwen, standing majestic and serene on the cliffs of the western coast, looking out across the ocean as a swirling sea-mist began to veil the land. As he approached her, Henwen began to give birth to the most outlandish of litters: a swarm of bees, which promised bountiful honey, a magnificent eagle soaring into the sky, to watch over the land, and a black kitten that slipped away into the shadows, hinting at unknown mischief. The magical white sow, her task completed, turned to him with wise and sorrowful eyes, before disappearing into the mist.
Coll returned to King Arthur with tales of Henwen's offspring. On hearing his account, King Arthur realised the truth of the prophecy: that the future cannot be dictated or denied, but must be faced with courage and wisdom.

The pig in Welsh mythology is a creature imbued with magical significance and profound symbolic weight. From the formidable Twrch Trwyth to the prophetic Henwen, pigs represent transformation, abundance, and the mystical connection between the human world and those beyond our comprehension.
© Sonia Goulding, September 2024

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The Pig in Welsh Mythology

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