Did you know that Gwyl San Steffan, or Boxing Day, was traditionally celebrated in Cymru by beating the unprotected arm of young females (and/or whoever rises last in the morning) with the branch of a holly bush, until the arm bled?😳
This was supposed to bring good luck but, honestly, I think the luckiest part is that the tradition died out and no one does this anymore. I hope.
It is peculiar that such a tradition became commonplace. These days, the least you can expect on Boxing Day is an enormous amount of food; your aunt having drank too much alcohol and the yearly dive into Rhyl High Street for a Boxing Day sale. Oh, and the football. So I am unwise as to why this was, at one time, a Welsh tradition.
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Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.