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23 Jan 10 - 08:08 AM (#2819307) Subject: Folklore: St Dwynwen's Day, January 25th From: Mick Tems January 25 (Monday) is Dydd Santes Dwynwen - St Dwynwen's Day, the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine's Day. Welsh speakers and those with an interest in the culture and history of Wales organise twmpaths (Welsh ceilidhs) and other events such as noson lawen (folk evenings)- and we send cards! There's an old ruined church on Llanddwyn Island, on the south west coast of Anglesey, and it was here that Dwynwen retreated after she vowed to become a nun. The National museum (St Fagans) says that Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and was, by all accounts, one of the prettiest of Brychan Brycheiniog's 24 daughters. The story goes that Dwynwen fell in love with Maelon Dafodrill, but unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should marry someone else. Maelon was so outraged that he raped Dwynwen and left her. In her grief Dwynwen fled to the woods, where she begged God to make her forget Maelon. After falling asleep, Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice. God then gave three wishes to Dwynwen. First she wished that Maelon be thawed, second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers and third that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God's service for the rest of her life. |
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23 Jan 10 - 09:27 AM (#2819356) Subject: RE: Folklore: St Dwynwen's Day, January 25th From: GUEST,Liam Donnelly A proud and ancient celtic custom, not like the commercial greed that has ruined St Val's day! |
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23 Jan 10 - 09:35 AM (#2819364) Subject: RE: Folklore: St Dwynwen's Day, January 25th From: GUEST,Ioan Jones This is a day when it's good to be in Wales. Diolch yn fawr, Dwynwen. |
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23 Jan 10 - 09:39 AM (#2819372) Subject: RE: Folklore: St Dwynwen's Day, January 25th From: GUEST,leeneia Aha! Yesterday SOMETHING told me to buy the irresistible package with every color of glitter in it at the Target store. Now I can make sparkly valentines. I mean dwynwens. Thanks for posting. My friends and I like to play Welsh music. |