St Dwynwen's Day: What is the 'Welsh Valentine's Day' and how is it celebrated?

As couples make plans for Valentine's Day on 14 February, some in Wales will be celebrating with their loved ones today.

That's because 25 January marks St Dwynwen's Day - the Welsh patron saint of lovers.

It's considered the most romantic day of the year by some in Wales, essentially serving as an early Valentine's Day.

People send cards to one another, share romantic meals, carve lovespoons - and of course, have a cwtsh (a Welsh hug).

While not everyone in Wales celebrates the day, many do take the opportunity to treat their loved one.

Some might even visit St Dwynwen's Church on Anglesey to feel closer to the day's namesake.

Who was Dwynwen?

St Dwynwen, known in Welsh as Santes Dwynwen, was a princess who lived in the Brecon area in the 4th century.

Her father, King Brychan Brycheiniog, arranged for her to marry a prince, but Dwynwen had fallen in love with local lad Maelon Dafodrill.

When Maelon found out about Dwynwen's impending nuptials, he didn't take it too well.

A distraught Dwynwen fled to the nearby woods, where through floods of tears, she begged for God's help and was visited by an angel.

She was given a potion by the angel to help her forget Maelon - which also happened to turn him into a block of ice.

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God then granted Dwynwen three wishes. She wished Maelon be thawed, that God would help all true lovers, and that she would never marry.

She then became a nun, setting up a convent at Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey.