Awen
- Awen is also an alternate name for the Xavante.
Awen is a Welsh word historically used to describe the divine inspiration of gifted bards in Welsh legend, and sometimes ascribed to musicians and poets today. The British Druid Order notes that "[t]he first recorded reference to Awen occurs in Nennius' Historia Brittonum, a Latin text of circa 796 CE, based on earlier writings by the Welsh monk, Gildas." [1] This source also describes the etymology of the term:
- The feminine noun, Awen, has been variously translated as 'inspiration', 'muse', 'genius', or even 'poetic frenzy'.
'Awen'derives from the indo-european root *- uel, meaning 'to blow', and is the same root as the Welsh word 'Awel' meaning 'breeze'. Awen is the breath of inspiration, wind of the spirit,or breath of the divine which gives inspiration. There is a parallel word to 'awen' in Irish, 'ai', also meaning 'poetic inspiration' which derives from the same ancient root.
see: Jarman, A.o.H 'A guide to Welsh literature, Vol. 1, chapter 1, by Lewis, for an easy explanation,. Also Calvert-Watkins 'indo-eurpopean metrics and archaic irish verse', for a complex one, or Ford, p.k 'the Celtic Poets: songs and tales from early Ireland and Wales'; introduction, pxxvii. (anon.)
Many different modern groups have their own interpretation of the Awen. The three lines relate to earth, sea and air; body, mind and spirit; or love, wisdom and truth. It is also said that the Awen stands for not simply inspiration, but for inspiration of truth; without Awen one cannot proclaim truth. The three foundations of Awen are the understanding of truth, the love of truth, and the maintaining of truth. The rays also stand for the letters from which all others evolved: I, O, and U. It is said, "No one without Awen from God can pronounce these three letters correctly."
The term is symbolized by an emblem showing three straight lines that spread apart as they move downward, drawn within a circle or a series of circles of varying thickness, often with a dot atop each line.
The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff has two lines of poetry emblazoned across its frontage. The line in Welsh is "Creu gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen": "creating truth like glass from a furnace of inspiration".
Awen is also a feminine given name in Welsh culture.
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