MISCELLANEOUS BELIEFS, WEATHER SIGNS, BIRDS, LORE, Etc.
To find a horse shoe on the road or in a field is considered extremely
lucky.
To see a lamb for the first time during the season with its head
facing you is also lucky.
When you see a newly-wedded couple throw an old pair of shoes at them,
for it means "good luck to them."
This was done now at Llanilar, October, 1910, at the wedding of Miss
Jones, Bryntirion, by Mrs. Richards, Derwen-Deg.
To drop your stick or umbrella on your journey is unlucky.
When you have started on a journey, to turn back to the house for
something you have forgotten, means bad luck.
To bring heather into the house is a sign of death: white heather,
however, is considered extremely lucky.
It is unlucky to meet a white horse when on a journey, to change it
into luck spit over your little finger.
If a young lady looks through a silk-handkerchief at the first new
moon after New Year's Day, she will be able to see her future husband.
It is unlucky to find a coin on the road, but if the head and not
the tail happens to be up it is a lucky omen.
To carry in one's purse a crooked sixpence, or a coin with a hole in
it is lucky.
Spit on the first coin you get in the day, and you'll have luck for
24 hours.
Never begin any new work on a Friday or Saturday.
It is considered unlucky for a servant to go to service on a Thursday
or a Saturday. In Cardiganshire servants go to service either on a
Monday or Wednesday, which are considered lucky days.
A woman near Narberth in Pembrokeshire told me that Tuesdays and
Thursdays are lucky days in that part.
In some parts of Carmarthenshire, the most lucky days are Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays.
But the fact of it is, I have discovered that the days which are
considered lucky in one part of the country are considered unlucky
in another part.
Odd numbers, especially three, and seven, are said to be lucky numbers.
Thirteen, however, is considered very unlucky, and it is thought that
if thirteen persons sit down to table, the last person who sits down
and the first to rise up, are those to whom the ill-luck will fall.
It is considered unlucky by many to shake hands across a table;
and when two people are shaking hands, if two others of the company
attempt to shake hands across their hands it is a very unlucky sign.
It is considered unlucky by some to baptise more than one child in
the same water. There is also the same superstition respecting one
man washing after another in the same water.
In Cardiganshire, it is believed that he who dies on Sunday is a
godly man.
Mr. Eyre Evans, Aberystwyth, informed me that he has just come across
some people in Montgomeryshire who consider it unlucky to pick up or
carry white stones in their pockets; and it seems from Sir John Rhys,
that Manx Fishermen do not like to have a white stone in a boat.
Curious Belief about Salt.--When people remove into a new house it
is customary to take a bar of salt into the building before taking
in any of the furniture. This is supposed to secure good luck.
When this salt ceremony is forgotten or neglected, some people,
especially women, are very much perturbed.
I have discovered that this curious old belief about salt is very
common at present in the towns of Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, and Tenby,
and other parts of West Wales.
To spill salt denotes quarrels. To serve another person with salt,
is to serve him with sorrow.
When a white spot appeals on the nail of one of our fingers it means
a present.
Never stir the fire in anybody's house unless you are a friend of
seven years' standing.
To break a looking-glass signifies ill-luck for seven years.
To put the bellows on a table is considered unlucky. There is also
the same superstition about boots all over Wales.
Never mend your clothes while you are wearing them.
If you see a pin pick it up to insure good luck.
There is a saying in Welsh "Gwell plygu at bin, na phlygu at ddim," (It
is better to bend down for a pin, than to bend down for nothing.) It
seems that a needle, however, is not considered so lucky; for I once
overheard a woman who had quarrelled with her neighbour telling her
husband that her neighbour and herself were friends before she had
given her a needle.
If a bramble clings to the skirts of a young lady some one has fallen
in love with her; and the same is said of a young man when his hat
goes against the branches of a tree.
Welshpeople believe that those who have cold hands are very
warm-hearted; hence the saying "Llaw oer a chalon gynes," (A cold
hand and a warm heart).
Two spoons in a saucer denote a wedding, or according to some that
you are to be married twice dining your lifetime.
In West Wales it is considered unlucky to eat herring or any kind of
fish, from the head downwards; and in order to ensure good luck the
proper way is to eat the fish from the tail towards the head. This
superstition is also known in Cornwall.
