Hafgan
HAV-gan
Welsh: "Summer-White"?

In The Mabinogion, a ruler of Annwfn and enemy of Arawn. When Pwyll foolishly chased the White Hart and fought Arawn's Cwn Annwn, he was forced to take Arawn's place against Hafgan in a move which may have had an influence on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, for the only way to defeat Hafgan was to behead him. This Pwyll did, winning Arawn's trust.

There is some speculation as to why the enemy would be named "summer white"--the story could be a seasonal myth, such as the medieval battle between the Oak King and Holly King, with Arawn as the Holly King.


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Mary Jones © 2003