St Dwynwen’s Day, the Welsh celebration of love

St Dwynwen’s Day, the Welsh celebration of love

Named after Dwynwen, the 5th century princess and Welsh patron saint of lovers, St Dwynwens Day is Wales’ equivalent to Valentines Day, and takes place on the 25th January every year.  Behind the celebration of love, however, there is a tragic love story behind Saint Dwynwen. 

Legend has it that Dwynwen was the daughter of King Brycheiniog, who ruled over Breconshire (Brycheiniog) in South Wales.   Dwynwen was one of King Brychans 24 daughters who was supposed to be entering into a marriage arranged for her by her father.  Dwynwen, however had fallen in love with another man, Maelon, and wanted to marry him instead.  Upon finding out that her father would not allow this marriage, Dwynwen ran away to the woods and prayed for Gods help.  It was then that an angel appeared and gave Dwynwen a potion to help her forget her love for Maelon, and the moment she drank it, he turned to ice. 

Dwynwen was then granted three wishes by God, and she used her first wish asking for Maelon to be thawed.  In thanks to God for him granting Dwynwen her wishes, she then dedicated the rest of her life to him and became a nun, retreating to a remote island on the coast of Anglesey.

So, if you are planning to spend the 25th January celebrating your love in Wales, spare a thought for Dwynwen.