Gorsedd-Stones-Aberdare-Park-by-AberdareBlog

Gorsedd stones () are groups of

standing stone A menhir (; from Brittonic languages: ''maen'' or ''men'', "stone" and ''hir'' or ''hîr'', "long"), standing stone, orthostat, or lith is a large upright rock (geology), stone, emplaced in the ground by humans, typically dating from the Eur ...

s constructed for the

National Eisteddfod of Wales The National Eisteddfod of Wales ( Welsh: ') is the largest of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales. Its eight days of competitions and performances are considered the largest music and poetry festival in Europe. Competito ...

. They form an integral part of the druidic

Gorsedd Gorsedd Cymru (), or simply the Gorsedd (), is a society of Welsh-language poets, writers, musicians and others who have contributed to the Welsh language and to public life in Wales. Its aim is to honour such individuals and help develop and p ...

ceremonies of the Eisteddfod. The stones can be found as commemorative structures throughout Wales and are the hallmark of the National Eisteddfod having visited a community. Each grouping of stones is arranged in a circular formation typically consisting of twelve stone pillars. Sometimes the stones are from the local area and sometimes they represent the Welsh counties, such as at Aberystwyth. A large, flat-topped stone, known as the Logan Stone, lies at the centre of the circle and serves as a platform.

Origins

An early Gorsedd was held by Iolo Morganwg at a location known as the "Rocking Stone" (in Welsh, "Y Maen Chwŷf") at Pentrebach,

Pontypridd Pontypridd ( , ), Colloquialism, colloquially referred to as ''Ponty'', is a town and a Community (Wales), community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales, approximately 10 miles north west of Cardiff city centre. Geography Pontypridd comprises the ...

; Iolo, a stonemason by trade, constructed a stone circle around the central stone. Iolo had already held a similar ceremony in 1792 in London, also featuring a stone circle. It has been suggested that the "Gorse Stone", located on Stanton Moor in Derbyshire, has some connection with similar

Druid A druid was a member of the high-ranking priestly class in ancient Celtic cultures. The druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no wr ...

ic rituals of prehistoric times.

Ceremonial function

As well as commemorating the National Eisteddfod, the Gorsedd stones continue to provide an important ceremonial venue for the proclamation of future National Eisteddfodau, which according to tradition must be completed one year and one day prior to its official opening. The ceremony is conducted by the

Archdruid Archdruid () is the title used by the presiding official of Gorsedd Cymru, the Gorsedd. The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales including the Crowning of the Bard, the award of the and the C ...

of the Gorsedd of Bards, who formally announces the particulars of the proposed venue. During the proceedings the Archdruid stands upon the Logan Stone; facing him, to the east cardinal point, is the Stone of the Covenant where the Herald Bard stands, and behind this are the Portal Stones which are guarded by Eisteddfod officials. The portal stone to the right of the entrance points to midsummer sunrise, while that to the left indicates the midwinter sunrise.

References

External links

National Eisteddfod Festival website
in Welsh an
English

Some Pictures

{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034129/http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/celynog/modern_circles.htm , date=23 September 2006 Stone monuments and memorials Druidry Eisteddfod Monuments and memorials in Wales Public art in Wales