Leeks, daffodils and dragons, it’s St. David’s Day!

Daffodil costume.

Today is Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant, St. David’s Day, National Day of Wales in remembrance of the death of its patron saint in 589 AD.

Though not a public holiday, people all over the country celebrate the occasion with parades, especially in the capital, Cardiff. The most common symbols you’ll find are the leek (in Spanish, “puerro”) and the daffodil, a yellow flower in bloom at this time of year. The leek has a special place in Welsh tradition, as it was once  used by Welsh soldiers to distinguish themselves from similarly-dressed English soldiers. As you can imagine, the daffodil is much preferred by the modern British government as a non-political symbol

St. David founded a Celtic monastic community in Glyn Rhosin (the Vale of Roses), where St. David’s Cathedral stands today:

His foundation at Glyn Rhosin became one of the most important shrines of the Christian world, and the most important centre in Wales. Roads and tracks from all over the nation led to it and in the Middle Ages two pilgrimages to Menevia was equal to one to Rome (Dos i Rufain unwaith, ac i Fynyw ddwywaith – Go to Rome once, and come to Monmouth twice). [.....] The religious centre of St David‘s thus became a focus for the religious aspirations of the Welsh nation and as Gerallt Cymro (Giraldus Cambrensis) relates: The Bishopric of St Davids became … a symbol of the independence of Wales … and that is why David himself was exalted into a Patron Saint of Wales. (from Wikipedia)

Image by Welsh Icons (Dom) via Flickr

To find out more about the official St David’s Day Parade, visit their website. As they say in Wales, “Os y chi’n caru Cymru, dylech chi fod yna!”

(“If you love Wales, you should be there!”)

Strange Random Wales Quote:

“Do you seriously expect me to be the first Prince of Wales in history not to have a mistress?” – Charles, Prince of Wales

St David’s Day Parade

“Os y chi’n caru Cymru, dylech chi fod yna!”

“If you love Wales, you should be there!”

St David’s Day Parade

“Os y chi’n caru Cymru, dylech chi fod yna!”

“If you love Wales, you should be there!”

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