Welsh folklore is packed with superstitions, many tied to the language itself. Here’s a breakdown of the most interesting ones, along with the Welsh words you’ll need to talk about them.
The Tylwyth Teg and Other Supernatural Beings
The Welsh equivalent of fairies, the Tylwyth Teg (literally 'Fair Family'), were believed to kidnap children or lead travellers astray. Saying their name out loud was thought to summon them - so people used euphemisms like Bendith y Mamau ('Mother’s Blessing') instead.
Tylwyth Teg
/ˈtəlʊiθ teːɡ/“Fair Folk”
The Welsh fairies, often depicted as beautiful but mischievous or dangerous beings.
Bendith y Mamau
/ˈbɛndɪθ ə ˈmamaɪ/“Mother’s Blessing”
A euphemism for the Tylwyth Teg, used to avoid attracting their attention.
Lucky and Unlucky Actions
Welsh superstitions include plenty of dos and don’ts. Some key ones:
- Never walk under a ladder (dringo dan ysgol) - it invites bad luck.
- Spilling salt (halen) means you must throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
- A black cat (cath ddu) crossing your path is lucky, not unlucky - unlike in English superstitions.
Death Omens
Welsh folklore has some grim predictors of death:
- Hearing a toili (phantom funeral procession) meant someone nearby would die soon.
- A bird flying into the house (aderyn yn hedfan i mewn) was a bad omen.
- The canu’r cyff ('singing of the chaff') - a strange noise heard at night - meant death was coming.
toili
/ˈtɔɪli/“phantom funeral”
A spectral funeral procession, seen or heard as an omen of death.
Protective Charms
To counter bad luck, the Welsh used charms like:
- A cwpwrdd deilen ('leaf cupboard') - a folded rowan leaf carried for protection.
- Iron (haearn) placed under a baby’s cradle to ward off fairies.
- The phrase Duw a’m dygo ('God protect me') muttered to avoid curses.
Many of these superstitions are fading, but the words live on - useful for understanding Welsh culture and literature.
More on Welsh Language
For deeper dives into Welsh vocabulary, check out our guide on Welsh adjectives.
