Dydd Santes Dwynwen or St Dwynwen's Day is celebrated on the 25th of January every year. The day celebrates St Dwynwen, the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers.

Dwynwen lived in the fifth century. Her story would have passed from generation to generation by word of mouth, and it, therefore, has many variations. Below is just one version.

Legend has it that Dwynwen, the prettiest daughter of Brychan Brycheiniog (King of Brecon), fell madly in love with Maelon Dafodrill. He, too, fell madly in love with her. They planned to spend the rest of their lives together.

Dwynwen's father forbade the match, preventing Dwynwen and Maelon from marrying. He had promised Dwynwen to another man.

Brimming with rage that he could not marry Dwynwen, Maelon turned his anger towards broken-hearted Dwynwen. In her fear, Dwynwen prayed for safety and to be free of her feelings towards Maelon.

As she slept, she was visited by a spirit who told her that Maelon had been frozen and could cause her no harm. The spirit gave her three wishes. She first wished for Maelon to be thawed as she did not want him to suffer. She then wished to never again fall in love or marry. Finally, her last wish was for the hopes and dreams of true lovers to be realised. Each of her wishes came true.

The story ends with Dwynwen leaving home to become a nun, devoting her life to God. She travelled across Wales praying for those troubled in love. Her final stop was a small tidal island off the west coast of Anglesey where she built a church. The island became known as Llanddwyn (literally meaning the church of Dwynwen).

The remains of this church are still visible on Llanddwyn Island.

St Dwynwen's Day is the most romantic day of the year in Wales and is a day for the celebration of love. To celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day, why not make your romantic feelings known and give a gift to your loved one.

Sara Griffiths