The ‘Welsh Valentines’ day
In Wales we have celebrated St Dwnwen’s Day for some time understanding her to be the Welsh patron Saint of true love, a wonderful occasion where we come together to tell each other the love that we hold for them, be it in cards or in person (understandably more so in cards this year).
But where did it all come from?
Who is this person of true love and what did the sacrifice to get such a title?
St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron of sweethearts, which makes her what might be compared to St Valentine.
Dwynwen lived during the fifth century and was the prettiest daughter of the Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 girls.
Dwynwen became hopelessly enamored with a sovereign named Maelon Dafodrill, however her father had arranged her hand to someone else.
Dwynwen was devastated she was unable to wed her ‘true love’ Maelon that she asked God to make her forget him. Once she had falled asleep Dwynwen was visited by a holy messenger, who showed up conveying a sweet mixture intended to eradicate all memory of Maelon and transform him into a block of ice.
God at that point gave three wishes to Dwynwen. Her first desire was that Maelon be defrosted; her second that God meet the deepest desires of genuine darlings; and third, that she ought to never wed. Every one of the three were granted, and as a sign of her much obliged, Dwynwen gave herself to God’s services for the remainder of her life.
She established a convent on Llanddwyn, off the west shore of Anglesey, where a well named after her turned into a pilgrimage after her passing in 465AD. Guests to the well beleived that it contained sacred fish or eels that lived here could foresee whether their relationship would be happy and whether love and joy would be theirs. Remains of Dwynwen’s church can still be seen today.
So don’t forget to tell your welsh loves ‘dwi’n dy garu di’ (i love you) today.