lafellan:The Mari Lwyd (Y Fari Lwyd) is an extremely old tradition within wales, dating back to at
lafellan: The Mari Lwyd (Y Fari Lwyd) is an extremely old tradition within wales, dating back to at least the middle ages. Derived from worship of pre-christain gods, the horse is representative of the goddess Rhiannon. It is home version of the Saxon wassailing, to bring luck and no deaths within the year. The idea is that, knocking on each door, the Mari and the home owner would recite poetry of eachother called a pwnco. The horse would try to win and if so would be allowed in the house and be given food. If the homeowner won, the horse would give thanks, luck and be on it’s way. The mari lwyd consits of a mare’s skull, carved and decorated along with the eye sockets filled. Sometimes lights and sweet smelling herbs are placed inside to make it seem less frightening to the children. The man or women holding it is covered in a white cloth with ribbon or coloured cloth handing for the wind to pick up. -- source link