Cymraeg

Resources to celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day

Each year people in Wales celebrate Saint Dwynwen’s Day on 25th January. Learn more about the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers and discover resources to help teach young people.
View of Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey, featuring a large stone cross on the left and the Tŵr Mawr lighthouse perched on a grassy headland, with the sea and distant mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Who is Saint Dwynwen

St Dwynwen is the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers. Born in the 4th Century in what is now the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, she was a Princess and one of King Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 daughters.

How Dwynwen became a saint

Dwynwen dedicated her life to praying for others to have better luck in love than she did. Her story is both heart-breaking and inspiring.

According to legend, she fell in love with a young man named Maelon Dafodrill, but her father had already arranged for her to marry another prince. A heartbroken Dwynwen fled to the woods and prayed for help.

Her prayers were answered in a dream, when an angel gave her a potion to forget her love for Maelon. But the potion also turned him into a block of ice! Dwynwen prayed to God to release Maelon and devoted her life to helping others.

Dwynwen founded a church on Llanddwyn Island, off the coast of Anglesey, which became a place of pilgrimage for those seeking guidance in their love lives.

Close-up of a traditional Welsh love spoon carved from light wood, featuring intricate heart and floral designs, displayed on a light wooden background.

An example of a Welsh Love Spoon. Kmtextor, CC BY-SA 4.0 

What happens on Saint Dwynwen’s Day

On 25th January, many people across Wales mark St Dwynwen’s Day to show their love for each other.

In some ways it is similar to Valentine’s Day, where people share gifts and cards. Saint Dwynwen’s Day also has elements of Welsh culture which can include visiting Llanddwyn Island and even carving love spoons

Activities for learners

Celebrating St Dwynwen’s Day is a great way to teach young people about Welsh culture and heritage. Here are some ideas for young learners using Adobe Express on Hwb:

  • Draw a digital lovespoon.
  • Create a St Dwynwen’s Day card for loved ones.
  • Create a timeline of Dwynwen’s life.
  • Create a recipe card for heart shaped biscuits.

Also, keep an eye out on Hwb  for live lessons running both before and after St Dwynwen’s Day on 25th January.