Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus i Bawb!
Commemorating the greatest figure in the 6th Century Welsh Age of Saints, and a day to celebrate Wales, as a whole - today marks the celebration of St David’s Day!
History of St David
St David - the only native-born patron saint of Britain and Ireland, was born in Pembrokeshire in 500 AD.
Venturing far, St David founded a number of religious communities across Wales and England, including a religious community at St Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire - where his remains lay.
Traditions
Canonised by Pope Callixtus in the 12th Century (making him a ‘Saint’) St David has been commemorated and Wales as a nation have celebrated St Davids Day ever since. These celebrations include parades, concerts and eisteddfodau (music festival celebrating Welsh language and culture).
Following the tradition of St David’s Day, it is common in Wales for children to attend their schools in traditional Welsh dress, flags are flown, and the Welsh national anthem is sung.
Did you know - ‘Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus’, translates from Welsh to English as ‘Happy St David’s Day’!
The Welsh Flag
An interesting fact - the official Welsh flag is less than a hundred years old. The symbol, however, goes back to the 4th century AD, when Romano-British soldiers carried a red dragon standard heading into battle!
The red dragon symbolising Wales dates back to 820 AD, and in 1129 AD the iconic red creature was linked with the legendary King Arthur by Joffrey of Monmouth, suggesting King Arthur made his father a warrior called Uther Pendragon, his surname translating from Welsh to ‘dragon head’.