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How the Saint Dwynwen Day / Dydd Santes Dwynwen
card developed
Like most really good romantic stories, the legend about Saint Dwynwen is
about thwarted love expressed as a folktales and Celtic stories.
Dydd Santes Dwynwen is the Welsh translation for Saint Dwynwen's Day and is
celebrated on the 25th January every year. It is the equivalent of the English
Saint Valentine's Day. Unlike English history, most of Welsh history was
passed down through the generations by word and mouth via song and poetry and
is difficult to accurately verify. Much of Welsh history is based on stories
and songs as it was considered a virtue not to write these tales down, but to
instead pass them down by word of mouth. As such, the original tale has become
mixed with elements of folktales and Celtic stories.
However, it is certain that Dwynwen was the beautiful daughter of Brychan
Brycheiniog who produced a huge family of eleven sons and twenty-four
daughters. Dwynwen fell in love with Maelon but unfortunately Brychan hated
him and refused permission to wed. Some stories suggest that Maelon was so
furious about this that he attacked and raped Dwynwen. Both Maelon and Dwynwen
begged Brychan but he would not change his mind so eventually Maelon decided
to leave the area. Being totally distraught, Dwynwen hid in the forests where
she dreamt and met an angel who gave her a magic potion that cooled her love
for Maelon. Maelon turned into a block of ice. The angel also granted her
three wishes. She wished that she would never again want to marry; to
un-freeze Maelon; and become the patron saint of lovers. The angel granted her
the title 'Saint of Love' plus three wishes.
Fulfilling her wish to never wed, Dwynwen later became a nun and departed for
the island of Anglesey which is off the coast of North Wales where she build a
Church. This is known as Llanddwynwen which translated into English means the
'Church of Dwynwen'.
If you are looking for more illustrations and Celtic images to create your
own
personalised Saint Dwynwen Day / Dydd Santes Dwynwen cards just
click
http://www.celtic-1.co.uk/SantesDwynwen.htm
If you require any more help just
e-mail
enquiry@celtic-1.co.uk and
let us know exactly what you want.
