The Story Behind Welsh Valentines Day
A day dedicated to love and lovers, derived from a tale of loss, heartbreak and loneliness.
January 25th marks St Dwynwen’s Day/Dydd Santes Dwynwen – the Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s day. The day is celebrated in the same way as the international holiday, with couples showing their love for one another through handwritten cards, sending gifts, or showing their token of love by gifting a traditional Welsh love spoon.
Although the day is a celebration of love and happiness, it’s history is very much one without it.
The day is named after the 4th century Princess, Dwynwen, who was known to be the prettiest of King Brychan’s many daughters.
According to the tale, St Dwynwen fell in love with a local gentleman named Maelon, but her father had already arranged for her to marry someone else. Maelon didn’t take the news very well and declared never to see Dwynwen again.
Heartbroken and distraught, Dwynwen ran away and begged God to rid her of the love she felt for Maelon. An angel soon appeared with a bottle of potion to erase the memories she had of the man she was forbidden to marry, however, the concoction also turned Maelon into a block of ice.
Three wishes were granted to Dwynwen – she selflessly used one of them to thaw Maelon. For her final two wishes, she wished for God to protect all true lovers, and for her to never fall in love again.
From then on, The Welsh Patron Saint of Love decided to live as a nun and spend the rest of her life travelling Wales, while praying for others to find the love she was ultimately deprived of.
St Dwynwen eventually retreated to Ynys Llanddwyn up until her death in the year of 465AC.
You can visit Santes Dwynwen’s final stop on the island of Llanddwyn, Anglesey, where the remains of Dwynwen’s church sits upon the island with a Celtic cross that commemorates her death.
A holy well was also dedicated to Dwynwen after her death, and it is believed to be the home of sacred fish/eels that can predict the outcome of a couples relationship.
Ynys Llanddwyn is a National Nature Reserve with plenty of walking trials and stopping points for you to look up and admire the stars… a perfect date idea for the next Dydd Santes Dwynwen.
