St Dwynwen’s Day

St. Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated all over Wales on the 25th January each year. The Welsh patron saint of lover’s, St Dwynwen’s name translates as “she who leads a blessed life”.

Legend has it that St Dwynwen was the prettiest of king Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 (how many!?) daughters. She fell in love with a prince, Maelon Dafodrill, but was devastated to find that her father had promised her to another man.

In her bid to fall out of love, she prayed to god. Then, in her sleep, she was sent an angel carrying a potion that would turn Maelon into a block of ice and erase her memories of him.

God allowed her three wishes:
that Maelon be thawed,
that god should meet the hopes & dreams of all lovers
that she should never marry

Her wishes were all fulfilled and, in thanks, Dwynwen devoted her life to god. She set up a convent, the remains of which can still be seen on the island of Llanddwyn, off the west coast of Anglesey. There’s a well there too, if the sacred fish are active apparently that’s the sign of a faithful husband!

So there you have it – the 5th century story of St. Dwynwen and her lover, beats Eastenders right!?

Have a fantastic day, give your loved one a big Cwtch!

Essential welsh phrases to learn for St Dywnwen’s day:

Dydd santes dwynwen hapus – happy St Dywnwen’s day
Dwi’n dy garu di – I love you
Ti a fi am byth – you and me forever