Saint Dwynwen Day

The Saint Dwynwen Day, celebrated on January 25, is the Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day. On 25 January, people in Wales observe the feast day of Santes Dwynwen, the saint of love.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Day

Dydd Santes Dwynwen (lived in fifth century) was the daughter of the then King of Wales. She met Prince Maelon and fell in love. However, her father had chosen a groom already. Enraged, Maelon raped Dwynwen. Devastated, Dwynwen fled to the forest and begged God to erase Maelon’s memories from her mind.

Then, an angel visited Dwynwen, carrying a magic potion that made Dwynwen forget Maelon, who became a block of ice. Then, the angel granted three wishes to Dwynwen. She wished that she would:

• never marry
• become God’ medium to fulfill the dreams and hopes of true lovers
• unfreeze Maelon

Then, Dwynwen settled on the Llanddwyn Island and became a nun. Here, she built a Church, called Llanddwynwen (the Church of Dwynwen) before she died a natural death in 460AD. After that, she was given the honour of a saint.

Church of Santes Dwynwen: Beliefs

• Young lovers visit this church as a pilgrimage to seek assurance of their togetherness in future.
• It is believed that the well next to the church housed a sacred fish (an eel). The movement of the fish indicated the future of lovers.
• Women sprinkled bread into the well, placing a handkerchief on the surface. If the eel disturbed the surface, it indicated that the husband was faithful.
• Traditionally, young men carved Welsh lovespoons (date back to the seventeenth century) from one piece of wood, decorating the handle with love symbols and gave it to their beloved.