Mari Lwyd Revival Christmas 2025 

The Mari Lwyd is one of Wales’ most haunting and beloved midwinter traditions, and last Christmas 2025 it found new life through a striking piece created by Kidwelly crafting artist Non Davies. Whether described as a new artistic creation or a revival of ancient custom, her Mari Lwyd captures the spirit of a figure that has wandered Welsh doorsteps for centuries.

Traditionally, the Mari Lwyd consists of a decorated horse’s skull mounted on a pole, draped in a white sheet and adorned with ribbons and bells. Animated by a hidden performer who snaps its jaw, the Grey Mare leads a group of singers from house to house during the Christmas and New Year season. At each stop, they engage in pwnco—a spirited exchange of improvised rhyming verses—before finally being granted entry to share food and drink, bringing good fortune for the year ahead.

The origins of the Mari Lwyd remain layered in mystery. In some circles, the tradition is considered to be part of a pre-Christian Celtic horse ceremony, reflecting the powerful symbolism of the horse in early Welsh culture. Others connect it to later wassailing customs. Whatever its beginnings, the custom declined during the 19th and early 20th centuries before being revived in communities such as Llangynwydd, Chepstow and Cardiff. 

Non Davies’ 2025 Mari Lwyd stands within this living tradition — not merely as a decorative artwork, but as a continuation of a cultural practice that bridges past and present. In reimagining the Grey Mare, she contributes to an enduring Welsh ritual that is at once eerie, celebratory, and deeply rooted in the landscape and folklore of Wales.

A little about Non…

Non is a self-taught crafting artist whose creativity is deeply rooted in family, tradition, and the rich heritage of her community.

From an early age, Non was fortunate to spend precious time with her exceptionally talented grandmother, who first introduced her to sewing and a wide variety of traditional crafts. Those moments together sparked a lifelong love of making and creating by hand. What began as learning simple stitches grew into a passion for craftsmanship that continues to define her artistic journey.

Her creative path was further nurtured during her school years under the guidance of Mr. Williams at Burry Port Secondary Modern, as it was known then. There, she developed confidence in her artistic abilities and a deeper appreciation for the arts.

Non’s story is woven into the history of her family and local community. Her grandfather worked in the quarry in Mynydd y Garreg, while another grandfather in Kidwelly was a skilled carpenter in the brick yard. Craftsmanship clearly runs in the family — from stone and wood to fabric and thread. Her father worked in the optical profession, adding another layer of precision and skill to the family’s legacy.

Today, Non lives in the little bungalow on Ferry Road — a home lovingly built by her grandfather. Surrounded by memories, history, and generations of hard work and creativity, she continues to honour her family’s legacy through her craft.

For Non, art is more than a hobby; it is a connection to her roots, her upbringing, and the hands that taught her to create. Her work carries not only skill, but story — stitched with heritage, resilience, and love.

Images: Mari Lwyd at the Masons Arms Kidwelly, Artist Non Davies with Mari Lwyd creation