Most books associate the Welsh god Beli with the Irish god Bile (Squire, 1997: 120). The root "bel," which is expressed in both names, literally means "to die" (ibid.). This root word can also be seen in the names of other deities such as Balor of the Fomorii whose glance was death to the beholder (ibid.). At the same time, however, the Irish word bile refers to a "sacred tree" (Green, 1992: 43).

In Welsh, Beli means "big" or "bright" (MacKillop, 1998: 35). He is often referred to as Beli Mawr or Beli the Great (ibid.). Historically, he is identified with Beli ab Elfin (ibid.) and Beli the Great son of Mynogan (Gantz, 1976: 129). Beli is accredited with being the husband of Don and the father of Arianrhod and Caswallan (MacKillop: 35). However, the Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys states that his sons were Lludd and Llefelys (ibid.). Lludd is said to have succeeded his father and became famous for his skills with architecture (Squire, 1997: 376). The Mabinogion states that he Beli had four sons: Lludd, Casswallawn, Nynnyaw, and Llevelys (Gantz: 129). In the Historia Brittonium, Beli is found under his Latinized name of Bellinus filius Minocanni (Maeir, 1997: 35).

In Irish, Bile is given the meaning of "scion," "hero," and "noble warrior" (MacKillop, 1998: 37). During the 19th century, Celticists John Rhys and M. H. d'Arbois de Jubainville both asserted that the Irish god Bile was a deity associated with death, darkness, and the underworld (ibid.) However, this opinion is not shared with contemporary scholars. The Lebor Gabala states that Bile was one of the leaders of the Milesians who traveled to Ireland to avenge the death of his son, Ith, and was finally drowned in a storm which was summoned by a druid (ibid.).

Beyond these things, little is known about these deities. Yet, it can be safely affirmed that they share certain linguistic commonalties and societal positions which are held in common between Welsh and Irish culture.

Resources

Gantz, Jeffrey. trans. "The Mabinogion." (London: Penguin Books, 1976).

Green, Miranda J. "Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend." (London: Thames and Hudson, 1992).

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

Maier, Bernhard. Cyril Edwards, trans. "Dictionary of Celtic Religion and Culture." (Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Boydell and Brewer, 1997.)

Squire, Charles. "Celtic Myths and Legends." (New York: Portland Hose, 1997).