St Dwynwen’s Day (or Dydd Santes Dwynwen in Welsh) takes place every year on the 25th of January as is often referred to as Welsh St Valentines Day. Named after Saint Dwynwen, is the day to celebrate love and those close to our hearts.
Saint Dwynwen was 5th century princess, the youngest and most beautiful of King Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 daughters. The tale of her life has been handed down through generations in the form of poems and songs, leading to several versions of her story. The most popular one, and probably the saddest, was the one about the impossible love between Dwynwen and Maelon Dafodrill.
Dwynwen fell for Maelon but her father had different plans for his daughter and arranged for the marriage with some other suitor. Heartbroken princess fled to the woods and prayed to God. An angel appeared and gave her sweet potion that was meant to help her forget about Maelon. The moment she drank it, her beloved was turned into a block of ice.
God then, seeing her devotion, granted Dwynwen three wishes. The first was for Maelon to be thawed, the second was for God to help all true lovers and the third was for her to never marry.
As a way of thanking God for granting Dwynwen’s wishes, she dedicated her life to him and became a nun. Dwynwen retreated to North Wales and set up a convent on Ynys Llandwyn, little tidal island off Anglesey. She never married and dedicated her life praying for lovers, so they could have better luck than she did. Dwynwen’s name means ‘she who leads a blessed life’.
Welsh celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day by exchanging cards, gifts (often traditional Welsh lovespoons) and spending time with they loved ones. They often visit Ynys Llanddwyn, where you can find the remains of St Dwynwen’s church.
Outdoors with Karolina 