St Dwynwen’s Day – Wales’ Day of Love (Dydd Santes Dwynwen)
St Dwynwen's Day
Celebrating the Patron Saint of Lovers on 25th January ✔️
St Dwynwen’s Day (Dydd Santes Dwynwen) is the Welsh day of love, held annually on 25th January, celebrated as Wales’ traditional version of Valentine’s Day and honouring St Dwynwen, the Patron Saint of Lovers.
Here is a quick overview of Saint Dwynwen, Saint Dwynwen's Day and the Patron Saint for Lovers in Wales.
St Dwynwen's Day – At a Glance
- When: 25th January (every year)
- What: Wales' traditional Day of Love
- Also Known as: Dydd Santes Dwynwen (Welsh)
- Celebration: Expressing love, exchanging cards & gifts
- Key Phrase: Rwy’n dy garu di (“I love you” in Welsh)
Why it matters:
St Dwynwen’s Day celebrates love, Welsh heritage, and culture. It gives couples and communities a meaningful occasion to express affection, celebrate enduring partnerships, and honour a uniquely Welsh legend rooted in faith, tradition, and connection.
How to Say “Happy St Dwynwen’s Day” in Welsh
Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus!
🌹 What is St Dwynwen’s Day?
St Dwynwen’s Day is the Welsh celebration of love held each 25th January. It’s the Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day, rooted in ancient legend and romantic tradition. On this day, people across Wales and Welsh communities worldwide express love and commitment through cards, gifts, and cultural customs.
Celebration Days and Festivals in Wales
Wales is is a distinctive part of the UK with its own rich culture and history, including many special days and festivals celebrated in modern times that are separate from those in England and Scotland. Saint Dwynwen's Day is one of these important days for Welsh people worldwide.
Browse all Special Days in Wales
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🧡 Who Was St Dwynwen?
St Dwynwen was a 5th‑century Welsh princess and the patron saint of lovers. According to legend:
- She was one of the daughters of King Brychan Brycheiniog.
- She fell deeply in love with Maelon Dafodrill, but her father forbade the union.
- Heartbroken, she prayed for relief and was visited by an angel who gave her a potion to erase her sorrow and forgive Maelon.
- God granted her three wishes: that Maelon be thawed, that all true lovers find happiness, and that she never marry — all of which came true.
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She dedicated her life to God, became a nun, and founded a convent on Llanddwyn Island, off Anglesey (Ynys Môn).
Her story remains central to Welsh cultural celebrations of love and romance.
📍 Llanddwyn Island – The Heart of the Legend
Llanddwyn Island, near Newborough on the coast of Anglesey, is the spiritual home of St Dwynwen’s story:
- Ruins of St Dwynwen’s Church: Historic remains tied to her life.
- St Dwynwen’s Well & Crochan (Cauldron): Once sites of romantic pilgrimage.
- St Dwynwen’s Cross: A historic Celtic memorial celebrating love.
Couples and visitors still honour this scenic, historic island as part of Welsh heritage.
- Visitors can explore the ruins of St Dwynwen’s Church and see historic landmarks tied to her life.
- A well named after St Dwynwen was long a place of pilgrimage and romantic rites. Folklore suggests that the activity of fish in the well could predict the fidelity and happiness of lovers.
- Nearby is Crochan Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn’s Cauldron), another well believed to bring love and good luck if its waters boil in a visitor’s presence.
- St Dwynwen’s Cross, a Celtic memorial cross on the island, commemorates her life and influence, with origins dating from the 19th century.
Today, Anglesey’s coastal beauty and historical setting make Llanddwyn Island a popular destination for couples and visitors looking to embrace Welsh cultural heritage.
Llanddwyn Island Map (sat nav postcode LL61 6SG)
💌 How Is St Dwynwen’s Day Celebrated?
While similar in spirit to Valentine’s Day, St Dwynwen’s Day has unique Welsh traditions:
Common Practices
- Sending cards and gifts to loved ones on 25th January.
- Exchanging Welsh love tokens like love spoons (symbols of affection).
- Saying “Rwy’n dy garu di” — Welsh for “I love you”.
- Giving flowers, chocolates, and personal gifts with local flair.
Cultural Growth
Though not as globally commercialised as Valentine’s Day, this tradition continues to grow in Wales, embraced by local communities, schools, shops, and artisans.
❤️ Why St Dwynwen’s Day Matters
St Dwynwen’s Day is more than a date on the calendar, it’s a celebration of love, heritage, and Welsh identity. It brings people together through shared stories and meaningful expression, emphasising connections that are heartfelt and culturally rich.
Conclusion
Whether you’re sending a heartfelt card, visiting Llanddwyn Island, or simply sharing a Welsh phrase of love, St Dwynwen’s Day is a timeless celebration of romance, culture, and connection - all in a unique Welsh way.
❓ FAQ - Your Questions Answered
Q1. When is St Dwynwen’s Day celebrated?
St Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated every year on 25th January.
Q2. How do you say “Happy St Dwynwen’s Day” in Welsh?
You say: “Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus!” — the Welsh greeting for the day.
Q3. Is St Dwynwen officially recognised by the Church?
Although widely celebrated in Wales, she isn’t officially commemorated in modern Catholic or Anglican calendars.
Q4. Where is the legend associated with St Dwynwen based?
Her story and shrine are tied to Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey (Ynys Môn) in northwest Wales.
Q5. What is the Welsh phrase for “I love you”?
The Welsh expression is: Rwy’n dy garu di.