If in making tea you forget to replace the lid on the teapot, it is
the sure sign of the arrival of a stranger.
David Evans, a millwright, of Llandilo, informed me a short time ago,
that one evening when he was staying in Lampeter, the woman of the
house who was preparing tea for supper at a late hour, forgot to
replace the lid on the pot. When she found it out, she exclaimed:
"A stranger is sure to come here to-night." The husband and wife,
and the millwright sat down by the fire till a late hour, but there
was no sign of a stranger; just as they were going to bed, however,
there was a knock at the door, and a stranger came in!
Superstitions about Knives.--To cross your knife and fork is considered
unlucky; and crossed knives foretell some approaching disaster.
To find a knife on the road or in a field is also supposed to be
a very bad omen. This superstition is very general in all parts of
Wales, and even in far off parts of the world as well. Many years ago
in Patagonia, South America, two friends of mine and myself met in a
field one morning by appointment, in connection with some particular
business. Each of us three had come from different directions, and
each of us had arrived at the spot the same time, and when we came
together, strange to say, we discovered that each of us had found
a knife on the way! The names of my two friends were Edwin Roberts,
and William James, one was a native of Flintshire, and the other a
native of Cardiganshire, both of them were no means superstitious;
but I well remember that they were very much perturbed on account
of the knives, and feared that some serious misfortune was going to
happen. As soon as we went home we heard the sad news that a young
man named Isaac Howells, was accidentally drowned in the river!
It is also very generally believed at present, that it is unlucky to
receive a knife as a present. In such cases it is customary to pay
a penny for the knife.
Wish whenever you get the first taste of the season of any kind of
food. It is also considered very lucky to taste as many Christmas
puddings as you can.
It is considered unlucky to pass under a ladder.
When walking a long journey if your feet are sore rub the feet of
your stockings with soap.
A ringing in the right ear is a sign of good news; but a ringing in
the left one, unpleasant news.
When the palm of your left hand itches, you are about to give away
some money, or some one is blaming you; but when the palm of you
right hand itches, it is a sign that you are about to receive money,
or that someone is praising you or writing a kind letter to you.
When going on a journey, if the sole of your right foot itches,
the journey will be a pleasant one; but the contrary if the left
foot itches.
A child born with a caul is supposed to be very lucky, and he will
always be safe from drowning. A caul is much appreciated among sailors
in West Wales, as it is believed that to keep one on board the ship
secures a safe voyage.
In all parts of Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, it is generally
believed among women that it is unlucky to cut the nails of an infant
under six months old. The mother bites them off as they grow.
Superstition about Whistling.--It is considered unlucky for a young
woman to whistle. Whistling is also, or at least was regarded,
as "Talking with the Devil." Mr. Ferrar Fenton in "Pembrokeshire
Antiquities," page 59, says, that many years ago he happened to
whistle one day whilst walking on the pier at Fishguard with a
young sea captain. The Captain seemed very much perturbed at the
whistling, and at last said to Mr. Fenton:--"I wish you would not
whistle here!" "Why? What harm does it do?" "Well, you know," he
said slowly, as if shy at his words, "We Welshmen and sailors are
superstitious over some things, and whistling as you now do, is one
of them." "Superstitious! Not you! But tell me about it: I love all
those old tales." "You see," he replied, "my mother and all the old
people told me when a boy that such kind of whistling was the way
Croignorian (Magicians) talk with the Devil, and sailors believe
something like it, and it always makes my heart start to hear it,
especially on the seashore." Then he added, "Look! how muggy it
is behind Pencaer. You'll bring a gale, and I always feel pity for
the sailors afloat when a sou'-wester rages in the channel behind
it." When the great Divine and Martyr, Bishop Ferrar, of St. David's,
was burnt alive at Carmarthen in 1555, amongst other pretences for
his destruction he was accused of being a Magician, and "teaching
his infant son to talk with the Devil by means of whistling."
In the old days of sailing ships, wind was an agent of great value;
and sometimes sailors whistled for a wind, and this whistling was
considered a direct invocation to "the prince of the power of the air"
to exert himself on their behalf. I have heard of an old man who is
still alive who believes that the devil has some control over wind
and rain.
