By: Aisling Bronach of House Shadow Drake

Vindos, known also as Vindos maq Noudons, later became Gwynn ap Nudd, the king of the underground kingdom of Annwn and the leader of the Wild Hunt. He rides forth at night accompanied by the pale Cwn Annwn, a pack of Otherworld hunting dogs, and bears the dying souls away to Tor at Glastonbury.

There are several examples of the Romano-Celtic God Vindos maq Noudons which can be easily referenced within texts. Most deal with the root "vin" which means "light" or "white." This term can also be seen within the Welsh deity by the name Gwynn ap Nudd and the Irish Fionn mac Cumhaill. Thus, one can easily see the relationship between the Irish Nuada with the Welsh Nudd, and the Gaulish Noudons. Notably, Fionn mac Cumhaill's grandfather was the Nuada, however because of a matrilineal nature of the culture he took the name from his mother's side.

Illustrated below are four examples of this same deity: Apollo Vindonnus, Silvanus Vintonus, Vindonnus, and Vintonus.

Vindonnus or Vindonus, was a Celtic God who was related to the Greek god Apollo, and was referred to also as Apollo Vindonnus. This was also the Gaulish aspect of Apollo seen as Fionn mac Cumhaill which is supported by a linguistic link between the names.. The name Vindonnus translates as "clear light" or "white." He was worshipped at a site coextensive with that of Essarois in Burgaundy which is located in the eastern portion of contemporary France. At this archaeological site were found bronze plaques which depicted eyes. It has been thus suggested by archaeologists that he was attributed with curative powers for various eye diseases.

Vinotonus was also a Romano-Celtic God. He is perhaps best known from four inscriptions on altars which were all found near the Roman fort of Bowes in North Yorkshire, England. Two of these altars were dedicated to Silvanus Vinotonus and the other two to Vintonus. The actual function of the deity is completely unknown, however it is speculated by some to be connected with viticulture or wine making, and by others to be the personification of a local stream.

Resources

MacKillop James. "Dictionary of Celtic Mythology" (NY: Oxford University Press, 1998.) Page 375.

Maier, Bernhard. "Dictionary of Celtic Religion and Culture." Edwards, Cyril. trans. (Rochester, NY: The Boydell Press, 1997.) Page 240.