Valentines Day 2019: What is Dydd Santes Dwynwen - why do Welsh celebrate different day?
TODAY is Dydd Santes Dwynwen or St Dwynwen’s Day - Wales' very own version of St Valentines Day. But what is St Dwynwen’s Day? Why do the Welsh celebrate it?
Alisson Becker and wife Natalia share a kiss on Valentine's Day
What is Dydd Santes Dwynwen?
Dydd Santes Dwynwen translated from Welsh to English means ‘Valentine’s Day’ and falls on January 25.
According to Visit Wales official website, St Dwynwen was a 4th century Welsh princess who lived in what is today known as Brecon Beacons National Park.
Dwynwen reportedly had no luck in her love life, so chose to become a nun and prayed for true love - and that those who found it had more luck than she had.
Dwynwen is the patron saint of lovers and was the prettiest of King Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 daughters.
She fell in love with a local boy named Maelon Dafodrill, however, her father King Brychan had arranged for her to marry a prince instead.
Devastated by the news, and with Maelon reacting badly to the thought of her arranged marriage, Dwynwen ran away to the woods to cry.
She begged for God to help her and was visited by an angel who presented her with a potion to help her forget Maelon and turned him to ice.
God granted Dwynwen three wishes. Her first was that Maelon was thawed from his icy prison.
Her second was for God to help all lovers and her third that she would never marry.
Dwynwen then became a nun and created a convent on Llanddwyn Island.
So St Dwynwen’s Day is the most romantic day of the year in Wales when cards are exchanged, gifts given, and time spent with loved ones.
You can even visit the island of Llanddwyn and see the ruins of St Dwynwen’s Church - built on the site of the nunnery she founded in the 5th century.
She is also said to be buried on the site, and you can visit Dwynwen’s well - said to be home to eels who can predict whether your relationship will last.
To wish someone Happy St Dwynwen's Day in Welsh you can say “Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus!”
You can also say "Rwy'n dy garu di" for I love you.
St Dwynwen is also the patron saint of sick animals, so for any pet woes, you can send a prayer to her.