Mari Lwyd is a wassailing custom which was common in the villages of South Wales during Christmas, New Years, or Twelfth Night.   It nearly died out in the mid-twentieth century, but has been revived by folk clubs and the Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagan’s.

        The custom of Mari Lwyd embodies images of death and rebirth, old bones and fertility, hunger and plenty, begging and generosity.   It takes place at the turning of the year, when hope and new light are reborn from midwinter darkness.

        The Mari Lwyd is a horse’s head, of bone, wood, or paper mache, which is set on a pole, covered with a white sheet, and decorated with ribbons.   It was worn by a man and accompanied by a group of singers (sometimes also in costumes, similar to a mummers play).   They would sing at the door of pubs or homes, demanding entry.   The folks inside would reply with verses of their own, in a fun and often insulting battle of wits.   Once admitted, the Mari Lwyd would bite and tease the inhabitants, demand food and drink, and create much merriment.   A visit from the Mari Lwyd was believed to bring fertility and prosperity to the inhabitants.

        There is much speculation about the history and symbolism of this strange custom.   Some suggest that it originated in the Middle Ages as a pageant in honor of Mary.   (But why would anyone honor Mary with a horse’s skull?)

        Others believe that the Mari Lwyd is a remnant of an ancient Celtic fertility custom.   There is a similar white mare in Irish legend, the Láir Bhán, which appeared at Samhuin.   (Samhuin marked the turning of the old year in the ancient Celtic calendar, and evolved into Halloween).   On the Isle of Man, the Laare Vane appeared at harvest and Twelfth Night.   Other aspects of an ancient horse goddess appear in legends of Macha in Ireland and Rhiannon in Wales, and in figures of Epona from Gaul.

        There are similar hooded horses and “Hoodening” customs in Kent during the Christmas season.   A white horse also appears in the Soul Caking customs of Cheshire at Halloween.   Both Hoodening and Soul Caking contain themes of death and resurrection.

        So at least at the symbolic level, and perhaps at the historic level, there is a common thread of imagery at this time of darkness in midwinter: wandering white horses, bones and rebirth, hunger and plenty, exclusion and welcome, a crossing of the bounds of propriety and a renewal of community.   The mysterious custom of Mari Lwyd itself nearly died, but has been reborn ... just another turning of the wheel.

        For more information on the Mari Lwyd
(y Fari Lwyd) see URL address :
http://www.folkwales.org.uk/mari.html