The Serpent Stone of Welsh Mythology
Glain Nadredd Serpent Stone
Glain Nadredd the Serpent Stone of Celtic mythology
The Serpent Stone, Glain Nadredd from the Mabinogion is an oil on canvas, 36 inches by 48 inches,.
This picture is dedicated to Arthur Machen and his novell The White People.
Glain Nadredd, or the Serpent Stone, is a fascinating artifact in Welsh mythology. According to legend, these magical stones were believed to form from the mysterious union of snakes, especially during springtime. However, their creation was considered particularly auspicious on May Eve.
The stones were said to be produced from the saliva of intertwined serpents and were reputed to possess powerful magical properties. Much like mystical mirrors, Glain Nadredd were thought to serve as gateways to the spirit world.
The mystical qualities of such stones appear in the tales of the Mabinogion, the renowned collection of medieval Welsh stories. In one tale, the hero Peredur receives a magical stone, enabling him to see and slay the Addanc—a monstrous, invisible water creature.
A similar motif appears in the story of Owain. After marrying the Lady of the Fountain, Owain finds himself trapped in a castle. Here, a maiden gifts him a magical stone, which grants him invisibility and the means to escape his confinement.