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| Abbreviation | Gorsedd |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1792 (1792) |
| Founder | Iolo Morganwg |
| Type | Welsh culture Celtic Revival |
| Headquarters | Wales |
| Website | gorsedd.org |
A gorsedd (/ˈɡɔːrsɛð/, plural gorseddau) is a community or meeting of modern-day bards. The word is of Welsh origin, meaning "throne". It is often spelled gorsedh in Cornwall and goursez in Brittany, reflecting the spellings in the Cornish and Breton languages, respectively.
When the term is used without qualification, it usually refers to the national Gorsedd of Wales, namely Gorsedd Cymru. However, other gorseddau exist, such as the Cornish Gorsedh Kernow, the Breton Goursez Vreizh and Gorsedd y Wladfa, in the Welsh Settlement in Patagonia.
Purpose
Gorseddau exist to promote literary scholarship and the creation of poetry and music. As part of this, their most visible activity can be seen at Eisteddfodau – Welsh language festivals.
History
Gorsedd Cymru was originally founded as Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain in 1792 by Edward Williams, commonly known as Iolo Morganwg, who also invented much of its ritual, supposedly based on the activities of the ancient Celtic Druidry. Nowadays, much of its ritual has Christian influence, and were given further embellishment in the 1930s by Archdruid Cynan (1950–1954). The Gorsedd made its first appearance at an Eisteddfod at the Ivy Bush Inn in Carmarthen in 1819, and its close association with the Festival has remained. It is an association of poets, writers, musicians, artists and individuals who have made a significant and distinguished contribution to Welsh language, literature, and culture.
The fictitious origin of these ceremonies was established by Professor G.J.Williams in works touching on Iolo Morganwg.
Symbolism
The symbol commonly used to represent a Gorsedd is a triple line, the middle line upright and the outer two slanted towards the top of the centre, thus: /|\. This symbol, called "awen", is often explained as representing the sun. The word "awen" means "muse" in Welsh.
See also
- Archdruid (includes a chronological list of Archdruids)
- Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain (Welsh Gorsedd)
- Gorsedh Kernow (Cornish Gorsedd)
- Goursez Vreizh (Breton Gorsedd)
- Gorsedd stones
- Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
- Oireachtas na Gaeilge
- Mòd
References
- Byrth Gorseth Kernow – The Gorseth of the Bards of Cornwall
- Home
- E. Wyn James, ‘Identity, Immigration, and Assimilation: The Case of the Welsh Settlement in Patagonia’, Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 24 (2018), 76-87. ISSN 0959-3632.
- Hanes Gorsedd y Beirdd Geraint & Zonia Bowen; Barddas 1991
- Gorsedd y Beridd Archived 2010-07-25 at the Wayback Machine – Hanes (History). Accessed 5 December 2009. Welsh language page only.
- Traddodiad Llenyddol Morgannwg, 1948
- Barddas of Iolo Morganwg, Vol I – The Sacred Symbol
- Gorseth Kernow – The Gorseth of Cornwall: Ceremonies and Regalia Archived 2010-02-06 at the Wayback Machine
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