THE MOON.
There are still lingering in Wales many beliefs and practices with
respect to the moon. It is considered unlucky to see the new moon the
first time through the window, and many persons go out of doors to see
her and show her a piece of money to insure good luck while that moon
lasts. I was told by an old gentleman in Cardiganshire that he had seen
many taking off their hats and bowing to the new moon; some ladies
also make a curtsey to her, and it is considered very lucky to see
her over the right shoulder. If a person wishes anything when he sees
the new moon after New Year's Day, his wish will be granted to him.
Putting a Hen to Sit.--A hen is put to sit so as to get the chick
out of the egg at the waxing, and not at the waning of the moon,
as it is believed that the young birds are strong or weak according
to the age of the moon when they are hatched.
Sowing.--There are still many people who are very particular to sow
their seeds in their gardens and their fields during the first quarter
of the moon, owing to the idea that the seed will then germinate
quicker, and grow stronger than when the moon is on the wane. I knew
a farmer--a native of Llanfynydd, in Carmarthenshire--who was always
very careful to sow his wheat during the first quarter or the waxing
of the moon, and it is a well-known fact that he had always a good
crop at harvest time.
There are also people who are very particular about having their
hair cut just before or about full moon so that it might grow better
afterwards.
When a child, I was told that the dark object which is to be seen in
the moon is a man who was taken up there as a punishment for gathering
firewood on the Sabbath Day.
WEATHER SIGNS, SEASONS.
The cat sitting with her back to the fire is considered to be a sign
of snow.
The cock crowing on rainy weather is a sign of fair weather for the
rest of the day.
Sea-gulls flying seaward betoken fair weather; when they fly landward,
a storm is coming.
When the crane flies against the stream, that is, up the river
towards its source, it is considered a sign of rain; but the same
bird going down the river, is a sign of fair weather. The same is
said of the heron.
To see ducks and geese flap their wings and dive wildly about is a
sign of rain.
Crows flying low portend rain; but if they fly high in the air it is
a sign of fair weather. The same is said of swallows.
Other rain signs are the woodpecker's screech; and the cows running
wildly about.
If the mountain ponies leave the low and sheltered valleys and return
to the mountains during hard weather, it is a sign of a change in
the weather.
The sheep flocking together is a sign of rough weather.
According to the old Welsh saying the rainbow appearing in the sky
in the morning portends rain; and in the afternoon fair weather:--
"Bwa'r arch y bore,
Aml a hir gawode;
Bwa'r arch prydnawn,
Tywydd teg a gawn."
Rainbow in the morning,
Frequent and long showers;
Rainbow in the afternoon,
Fair weather we shall have.
Ceredigion, in "Bye-Gones," August 2nd, 1905, says: "All along the
Merioneth and Cardiganshire Coasts farmers watch the sea carefully
in harvest time. If there be not a cloud in the sky; if the wind be
in a dry quarter; and if the sea be of cerulean blue, if the margin
be discoloured and muddy, the farmers know that rain is approaching
and will probably be on them before nightfall."
If distant mountains are clearly seen, rain may be expected; but if the
mountains appear as if they were far off, it is a sign of fine weather.
When the smoke from the chimney falls down toward the ground, instead
of rising upward, it is a sign that rainy weather will soon follow;
but if the smoke goes upward straight, it is a sign of fair weather.
In the evening, when the horizon in the west is tinged with a ruddy
glow it is a sign that fair and dry weather will come.
In the summer, when the atmosphere is dense and heavy it is a sign
of a thunder-storm.
Rough weather may be expected when the wind blows the dust about,
and throws down people's hats.
When the stone floors are damp and are long in drying after having
been washed is a sign of fair weather.
It is also considered a good sign to see large numbers of white
butterflies.
Another good sign of fine weather is the sun setting red and clear.
Bread and butter falling on the floor upside down signifies "rain is
near," according to some folks.
When the moon's horns are turned up, it is a sign of fine weather;
if they are turned down rain is coming. When the face of the moon is
partially obscured by a light thin vapour rain is coming.
