Awen

Awen is a Welsh,[1] Cornish and Breton word for "inspiration" (and typically poetic inspiration).

In Welsh mythology, awen is the inspiration of the poets, or bards; its personification, Awen is the inspirational muse of creative artists in general. The inspired individual (often a poet or a soothsayer) is an awenydd.

In current usage, awen is sometimes ascribed to musicians and poets. Awen also occurs as a female given name.

The word appears in the third stanza of "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau", the national anthem of Wales.[2]

  1. ^ "Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru". www.geiriadur.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Welsh National Anthem". Wales website. Welsh Government. 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.