Llyn y Fan Fach

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Llyn y Fan Fach

Location	Brecon Beacons National Park, Carmarthenshire
Lake type	reservoir
Primary outflows	Sawdde
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Max. depth	29 m
Surface elevation	506 m

Llyn y Fan Fach (Welsh meaning Lake of the small beacon-hill) is located in the eastern border of the Black Mountain (Brecon Beacons National Park) in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. Near to it is found Llyn y Fan Fawr.

[edit] Legend of Llyn y Fan Fach

A folklore legend is connected with the lake. In the folk tale, a local young man, son of a widow from Blaen Sawdde (near Llanddeusant) agreed to marry a beautiful girl who arose from the lake, on the condition that he would not hit her three times. He complied easily because the girl was so beautiful, and they were happy for years putting up a house in Esgair Llaethdy near Myddfai, and bringing up a family there. The girl had very special cattle and other animals. But over time the man did hit his wife three times, and she had to go back to the lake according to the promise, taking the cattle with her. But the mother came back to them to help and instruct her children, and in particular one called Rhiwallon (in some versions Rhiwallon is the name of the young man who marries the fairy girl). In due course Rhiwallon and the other sons went to the court of Rhys Gryg from Deheubarth where they became famous doctors that are known today as the Physicians of Myddfai. A number of their medical formulas remain in the Welsh manuscripts.

It is probable that the "Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach" was originally a Celtic goddess. Some elements in the story also relate to Welsh traditions of the fairies (or Tylwyth Teg in Welsh).