Today – January 25th – is Welsh Valentines Day, or more correctly Dydd Santes Dwynwen, which literally means ‘Day of Saint Dwynwen’ in Welsh.
Welsh Valentines Day celebrates Dwynwen, the Welsh Saint of Love, who lived during the 5th Century and was one of the 24 daughters of King of Wales, Brychan Brycheiniog.
She is said to have been enchantingly beautiful, and was broken hearted when, after she fell in love with a prince called Maelon, her father refused to let her marry him.
It is said that after praying, Dwynwen was visited by an angel and God granted her three wishes, the most important wish being that the hopes and dreams of lovers would be met.
Dwynwen later founded a convent on the west coast of Anglesey, where she was joined by other broken hearted women. After her death in 465AD, a well which was named after her soon became a place of pilgrimage. Dwynwen’s well has stood the test of time and is still there today.
People often exchange romantic gifts on St Dwynwen’s Day – and the most traditional gift to give is a Welsh love spoon, a custom dating back centuries.
Gwelwyd twf sylweddol ym mhoblogrwydd dathlu Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Cynhelir digwyddiadau arbennig, megis cyngherddau a phartion ac argreffir cardiau Cymraeg. Er nad ydyw mor boblogaidd â Diwrnod San Ffolant ym mis Chwefror, mae’r nifer o Gymry cyfoes sy’n dewis dathlu gwyl Santes Dwynwen yn prysur gynyddu.
You can find a great Welsh person to celebrate next year’s Welsh Valentines Day at this very popular Dating in Wales site – Smwch Dating.
