Dydd Santes Dwynwen: The Welsh Valentine's Day

S aint Dwynwen was considered the most beautiful of the 24 daughters of King Brychan Brycheiniog. Her home was in Anglesey, in the North of Wales. On Llanddwyn Island, just off the coast of Anglesey, lie the remnants of the church of Saint Dwynwen, where many used to travel on a religious pilgrimage during the Middle Ages. She passed away on January 25th 645.

As with many ancient legends passed down by word of mouth, the tale of Saint Dwynwen, first told in the 5th century AD, is has become contorted with time. In total, three different versions of Saint Dwynwen's story exist, but thankfully, there are a few elements which remain consistent.

The legend states that Dwynwen fell in love with a young prince named Maeron. Maeron returned her feelings but for an undetermined reason, they could not be together. Three hypotheses are that a) Maeron raped Dwynwen despite her wish to remain celibate until after marriage, b) her father forbade the marriage, or c) her father had already promised her to someone else. Dwynwen, distraught by her love for Maeron, prays to fall out of love with him. An angel answers her prayers by bringing her a potion that erases her love for Maeron and turns him to ice.

God then grants Dwynwen three requests. First, she asks God to free Maeron from his icy tomb. Then, she asks him to make her the Patron Saint of Lovers, and to let her remain unmarried for the rest of her life. When God grants these requests, Dwynwen dedicates herself to the church and founds the above-mentioned convent on Llanddwyn Island.

Since Dydd Santes Dwynwen (Saint Dwynwen Day) is only celebrated in Wales, it can be difficult to find a wide variety of attractive greeting cards for this celebration. As such, I have put together a small selection of attractive cards to send to your loved one this Saint Dwynwen's Day 2012.

It is said that in the church well on Llanddwynn Island, there live fish that can predict the outcome of a love affair.

If you worry that your husband is being unfaithful, visit the well. All you must do is throw in some breadcrumbs, cover them with a handkerchief, and wait to see if the fish cause the handkerchief to move. If they do, your husband is faithful. If they do not - well, some things are better left unsaid!

If you wish to know the future of your relationship, on the other hand, a trip to the well could also prove fruitful. If the fish move so violently that it looks as if the water has come to a boil, your relationship will continue to blossom. If the look as if they're dead or sleeping - well, see part one!

Note: Sometimes the legend states that there are eels, not fish, in the well. I think I prefer fish!

I n Wales, it is traditional to exchange love cards and love spoons with the lover's names engraved upon them on St. Dwynwen's Day. Friends and lovers will greet each other with a kiss on the forehead and a hearty embrace, while saying the words "Dwi'n dy garu di" (I love you). It is also common to hold a lover's feast on the evening of St. Dwynwen's Day. A popular dish is a stew made of lamb, red wine, onion, garlic and herbs.