The cauldron is one of the oldest Celtic symbols, and has come down to us over the centuries in various forms. The best known cauldron story comes from Wales and concerns the great bard, Taliesin, and how he came to be.

The goddess Cerridwen had a magical cauldron, which was stirred by a boy named Gwion. One day, Gwion burned his hand in the cauldron and put his hand in his mouth. As soon as his lips touched his burned hand, he was transformed by the cauldron’s magic and acquired all the knowledge in the world in a single instant.

Cerridwen was furious that a servant mother had taken this knowledge and persecuted Gwion, who now had the power to change shape. Gwion transformed into a hare and ran out the door. Cerridwen, being a powerful goddess, also had the power to change shape and transformed into a hound to chase the hare. Before she could catch him, Gwion jumped into a river and turned into a fish. Cerridwen then turned into an otter and went after him once more. Then Gwion turned into a bird and soared into the sky, whereupon Cerridwen became a fierce eagle. Gwion, realizing that no animal form could provide security, tried a different strategy. Seeing a heap of wheat, she turned into a small grain and fell into the heap of wheat. However, Cerridwen, in her eagle form, was able to find him. Transforming into a chicken, she gobbled up the grain, ending the chase.

The story does not end here, however. Nine months later, Cerridwen gave birth to a son. Knowing it was Gwion, reborn, she swore to destroy him once more. However, she did not dare to do this. Instead, she placed the newborn in a leather sack and threw it into the river. The bag was found by a boy named Elffin, who proclaimed that the baby had a shining forehead, which translates as Taliesin. Taliesin began his life by reciting brilliant poetry and became the greatest bard in the world.

Taliesin’s story continues from here of course, but the point here is to focus on the meaning of Cerridwen’s cauldron and how it relates to Taliesin. The cauldron is a symbol of death and rebirth. It can be connected to the Holy Grail of Arthurian legend. We can also see features common to the birth of Taliesin with the biblical figure of Moses, who was also found floating in a river.

We could also compare Gwion’s “theft” of knowledge to Prometheus, who was punished by the gods for bringing mankind the gift of fire. Cerridwen, although a wise and powerful goddess, is also jealous and protective of her magical cauldron. However, we can also see that she is necessary and instrumental in the process, as she gives birth to Taliesin and allows him to live.

The cauldron is one of the most profound Celtic symbols with many esoteric meanings. At the most basic level, the point of this and similar tales seems to be that in order to gain knowledge or understanding it is necessary to “die” or at least give up one’s former form, such as Gwion, who first transforms into various animals and finally into the great Taliesin.