Hellhounds appear throughout European legend. They feature particularly strongly in Welsh and Arthurian myth as the Cŵn Annwn, a pair or pack of large black dogs from the otherworld, taking part in Arthur’s wild hunt, helping fulfil strange adventures, or accompanying the king of the Tylwyth Teg across Welsh battlefields, collecting ancient britons in a similar manner to Nordic Valkyries. They appear again in later stories, accompanying Culhwch to Arthur's court to ask for aid, and then - in a vague but brilliant myth - stalking the dark hills with Mallt-y-Nos (Matilda of the Night), heralding death as the 'Hounds of the Mothers'. Their growling and barking was said to be loudest at a distance, growing softer and gentle as they reached the unfortunate home. For all their growling and darkness their function in welsh myth is strictly loyalty or assistance. They portend death but are not the cause of it, they accompany kings and heroes and provide mystical help, and when times turn darker they escort the dead away as a mercy not a punishment. Post-roman christianity rebranded them with the name hellhound, or dogs of the devil. Casting them as flaming monsters that serve the church by dragging the unbaptised to hell and rending the unworthy apart in the afterlife. Digital download for a tattoo or home print. In response to frequent emails, yes, we love seeing our work as well-finished tattoos. Go for it. But purchase the high rez image to give your tattoo artist. No good work ever came out of a fuzzy screen shot. This purchase provides you with a high resolution A4 image in JPG format and entitles you to use the artwork as a tattoo (single usage rights, as a tattoo or home print only). No refunds are possible so be sure before you purchase. This is an automated digital download. Always give your tattoo artist the highest resolution image possible… no good work ever came from a blurry screenshot …and be aware they may want to adapt the image to achieve the best clarity and fit for your purpose. Trust your professional. All digital images are copyright Matthew Britton Illustration Ltd. they may not be transferred or resold. If you are happy to post your tattoos publicly remember to tag/credit us so we can see the finished piece! Thankyou for supporting our artwork.