The Mari Lwyd is one of the more unusual winter customs found in Wales, sometimes described as a travelling pub crawl. The name translates as “Grey Mare,” and the tradition involves a decorated horse’s skull fixed to a pole, carried by a group of singers visiting houses during the festive period. They would knock and begin a pwnco, a singing contest where verses were traded until the group was invited in. Once inside, they were rewarded with food and drink while the Mari brought a bit of theatrical chaos to the room. This design captures the tradition in a bold graphic style, using clear outlines and simple shapes. A lively graphic inspired by a well-known Welsh winter custom.
