Mari Lwyd, also known as Gray Mary in English, is a character found in Welsh folklore, specifically South Wales wassailing tradition during Christmastime.
Origin[]
The actual origin of Mari Lwyd is ultimately unknown- some historians believe its name to be a translation of "Blessed Mary", a reference to the Virgin Mary, while others translate it to "Gray Horse", a figure often referenced in Celtic Mythology as being able to pass to and from the underworld. Its "hobby-horse" construction is similar to that of other similar stock characters found in old theater traditions from other European countries, such as the "Hooden Horse" of Kent, and the Old Tup/Old Horse of England.
Description[]
A typical Mari Lwyd costume consists of a horse skull held aloft on a long pole, with the person holding the pole covered from head to foot in a white sheet, giving it the appearance of a white-robed figure with a horse skull for a head. Sometimes a second pole is attached to the jawbone, allowing the person playing Mari Lwyd to make it "speak" like a puppet. The skull is then decorated with colorful ribbons, flowers, bows, bells, painted patterns, wigs, veils, and other festive accoutrements. The eye sockets are filled in with colorful glass balls or shiny metal discs for eyes, and ears made of paper or cloth are sometimes added as well.
Most Mari Lwyd costumes are constructed from a real horse's skull, though some can be made from wood or papier-mâché.
Tradition[]
Wassailing is an old English tradition celebrated on Twelfth Night, the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas (January 5 or 6, depending if the days start on the day of or after Christmas) in which groups of people will dress up in costumes and go door-to-door throughout their town, singing songs and asking for food and drink (traditions that later evolved into modern-day customs for Christmas and Halloween).
The week between Christmas and New Years is the time when Mari Lwyd comes to visit, usually at night. Typically, six people act out the tradition. One member would dress as Mari Lwyd, while the remaining members of the group dress up as "Punch and Judy" stock characters, and tie colorful ribbons around the skull to use as reigns to lead the horse around. The wassailers will then go up to random houses and knock on the door, whereupon Mari Lwyd will ask to be invited in via a short poem or song. The resident of the house must then respond in turn with an excuse to not let them inside, after which Mari Lywd asks again, going back and forth until either party gives up. If let inside, Mari Lwyd and their fellow wassailers proceed to eat, drink, and make merry for a short while before leaving to do the same thing to another house.
While the townspeople sing Christmas Carols and Welsh traditional songs, Mari Lywd walks through the town. When they enter a house or bar, the horse would try to attack the residents, snapping and neighing at anyone nearby. The people leading the horse would restrain the horse from attacking children.
Most of the chaos, although portrayed as terrifying, was all in good fun. The guests were often rewarded with Christmas desserts to thank them for bringing "good luck" to the house.
Mari Lwyd in fiction[]
A children's book entitled Silver on the Tree has a part where the protagonists cross paths with the frightening Mari Lwyd.
