It probably goes without saying that although Mari Lwyd now manifests around Christmas and New Year ... but the sardonic grin of the horse skull, sometimes with a spring-loaded jaw, remains ...

A skeletal horse skull does certainly evoke demise ... Whether we choose to approach it head on via the spooky Christmas characters of Europe, or to sugarcoat it with candy canes and gum drops ...

A villager from the town is chosen to parade a horse's skull decorated with ribbons mounted on a pole through the streets on Christmas Eve. A white sheet drapes from the back of the horse's head ...

Don't be alarmed if you meet a caroling horse skull at your door in Wales. From Christmas through early January, the Mari Lwyd tradition sees a decorated horse skull and cloak placed on a stick ...

Some may seem strange, like Welsh winter festivities that often involve a horse's skull, while others might inspire you to travel to experience Christmas on the beach in Australia or witness ...

The Mari Lwyd: Wales’ singing horse skull Wales might win the award for the creepiest Christmas custom. The Mari Lwyd is a centuries-old tradition featuring a horse skull dressed up with ribbons ...

The Mari Lwyd: Wales’ singing horse skull Wales might win the award for the creepiest Christmas custom. The Mari Lwyd is a centuries-old tradition featuring a horse skull dressed up with ribbons ...

The Mari Lwyd, meaning “grey (or pale) mare”, is a Christmas and new year custom in areas of south Wales dating back to the 18th century. A horse’s skull is placed on a pole and covered in a ...