National emblems (FAQ)
The Welsh flag made by Howell & Co and presented to Captain Scott's Antarctic Expedition.
The Red Dragon
Why is there a Red Dragon on the Welsh flag?
The Red Dragon is the heraldic symbol of Wales, and is incorporated into the Welsh national flag.
According to tradition, the red dragon appeared on a crest born by
Arthur, whose father, Uthr Bendragon, had seen a dragon in the sky predicting that he would be king.Where did the dragon symbol originate?
The dragon as a symbol was probably introduced into Britain by the Roman legions. Medieval Welsh poets often compared their leaders to dragons in poems praising their bravery, for example, Gruffydd ab yr Ynad Coch said of
Llywellyn ap Gruffudd Pen dragon, pen draig oedd arnaw ('A dragon's head he had').Between 1485 and 1603, the dragon formed part of the arms of the Tudor dynasty, but it was replaced on the royal coat of arms with a unicorn by order of James I.
How did the Welsh dragon end up on the national flag of Wales?
The Red Dragon reappeared as the royal badge for Wales in 1807, and from then on it was often seen in the regalia of Welsh patriotic societies. At the suggestion of the Gorsedd of the Bards, it was officially recognised by the Queen in 1959, and is now widely used as the national flag.
The Leek and the Daffodil
Why is the leek a Welsh symbol?
Legend has it that St David ordered his soldiers to wear leeks on their helmets during a battle against the Saxons during the sixth century, while the Battle of Crecy, in 1346, featured loyal and brave Welsh archers who fought in a field of leeks. By 1536, when Henry VIII gave a leek to his daughter on 1 March, was already associated with St David's Day. It is possible that the green and white family colours adopted by the Tudors were taken from their liking for the leek.
When did people start wearing a daffodil on St David's day?
In comparison with the ancient Welsh associations of the leek, the daffodil has only recently assumed a position of national importance. An increasingly popular flower during the 19th century, especially among women, its status was elevated by the Welsh-born prime minister David Lloyd George, who wore it on St David's Day and used it in ceremonies in 1911 to mark the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon.
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