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{{Infobox fictional artifact
{{in-universe|date=September 2010}}
|name = The Cauldron of Rebirth
The '''Pair Dadeni''' is a mythical cauldron that can revive the dead. It plays an important role in ''[[The Mabinogion|Branwen ferch Llyr]]'', the second branch of [[The Mabinogion]].
|image = Efnysien.jpeg
|imagesize =
|caption = The Destruction of the Cauldron of Rebirth, by T. Prytherch
|alt =
|source = [[Welsh mythology]]
|source_type =
|company =
|first = [[Branwen ferch Llŷr]]
|first_ep =
|first_type =
|date =
|creator =
|episode_creator =
|type = Magical cauldron
|genre = Fantasy
|owner = [[Bendigeidfran]]
|traits =
|uses =
|affilitation = [[Bendigeidfran]], [[Efnisien]], [[Matholwch]]
|}}


In this tale, the cauldron belonged initially to the giant Llasar Llaes Gyfnewid and his wife Cymydei Cymeinfoll, who lived within the Lake of the Cauldron, in Ireland. Discovered by the Irish king [[Matholwch]], they were given a place at his court, but soon earned the contempt of the Irish for their behaviour. Ultimately, the Irish attempted to burn them to death within their Iron House, leading to the giant and giantess fleeing to [[United Kingdom|Britain]].


In [[Welsh mythology]] and [[Welsh literature|literature]], the '''Pair Dadeni''' is a magical cauldron able to revive the dead. It plays a key role in the [[Branwen ferch Llŷr|second branch]] of the [[Four Branches of the Mabinogi|Mabinogi]]. It has parallels with a number of other magic cauldrons in Welsh legend and folklore, including cauldron of Diwrnach the Irishman in ''[[Culhwch and Olwen]]'', the cauldron of the Head of Annwn in ''[[Preiddeu Annwfn]]'' and the cauldron of [[Cerridwen]] in the tale of [[Taliesin]].
[[Bran the Blessed|Bendigeidfran]], King of Britain, receives them and, for his hospitality, is given the cauldron as a gift. When [[Branwen]], [[Bran the Blessed|Bendigeidfran's]] sister, is courted by [[Matholwch]], the cauldron once again changes hands, and is given to the Irish king, as recompense for the bad behaviour of the Welsh chieftain [[Efnisien]]. Matholwch returns to Ireland with both the cauldron and with Branwen.


==Role in Welsh mythology==
Following the mistreatment of Branwen at Matholwch's hands, the hosts of Britain sail to Ireland to avenge the insult. After failed negotiations, a great war breaks out between the two islands, and it is the Irish who have the advantage, using the cauldron's magic qualities to revive their slain warriors. [[Efnisien]], disguising himself as a dead Irishman, is thrown into the cauldron and succeeds in destroying it, sacrificing himself in the process.
The cauldron belonged initially to the giant Llasar Llaes Gyfnewid and his wife Cymydei Cymeinfoll, who lived within the Lake of the Cauldron, in Ireland. Discovered by the Irish king [[Matholwch]], they were given a place at his court, but soon earned the contempt of the Irish for their behaviour. Ultimately, the Irish attempted to burn them to death within their Iron House, forcing the giant and giantess to flee to the [[Britain|Island of the Mighty]], where they are recieved by King [[Bran the Blessed|Bendigeidfran]]. In response to his hospitality, the giants give the cauldron to Bendigeidfran as a gift.


Some time later Matholwch sails to [[Harlech]] to speak with Bendigeidfran and to ask for the hand of his sister [[Branwen]] in marriage, thus forging an alliance between the two islands. Bendigeidfran agrees to Matholwch's request, but the celebrations are cut short when Efnysien, a half-brother to the children of [[Llŷr]], brutally mutilates Matholwch's horses, angry that his permission was not sought in regards to the marriage. Matholwch is deeply offended until Bran offers him compensation in the form of the Pair Dadeni that can restore the dead to life. Pleased with the gift, Matholwch and Branwen sail back to Ireland to reign.
The Pair Dadeni has parallels with a number of other magic cauldrons in Welsh legend and folklore. Examples include the cauldron of Diwrnach the Irishman in [[Culhwch and Olwen]], the cauldron of Annwn in [[Preiddeu Annwfn]] and the cauldron of Cerridwen in ''Hanes Taliesin''.