Welsh people in country places generally expect a change of weather
when the moon changes; and I have just been informed at Llanilar,
that a new moon on a wet Saturday, brings wet weather, but that,
on the other hand, a new moon on a fine Saturday, brings fine weather.
By Christmas, the days are said to have lengthened "a cock's stride."
The following Welsh weather sayings I often heard when a boy:--
"Chwefrol chwyth,
Chwytha'r deryn oddiar ei nyth."
(February's blast
Blows the bird from its nest.)
"Mawrth a ladd,
Ebrill a fling."
(March kills,
April flays.)
If the hazel (collen) blooms well it is a sign of a fruitful year.
"A NUTTY YEAR."
In Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, it is believed that if nuts
will be numerous, many children will be born that year.
A MILD WINTER.
I have met many people all over Wales who think that a very mild
winter is not good, and they repeat the old saying:--
"Gaeaf glas, mynwent fras."
which means that
"When the winter is green, many funerals will be seen."
BIRDS AND BEASTS LORE.
THE CUCKOO.
It is believed in Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire by many,
especially old people, that the cuckoo does not go away from this
country in winter, but sleeps in some sheltered place. When a boy,
I often heard the following ditty:--
"Amser y gwcw yw Ebrill a Mai,
A hanner Mehefin, chwi wyddoch bob rhai."
(The Cuckoo's time is April and May,
And half of June, as all know, I daresay).
The cuckoo making its appearance before the leaves are on the hawthorn
bush is a sign of a bad year; and for the bird not to appear at its
usual time is also a bad sign; hence:
"Gwcw Glamme,
Cosyn dime."
When you hear the cuckoo for the first time in the season it is very
important to have money in your pocket in order to secure good luck
for the coming year. People turn the money in their pockets with
their hands, and sometimes toss a piece into the air. It is also
considered very lucky to hear this bird for the first time when you
are standing on green grass; but if you are on the road or on bare
ground, it is otherwise.
I have met people who do not like to hear the cuckoo for the first time
before they get up from bed in the morning. To see the bird coming to
the door is also regarded as an evil omen by some. A woman in North
Cardiganshire informed me that a cuckoo came to the door before her
father died. The cuckoo is supposed to be accompanied by the wryneck
known in Welsh as Gwas-y-Gwcw.
If we are to believe an old legend, the cuckoo in former times used
to begin to sing at Nevern, in Pembrokeshire, on the 7th of April,
patron day of that parish; and George Owen of Henllys, who lived in
the time of Queen Elizabeth, says, "I might well here omit an old
report as yet fresh, of this odious bird, that in the old world the
parish priest of the Church would not begin mass until this bird,
called the citizen's ambassador, had first appeared and began her
note, on a stone called St. Byrnach's Stone, being curiously wrought
with sundry sorts of knots, standing upright in the Church-yard of
the parish, and one year staying very long, and the priest and the
people expecting her accustomed coming (for I account this bird of
the feminine gender) came at last, lighting on the said stone, her
accustomed preaching place, and being scarce able once to sound the
note, presently fell dead."
According to another old legend, this stone upon which the cuckoo
began her note, was at first intended by St. David for Llanddewi
Brefi, but St. Brynach prevailed upon him to leave it at Nevern. The
Rev. J. T. Evans, Rector of Stow, gives this legend in "The Church
Plate of Pembrokeshire."
THE SWALLOW--Y WENNOL.
Many superstitions which cluster round the Swallow, have descended to
us from remote antiquity; and among the Romans this bird was sacred to
the household gods and the family. In Wales, it was formerly believed
that the swallow, like the cuckoo, slept through the winter. This
bird is also supposed to bring good fortune to the house upon which
it builds its nest. If, however, the bird forsakes its old nest on a
house, it is considered a sign of ill-luck. It is also most unlucky
to break a swallow's nest.
"Y neb a doro nyth y wenol
Ni wel fwyniant yn dragwyddol."
(Whoever breaks a swallow's nest,
Never, never shall be blest.)
ROBIN REDBREAST.
"Cursed is the man who kills a Robin," and ill-luck follows those
who take the eggs of this little bird.
