Humanities Information

What is Y Ddraig Goch - the Welsh Red Dragon?


The red Dragon was introduced to Britain during Roman times. It is possible that the Romans learned of the dragon from the Persians. Initially the 'draco' was used as a standard by the Roman army but over time it was adopted by the Welsh people as their national flag. It is possibly the oldest national flag in use today.

The earliest recorded used of the red dragon symbolising Wales is in the 'Historia Brittonum' otherwise known as the 'History of Britain'. This was written early in the ninth century. It describes a battle between red and white dragons. Initially the white dragon dominated but finally the red dragon won. The fight was said to symbolise the struggle between the Welsh and English and prophesised that after years of oppression the

Welsh would drive the English from their lands. The great Welsh king, Cadwaladr, carried the dragon standard as a symbol of bravery and fierceness. Welsh princes and warriors continued the tradition. At the Battle of Crecy in 1346 Welsh archers serving in the English army carried the standard. Henry Tudor, who claimed descent from Cadwaladr, carried the dragon banner into battle at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. When he became Henry VII he decreed that the red dragon should appear on Welsh flag. In 1959 Queen Elizabeth II declared that the red dragon on a green and white field should become the official symbol of Wales.

Today, despite the continued strength of the white dragon, the Welsh people maintain their language, culture and sense of Welsh identity. Welsh Regiments serving overseas proudly fly their flag.

Ashley Shameli, the author of this article, is a director of http://www.purdicejewellery.co.uk. He also helps run the Purdice Home & Jewellery eBay shop at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Purdice-Home-and-Jewellery


MORE RESOURCES:

11/23/2024
Perceived school climate, collective teacher efficacy, self-compassion, and subjective well-being in Chinese university teachers: a mediation analysis

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Published online: 23 November 2024; doi:10.1057/s41599-024-04074-2

Perceived school climate, collective teacher efficacy, self-compassion, and subjective well-being in Chinese university teachers: a mediation analysis

more info


11/23/2024
The benefits of Indigenous-led social science: a mindset for Arctic sustainability

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Published online: 23 November 2024; doi:10.1057/s41599-024-04127-6

The benefits of Indigenous-led social science: a mindset for Arctic sustainability

more info


11/23/2024
How does organizational stigma damage employees’ innovative performance? An emotional labor perspective

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Published online: 23 November 2024; doi:10.1057/s41599-024-04134-7

How does organizational stigma damage employees’ innovative performance? An emotional labor perspective

more info


11/22/2024
Correction: Subdivisions of Faifi Arabic: a perceptual dialectology approach

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Published online: 22 November 2024; doi:10.1057/s41599-024-04140-9

Correction: Subdivisions of Faifi Arabic: a perceptual dialectology approach

more info


11/22/2024
From colonial legacy to contemporary reality: attitudes towards English and Hindi hegemony in India

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Published online: 22 November 2024; doi:10.1057/s41599-024-03878-6

From colonial legacy to contemporary reality: attitudes towards English and Hindi hegemony in India

more info


11/22/2024
Evaluating the value for money in procurement for EU-funded projects: the perspectives of Slovak regional and local authorities

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Published online: 22 November 2024; doi:10.1057/s41599-024-04129-4

Evaluating the value for money in procurement for EU-funded projects: the perspectives of Slovak regional and local authorities

more info


11/22/2024
Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Published online: 22 November 2024; doi:10.1057/s41599-024-04112-z

Decoding physics identity: a Spanish-language adaptation on an instrument and its correlation with STEM achievement

more info


11/22/2024
Affordances and constraints of a blended learning course: experience of pre-service teachers in an African context

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Published online: 22 November 2024; doi:10.1057/s41599-024-04136-5

Affordances and constraints of a blended learning course: experience of pre-service teachers in an African context

more info



home | site map | contact us