The Holly King is a speculative archetype of modern studies of folklore and
mythology which has been popularized in some Neopagan religions. In his
book The White Goddess, the author Robert Graves proposed that the
mythological figure of the Holly King represents one half of the year,
while the other is personified by his counterpart/adversary the Oak
King: the two battle endlessly as the seasons turn.
At Midsummer the Oak King is at the height of his strength, while the
Holly King is at his weakest. The Holly King begins to regain his power,
and at the Autumn Equinox, the tables finally turn in the Holly King's
favour; he later vanquishes the Oak King at Yule. Graves identified a
number of paired hero-figures which he believes are variants of this
myth, including Lleu Llaw Gyffes and Gronw Pebr, Gwyn and Gwythr, Lugh
and Balor, Balan and Balin, Gawain and the Green Knight, the robin and
the wren.
Friday, December 28, 2012
The Holly King
The Holly King is a speculative archetype of modern studies of folklore and
mythology which has been popularized in some Neopagan religions. In his
book The White Goddess, the author Robert Graves proposed that the
mythological figure of the Holly King represents one half of the year,
while the other is personified by his counterpart/adversary the Oak
King: the two battle endlessly as the seasons turn.
At Midsummer the Oak King is at the height of his strength, while the
Holly King is at his weakest. The Holly King begins to regain his power,
and at the Autumn Equinox, the tables finally turn in the Holly King's
favour; he later vanquishes the Oak King at Yule. Graves identified a
number of paired hero-figures which he believes are variants of this
myth, including Lleu Llaw Gyffes and Gronw Pebr, Gwyn and Gwythr, Lugh
and Balor, Balan and Balin, Gawain and the Green Knight, the robin and
the wren.
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