Once in Matholwch's kingdom, Branwen gives birth to a son, [[Gwern]], but Efnysien's insult continues to rankle among the Irish and, eventually, Branwen is mistreated, banished to the kingdom and beaten every day. She tames a starling and sends it across the [[Irish Sea]] with a message to her brother Bendigeidfran, who sails from Wales to Ireland to rescue her with his brother, [[Manawydan]] and a huge host of warriors, mustered from the 154 [[cantref]]s of [[United Kingdom|Britain]]. The Irish offer to make peace and build a house big enough to entertain Bendigeidfrân but hang a hundred bags inside, supposedly containing flour but actually containing armed warriors. Efnisien, suspecting treachery, reconnoitres the hall and kills the warriors by crushing their skulls. Later, at the feast, Efnisien, again feeling insulted, murders Gwern by burning him alive, and, as a result, a vicious battle breaks out. Seeing that the Irish are using the cauldron to revive their dead, he hides among the Irish corpses and is thrown into the cauldron by the unwitting enemy. He destroys the cauldron from within, sacrificing himself in the process.

{{Celtic mythology (Welsh)}}
[[Category:Mabinogion]]
[[Category:Mabinogion]]
[[Category:Welsh mythology]]
[[Category:Welsh mythology]]

Revision as of 11:23, 25 April 2011

The Cauldron of Rebirth
Welsh mythology element
The Destruction of the Cauldron of Rebirth, by T. Prytherch
First appearanceBranwen ferch Llŷr
GenreFantasy
In-universe information
TypeMagical cauldron
OwnersBendigeidfran


In Welsh mythology and literature, the Pair Dadeni is a magical cauldron able to revive the dead. It plays a key role in the second branch of the Mabinogi. It has parallels with a number of other magic cauldrons in Welsh legend and folklore, including cauldron of Diwrnach the Irishman in Culhwch and Olwen, the cauldron of the Head of Annwn in Preiddeu Annwfn and the cauldron of Cerridwen in the tale of Taliesin.

Role in Welsh mythology

The cauldron belonged initially to the giant Llasar Llaes Gyfnewid and his wife Cymydei Cymeinfoll, who lived within the Lake of the Cauldron, in Ireland. Discovered by the Irish king Matholwch, they were given a place at his court, but soon earned the contempt of the Irish for their behaviour. Ultimately, the Irish attempted to burn them to death within their Iron House, forcing the giant and giantess to flee to the Island of the Mighty, where they are recieved by King Bendigeidfran. In response to his hospitality, the giants give the cauldron to Bendigeidfran as a gift.

Some time later Matholwch sails to Harlech to speak with Bendigeidfran and to ask for the hand of his sister Branwen in marriage, thus forging an alliance between the two islands. Bendigeidfran agrees to Matholwch's request, but the celebrations are cut short when Efnysien, a half-brother to the children of Llŷr, brutally mutilates Matholwch's horses, angry that his permission was not sought in regards to the marriage. Matholwch is deeply offended until Bran offers him compensation in the form of the Pair Dadeni that can restore the dead to life. Pleased with the gift, Matholwch and Branwen sail back to Ireland to reign.

Once in Matholwch's kingdom, Branwen gives birth to a son, Gwern, but Efnysien's insult continues to rankle among the Irish and, eventually, Branwen is mistreated, banished to the kingdom and beaten every day. She tames a starling and sends it across the Irish Sea with a message to her brother Bendigeidfran, who sails from Wales to Ireland to rescue her with his brother, Manawydan and a huge host of warriors, mustered from the 154 cantrefs of Britain. The Irish offer to make peace and build a house big enough to entertain Bendigeidfrân but hang a hundred bags inside, supposedly containing flour but actually containing armed warriors. Efnisien, suspecting treachery, reconnoitres the hall and kills the warriors by crushing their skulls. Later, at the feast, Efnisien, again feeling insulted, murders Gwern by burning him alive, and, as a result, a vicious battle breaks out. Seeing that the Irish are using the cauldron to revive their dead, he hides among the Irish corpses and is thrown into the cauldron by the unwitting enemy. He destroys the cauldron from within, sacrificing himself in the process.