Hounds of Annwn

The Hounds of Annwn are the spectral hounds associated with Annwn, the Welsh Otherworld. They belong to Arawn, Lord of Annwn. Sometimes he sends the pack out alone, but they also travel with him, especially in his guise as leader of the Wild Hunt. The dogs may also be accompanied by Matilda of the Night. The hounds leave Annwn for various reasons:

• To foretell or announce death

• To retrieve or escort souls to Annwn

• To reveal (or consume) corpses

Post-Christianity, the hounds of Annwn were reclassified as hell hounds, but Annwn is more accurately described as a paradise. It is not a realm of punishment. Some believe that hearing the hounds bay is a harbinger of death. The hounds serve as psychopomps, accompanying, protecting, and guiding dead souls to Annwn.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Cwn Annwn

ORIGIN:

Wales

MANIFESTATION:

In the First Branch of the Mabinogi, the hounds are described as shining white with red ears. Other sources described them as small, speckled greyish-red dogs.