The following Carmarthenshire story about the robin appeared in Bye
Gones, vol. 1. p. 173:--
"Far, far away, is a land of woe, darkness, spirits of evil, and
fire. Day by day does the little bird bear in its bill a drop of water
to quench the flame. So near to the burning stream does he fly that his
dear little feathers are scorched; and hence is he named Bronchuddyn
(Qu. Bronrhuddyn), i.e., breastburned, or breastscorched. To serve
little children, the robin dares approach the infernal pit. No good
child will hurt the devoted benefactor of man. The robin returns from
the land of fire, and, therefore, he feels the cold of winter far
more than the other birds. He shivers in brumal blasts, and hungry
he chirps before your door. Oh, my child, then, in pity throw a few
crumbs to the poor redbreast."
This old Welsh legend has been rendered into verse by the poet
Whittier.
THE WREN--Y DRYW.
It seems from the following Welsh rhyme that the wren was also a
sacred bird:--
"Pwy bynag doro nyth y dryw,
Ni wel byth mo wyneb Duw."
(Whoever breaks a wren's nest
Shall never know the Heavenly rest.)
It was once customary in Pembrokeshire to carry a wren round the
houses during the Christmas holidays. I have given a full account of
this custom in another chapter.
How the wren became king of the birds, is related in the next
paragraph.
THE OWL.
The Owl is rather unpopular in Wales, and its hooting is considered
a sign of ill-luck, if not of death. This bird is also supposed to be
"hateful unto all birds." To account for the unpopularity of the owl
there are many legends. The following is given by Mr. H. W. Evans,
Solva, in the "Pembrokeshire Antiquities," p. 49:
"At one time all the birds unanimously decided to elect unto themselves
a king; and (probably with an eye on the eagle) they resolved to crown
monarch the bird that would soar the highest. On a signal being given
they all started on their upward flight. After a very exciting contest
the eagle was seen considerably higher than all other birds. Having
reached the highest altitude possible he, in a loud voice, proclaimed
himself king. 'No, no, not yet,' said a wren which had perched on the
eagle's back and had now flown a few yards higher. 'Come up here,'
said the wren; but the eagle, having exhausted his strength, was
unable to raise himself, and so the wren became king. When the birds
beheld their king, they became very sad and sorrowful, and they cried
bitterly. Afterwards they met in solemn conclave, and decided to drown
their king in tears. So they procured a pan to hold their tears, and
the birds gathered and craned their necks over the pan and wept. But
the owl clumsily mounted the edge of the pan, thereby upsetting it,
and spilled the tears. The birds became enraged at this, and swore
vengeance against the owl, and ever since he has not dared to show
himself during the day, and is obliged to seek his food at night,
when all other birds are asleep."
According to another version of this tale which is extant in
Carmarthenshire, the wren in the contest for the kingship fell to the
ground and hurt himself. The birds in compassion, prepared healing
broth to cure the little bird--each bird putting something in the pot
towards making this broth--the owl through his clumsiness was guilty
of upsetting this pot containing the healing broth.
According to the Mabinogion, (see Math the son of Mathonwy) a woman
named Blodeuwedd, for her wickedness towards her husband was turned
into an owl; "and because of the shame thou hast done unto Llew Llaw
Gyffes, thou shalt never show thy face in the light of day henceforth;
and that through fear of all the other birds.... Now Blodeuwedd is
an owl in the language of this present time, and for this reason is
the owl hateful unto all birds."
THE RAVEN.
To see one raven crossing the road when a person starts on a journey,
is a bad omen; two ravens, however, are considered lucky.
THE MAGPIE.
I know many people in country places who are pleased to see two or
three magpies going together from left to right when a person starts
on a journey, as they regard it an omen of good luck. But to see a
magpie crossing from the right to the left means ill-luck. Fortunately,
however, a person can make void this bad luck by making a cross on the
road and spit in the middle of it. A raven crossing after the magpie
also makes void the bad luck, according to some; but the superstitions
about the magpie and the raven are very similar.
Should a magpie descend on the back of a cow on the evening the
animal is taken into the cow-house for the winter, it is a bad sign;
but should this occur when the cow is taken out from the cowhouse
for the summer, it is a good omen.
