St Dwynwen's Day - Dydd Santes Dwynwen
St Dwynwen's Day – 25th January
Saint Dwynwen's Day, celebrated on January 25th, is Wales' very own version of Valentine’s Day — a celebration of love, heritage, and one of the most cherished cultural traditions in the Welsh calendar. This romantic day, dedicated to the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers, occurs just three weeks before Valentine’s Day.
On this day, people exchange gifts and cards with the heartfelt Welsh phrase: “Rwy'n dy garu di” — “I love you.”
How to Say “Happy St Dwynwen’s Day” in Welsh
Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus!
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.
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The Legend of Saint Dwynwen
Dwynwen, whose name means "she who leads a blessed life," lived in the 5th century in what is now the Brecon Beacons National Park area of Wales. Legend has it that she was one of the most beautiful daughters of Brychan Brycheiniog.
Dwynwen fell in love with Prince Maelon Dyfodrill, but her father had already promised her to another. Distraught, Dwynwen was visited by an angel who gave her a potion to erase her memory of Maelon and turn him into ice.
Dwynwen's Three Wishes
Fleeing to the woods, Dwynwen prayed to God to forget Maelon. He prays were answered and God granted her three wishes.
- She wished for Maelon to be thawed.
- For God to fulfil the hopes of true lovers, and
- That she should never marry.
All her wishes were granted. In gratitude, Dwynwen dedicated her life to God's service, becoming a nun and founding a convent on Llanddwyn Island.
Llanddwyn Island and Saint Dwynwen's Legacy
Llanddwyn Island, a tidal island near the village of Newborough off the west coast of Anglesey, is a must-visit location in Wales, offering spectacular views of Snowdonia and the Llŷn Peninsula. It is also the setting for one of Wales' greatest love stories.
Saint Dwynwen died in 465 AD. A well on Llanddwyn Island was named after her and became a place of pilgrimage. Visitors believed the sacred fish in the well could predict the happiness of their relationships; lively fish indicated a faithful husband.
Another wishing well, Crochan Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn's cauldron), is located between Llanddwyn Island and Newborough. Folklore suggests that if its water boils in the presence of visitors, love and good luck will follow.
St Dwynwen's Cross
A plain 14 feet stone cross was erected in Saint Dwynwen's memory in 1879, followed by a Celtic cross in 1903. The inscription says 'On the sixtieth year of Queen Victoria', namely 1879 and is situated near the ruins of St. Dwynwen's church and her healing well.
Llanddwyn Island Map (sat nav postcode LL61 6SG)
Celebrate Welsh Heritage
Wales 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.