Yesterday was St. David's Day- the Patron Saint of Wales- so cook up some leek stew, sit down for some rugby and get ready to drop some mad flow because this week, if you haven't guessed- it's Wales!
Y Ddraig Goch, the Red Dragon of Wales was approved in 1959 as the Welsh National Flag- but the Red Dragon has been associated with Wales for centuries, dating back to Tudor times, when Henry VII used it at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485- and it was traditionally associated with the House of Tudor from then on. (Wikipedia, the font of all knowledge also seems to think that the green and white on the flag represent leeks- but my Ultimate Pocket Flags of the World seems to think that the dragon is perched on top of a green hill.)
The dragon, however, has had a longer history of association with Britain- dating back even to Roman times. Some of the earliest references go as far back as 830 AD and there are references to dragons in the Arthurian legends as well.
Historically, the dragon has appeared on flags of the Qing Dynasty in China, several cities across the world including Cardiff and the badge of St. George's Cross in Malta- but only Bhutan shares a dragon with Wales country-wise.
So put your hands together for Wales!
And until next time, kids- keep your flags flying. FREAK- other otherwise.
No comments:
Post a Comment