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Nissien
A Cymric God: Peaceful
Nissien (Nisien, Nissyen) is a Cymric (Welsh) god known from the Mabinogi of Branwen ferch Llŷr where he is the peace-maker and arbiter to his borther, Efnissien's troublemaker. He is the light half of the eternal cosmic twins. |
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Gaul: Peaceful
Nissien is the son of Euroswyd and Penarddun, brother of Efnissien and half-brother of Bendigaidd Frân and Branwen. He is known from the Mabinogi of Branwen ferch Llŷr where he can be considered as the diplomat brother of and counterpart to the trickster character Efnissien. His name literally means 'peaceful'; just as his brother's name can literally be rendered as 'not-peaceful'. Effectively he is the one who attempts to quell the strife caused by his brother.
The Mabinogi of Branwen ferch Llŷr explicitly describes Nissien as a peace-maker who would cause 'peace between his kindred, and cause his family to be friends when their wrath was at the highest'. Apart from the start of the tale, however, and a single episode where he greets Gwern his own nephew and the son of Branwen and Matholwch the king of Ireland.
Nissien and Efnissien can be considered as an echo of the mythos of the cosmic twins. One dark, causing strife and misfortune, the other light, seeking peace and accommodation.
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