Llamhigyn y Dŵr, from the United Kingdom: what it is and what people believe

The Llamhigyn y Dŵr is a malevolent being from the folklore of Wales. It is described as a giant frog with bat wings and a stinging tail that leaps across water.

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Giant frog with bat wings and no legs
Long lizard-like tail with a stinger
Jumps across water using its wings
Blamed for snapping fishing lines
Eats livestock and attacks fishermen

What it is

The Llamhigyn y Dŵr is an evil creature from Welsh folklore. It is said to live in swamps and ponds. The being is described as a giant frog. It has bat wings and no legs. A long lizard-like tail ends in a stinger. It uses its wings to jump across the surface of the water. This ability gives it its name. People believe it causes trouble for humans and animals alike.

Where it comes from

This creature belongs to the folklore of Wales. Its name comes from the Welsh language. The term translates directly to 'water leaper'. No specific historical origin or date is recorded for the legend. It remains a part of local myth and story.

Tools and materials

The creature is associated with natural features like swamps and ponds. It uses its bat wings to move over water. Its tail acts as a weapon with a stinger at the end. These physical traits define its nature as a dangerous being.

Llamhigyn y Dŵr, drawn and placed

Emblem With the feather shape. Drawn from this page, not a photograph.

Living
Revived
Fading
Historical
Legendary
Performed

Standing: Legendary Known from myth, story and legend rather than from recorded practice. This says whether people still do it, not whether it works.

A feather: used in cleansing and blessing in some traditions, worn as a sign of office, and carried as a charm.

Lineage: Welsh folklore

Where it sits The tradition it belongs to, and when it is done.

What it is for

It is blamed for various problems. It may snap fishing lines. It is said to eat livestock. It might also attack fishermen. These actions are viewed as harmful by those who hold the belief.

Peoples and places

The Llamhigyn y Dŵr is part of Welsh culture. It is known within the traditions of Wales. The creature serves as a cautionary figure in local stories about dangerous waters.

At a glance: who, where and when

Peoples

Welsh

What people believe

The belief places the creature in wetlands. It is seen as a threat to livelihoods. Fishermen and farmers fear its presence. Its hybrid form combines amphibian and reptilian traits. This makes it a unique monster in the region's mythology.

Questions people ask about Llamhigyn y Dŵr

What is the Llamhigyn y Dŵr?

It is an evil creature from Welsh folklore. It looks like a giant frog with bat wings and a stinging tail. It lives in swamps and ponds.

Where does this creature come from?

It originates from the folklore of Wales. Its name means 'water leaper' in Welsh. It is a legendary being found in local myths.

What does the creature do?

It jumps across water using its wings. It is blamed for harming people and animals. It may snap fishing lines or eat livestock.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Llamhigyn y Dŵr", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Holi: Jitenderasingh, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Salem Witch Trials: unattributed, Public domain, source

Curse: Katsushika Hokusai, Public domain, source

Ceridwen: Chris Denny, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Lilith: Photographs by Ardon Bar Hama, author of original document is unknown., Public domain, source

Each-uisge: John Allan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Llamhigyn y Dŵr