An old woman at Yspytty Ystwyth, informed me that the magpie was a
bird of evil omen; for on the very day before her husband was killed
at the mines, she saw three magpies close to the window.
THE MAGPIE AND THE WOOD-PIGEON.
"The Magpie, observing the slight knowledge of nest building possessed
by the wood-pigeon, kindly undertook the work of giving his friend
a lesson in the art, and as the lesson proceeded, the Wood-pigeon,
bowing, cooed out:--
Mi wn! Mi wn! Mi wn!
I know! I know! I know!
The instructor was at first pleased with his apt pupil, and proceeded
with his lesson, but before another word could be uttered, the bird,
swelling with pride at its own importance and knowledge, said again:--
I know! I know! I know!
The Magpie was annoyed at this ignorant assurance, and with bitter
sarcasm said: 'Since you know, do it then,' and this is why the wood
pigeon's nest is so untidy in our days. In its own mind it knew all
about nest building and was above receiving instruction, and hence its
clumsy way of building its nest. This fable gave rise to a proverb,
"As the wood pigeon said to the magpie: 'I know.'" Iolo MSS., page 567.
THE PIGEON.
It is said that if a sick person asks for a pigeon's pie, or the flesh
of a pigeon, it is a sign that his death is near. There is also a
superstition that people cannot die in ease if there are pigeon's
feathers in their pillows. A writer in "Bye-Gones" refers to the
case of a woman who died in 1803 at a farm-house called Southern
Pills in the Parish of Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, and states that on
her death-bed the nurse snatched the pillow from under her head.
THE BEES.
The bees understand Welsh; for a woman on the borders of Cardiganshire
and Carmarthenshire informed me that they have a Queen, who leads,
and that they follow, when she bids them to come in these words:--
"Dewch, Dewch, Dewch."
(Come, come, come.)
There are many superstitions about bees. There was a custom once of
telling the bees of a death in the family, and they were even put in
mourning. It was once considered by some very lucky to find that a
strange swarm of bees had arrived in the garden or tree; if, however,
they alighted on a dead tree it was an ill omen.
THE BEES AND ST. DAVID.
"Modomnoc, a disciple of St. David, went to Ireland, and a large
swarm of bees followed him, and settled on the prow of the ship
where he sat. They supplied him with meat during his Irish Mission;
but he, not wishing to enjoy their company by fraud, brought them
back to Wales, when they fled to their usual place, and David blessed
Modomnoc for his humility. Three times the bees went and returned,
and the third time holy David dismissed Modomnoc with the bees, and
blessed them, saying that henceforth bees should prosper in Ireland,
and should no longer increase in Glyn Rosyn. 'This,' adds Rhyddmarch,
'is found to be the fact: swarms forthwith decreased at David's;
but Ireland, in which, until that time, bees could never live, is
now enriched with plenty of honey. It is manifested that they could
not live there before; for if you throw Irish earth or stone into
the midst of the bees, they disperse, and, flying, they will shun
it.'--"Pilgrimage to St. David's."
THE COCK.
It is very curious that some people think that it is very lucky to
possess a white cock and a black cat, whilst others look upon them
with extreme disfavour.
"Na chadw byth yng ynghylch dy dy,
Na cheiliog gwyn na chath ddu."
(Never keep about thy house,
A white cock, nor a black cat.)
A cock crowing in the day-time before the door announces the visit
of a friend; but should he crow at night before or about midnight,
it is considered a sign of death.
Cock-fighting was once common in Wales, and spots have been pointed
out to me here and there, in Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire where
such fights took place.
THE CAT.
In some parts of the country a black cat is looked upon with extreme
disfavour; in other parts again people say that a black cat keeps
trouble out of the house. "Cath ddu yn cadw gofid ma's o'r ty."
It was thought that cats born in May bring snakes into the house.
If the cat washed her face, strangers might be expected.
FLYING SERPENTS--GWIBEROD.
