Arianrhod is one of the figures in the Mabinogi, a collection of stories from medieval Wales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though these stories cast their protagonists as humans, they may have originated as deities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scholars are divided over whether the heroes and heroines of the Mabinogi were originally gods and goddesses, or became syncretized with older Celtic deities over time. Today, many modern Pagans view Arianrhod as a lunar goddess in her own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The name Arianrhod translates to “silver wheel,” most likely through the Prot-Celtic “Arganto” and “Rota,” meaning “silver” and “wheel.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arianrhod’s primary role is in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi. There, her uncle Math fab Mathonwy was fated to die if he couldn’t keep his feet in the lap of a virgin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of his nephews, Gilfaethwy, lusted after Goewin, the virgin who held Math’s feet. Gilfaethwy and his brother create a diversion by engineering a war with the kingdom of Dyfed, forcing Math to leave his court and leave Goewin behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Math gone, Gilfaethwy assaults Goewin. Math is infuriated and punishes the brothers by turning them into various pairs of male and female animals. To protect Goewin’s honor, he marries her. There’s just one problem — he still needs a virgin to hold his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where Arianrhod comes in. She’s put forth as a potential footholder, and Math tests her virginity by having her step over a magician’s wand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon doing this, she gives birth to a young boy. Ashamed, she turns to leave. As she does so, a small object falls from her. Math spots it and scoops it up, sealing it in a chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The small object eventually grows into a young boy. Math brings him to meet his mother, Arianrhod, but she’s still angry. She places a kind of taboo or curse (called a tynged) on the boy, saying that he will never have a name unless it comes from her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n