The Legend of the Cyhyraeth
Cyhyraeth: A disembodied voice that predicts death
The Legend of the Cyhyraeth
The Cyhyraeth (pronounced 'cuh-huh-raith') is a ghostly spirit or apparition that is part of Welsh mythology and folklore. It is described as a disembodied moaning or wailing voice that is heard before the death of a person.
In Welsh, "cyhyraeth" roughly translates to "wailing" or "lamentation." It is believed to be an omen or harbinger of death, and its appearance is often associated with impending doom or tragedy.
The Cyhyraeth is usually invisible, but its mournful cries or groans can be heard at night or in desolate places, foretelling the death of someone in the community. The Cyhyraeth is said to be an otherworldly being, sometimes associated with the fairy realm or the afterlife, and its cries are considered eerie and unsettling.
Some believe that those who hear the Cyhyraeth's cries are doomed to suffer misfortune or even death themselves, unless they take precautions or perform certain rituals to ward off the spirit.
The legend of Cyhyraeth has been passed down through generations in Welsh folklore, and it continues to be a part of the rich cultural heritage of Wales. It is often used in stories, poems, and songs as a supernatural entity that serves as a warning of impending death and a reminder of the mysteries of the afterlife.
Despite its eerie reputation, Cyhyraeth remains a fascinating aspect of Welsh mythology and a unique piece of folklore that reflects the beliefs and superstitions of the Welsh people. So, if you hear a mournful voice in the night in Wales, you might want to take heed, as it could be the Cyhyraeth foretelling an unfortunate event.
The Cyhyraeth and the Gwrach-y-Rhibyn
The legend of the Cyhyraeth is sometimes conflated with the tales of the Gwrach-y-Rhibyn, also known as the Hag of the Mist, a monstrous spirit in Welsh mythology that takes the form of an extremely ugly woman. In Welsh folklore, there is a saying that describes an unattractive woman as "Y mae mor salw â Gwrach y Rhibyn" (she is as ugly as the Gwrach y Rhibyn).
The Hag of the Mist is depicted with harpy-like features, including disheveled hair, withered arms with leathery wings, long black teeth, and corpse-like pale features. She is believed to approach the window of a person who is about to die at night, calling their name, or she travels invisibly beside them and cries out when they approach a stream or crossroads.
She is heard wailing and shrieking "Fy ngŵr, fy ngŵr!" (My husband! My husband!) or "Fy mhlentyn, fy mhlentyn bach!" (My child! My little child!), though she can also assume a male voice and cry "Fy ngwraig! Fy ngwraig!" (My wife! My wife!).
There is speculation that the Gwrach-y-Rhibyn may have been a water deity or an aspect of the Welsh goddess Dôn. In some retellings of the Taliesin myth, she is depicted as the wife of Afagddu, the despised son of Ceridwen and Tegid Foel.
She is described as invisible, but sometimes she can be seen at crossroads or streams when the mist rises, and her "shrill tenor" voice is said to announce the impending death of someone.
Have you ever encountered a Cyhyraeth? Tell us about it in the comments.
If you enjoyed learning about the Cyhyraeth you might also be interested in the story of the Irish Banshee or the Sluagh.
