St. Dwynwen’s Day, Friday 25th January
Friday 25th is a perfect time to cherish your beloved and say “Dw i’n dy garu di”.
Dydd Santes Dwynwen is often celebrated with lovespoons, a tradition which originated in Wales hundreds of years ago. Early lovespoons were carved from a single piece of wood by young men and given to their beloved.
The Lovespoon symbolises traditional meanings of love and affection. The heart, for instance, symbolises “his love for her” and the double heart symbolises a “shared or returned love”. Twisted vines and entwined leaves are said to show a “love that will grow”.
Santes Dwynwen is the patron saint of Welsh lovers. She has powers to grant wishes. Dwynwen was the beautiful and virtuous daughter of the 5th century Prince Brychan Brycheiniog. Dwynwen fell hopelessly in love with a young prince, Maelon Dafodrill, but then rejected his advances. This, depending on which story you read, was either because she wished to remain chaste and become a nun or because her father had arranged her marriage to another.
Dwynwen prayed for deliverance from her situation, and was given a sweet potion which released her from her heartache. The same drink was given to Maelon, which turned him to ice. Realising that Maelon couldn’t help his love for her, she prayed again and was given three wishes. The first that Maelon should be thawed, the second that she should never marry, and the third that God should answer all requests by her on the behalf of lovers.
Dwynwen became a nun and retreated to the solitude of Llanddwyn Island where she founded a convent. A fresh-water spring, Ffynnon Dwynwen, was named after her and became a place of pilgrimage after her death in 465AD. Ffynnon Dwynwen, has become a place of pilgrimage, not only for lovers, but also for those seeking her help in healing sick and distressed animals.