The Welsh name Gwiber means a flying snake, or a flying serpent,
an imaginary creature supposed to be a kind of dragon. There are
traditions of these dangerous creatures in several parts of Wales; and
it was formerly believed that a snake, by drinking the milk of a woman,
became transformed into a flying serpent. This superstition was very
common in the southern part of Cardiganshire until very recently. A few
years ago when staying for a short time at Talybont in the northern
part of the same county, a rocky spot was pointed out to me, about a
mile from the village, where, according to tradition, a Gwiber which
attacked people, had a lurking place in former times. There is also
a tradition in the parish of Trelech, Carmarthenshire, that a Gwiber
lurked in that neighbourhood once upon a time. At last the creature
was shot.
A FLYING SERPENT AT NEWCASTLE EMLYN.
The most remarkable story of this kind is the well-known tradition
of the appearance of a gwiber or Flying Serpent in the neighbourhood
of Newcastle Emlyn, in the Vale of Teivi. This interesting small
town boasts of a fine old castle, or at least the ruins of one,
and it was upon the top of this castle the flying serpent or dragon
alighted and rested. According to some, this took place as late as
the eighteenth century, on a fine summer day. The flying creature was
seen about mid-day, and as there was a fair at Newcastle Emlyn that
day the town was crowded with people. The appearance of the "Gwiber"
or dragon terrified the people, both old and young, and they feared
that their lives were in jeopardy. The strange creature's skin was
covered by a hard and stony substance or shell, except the navel. The
people were afraid of attempting to kill this flying monster, and
did not know what to do. Fortunately, a valiant soldier who had
been fighting for his country on land and sea, volunteered to put
an end to the life of this strange and terrific creature, or die
in the attempt. So taking off all his clothes, except his trousers,
he proceeded with his gun in hand and stood right in the river. He
then took a good aim at the creature's navel which was the only part
of its body not covered with shell. As soon as the soldier fired,
in order to escape an attack from the flying serpent, he left a red
flannel on the surface of the water, whilst he himself dived into
the river and, at last, by swimming against the current, succeeded
to land safely on the bank on the other side. The serpent fell or
rushed into the river and began to attack the red flannel, but it
was soon discovered that the creature had been mortally wounded,
for the water of the river was coloured with its blood.
A version of this story appeared in "Y Brython," fifty years ago,
and another version of it written by the Rev. W. Eilir Evans, appeared
in a Welsh book called "Hirnos Gauaf," published in 1899.
CATTLE.
Many of the farmers are very much perturbed when a cow brings forth
two calves. A few years ago a farmer's wife in the parish of Llangybi,
near Lampeter, informed me that one of the cows had twin calves, and
that she was very anxious to sell the animal as soon as possible, as
such an incident was considered an omen of ill-luck or a very great
misfortune to the family or the owner. This superstition is very
general in Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire; but I have heard that
in some parts of North Wales a contrary view is taken of such an event.
When the first calf of the season happens to be a male one, it is
a sign of a successful year to its owner, but the contrary, if the
calf is a she one.
If the new born calf is seen by the mistress of the house with its
head towards her, as she enters the cowhouse to view her new charge
and property, it is a good omen. It is also considered a good sign to
find the cattle wild and difficult to manage on the way to the fair;
for you'll sell them to your advantage.
THE MILK-WHITE MILCH COW.
The milk-white Milch Cow gave enough of milk to every one who desired
it; and however frequently milked, or by whatever number of persons,
she was never found deficient. All persons who drank of her milk,
were healed of every illness; from being fools they became wise, and
from being wicked, became happy. The cow went round the world; and
wherever she appeared, she filled with milk all the vessels that could
be found; leaving calves behind her for all the wise and happy. It was
from her that all the milch cows in the world were obtained. After
traversing the Island of Britain, for the benefit and blessing of
country and kindred, she reached the Vale of Towy; where, tempted by
fine appearance and superior condition, the natives sought to kill and
eat her; but just as they were proceeding to effect their purpose,
she vanished from between their hands, and was never seen again. A
house still remains in the locality, called Y Fuwch Laethwen-Lefrith,
(the Milk-white Milch Cow).--Iolo M.S.S., page 475.
There is a version of this well-known legend of the mythic cow,
located near Aberdovey. According to the Aberdovey tale, the cow
was of Fairy origin, and disappeared into Barfog Lake when a farmer
attempted to slaughter the animal.
THE ASS.
I was told when a boy that the stripe over the shoulders of this
animal was made by our Lord when He rode to Jerusalem.