List of Welsh flags facts for kids

This article is about the different flags used in Wales. Flags are special symbols that represent a country, a group of people, or an idea. You'll learn about the famous Welsh Dragon flag, historical flags, and flags for different parts of Wales.

Three Welsh flags, as flown in Caernarfon. From top to bottom: the flag of Owain Glyndŵr, the Flag of Saint David, and the Flag of Wales.

National Flags of Wales

Wales has its own unique flags. While some flags are shared across the United Kingdom, these are special to Wales.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	Since 1959 (officially)	The main Flag of Wales, also called Y Ddraig Goch (The Red Dragon)	A red dragon walking across a flag split into white and green halves.
			A vertical version of the Red Dragon flag, also split into white and green.
	Since 1921	The Flag of Saint David	A yellow cross on a black background.

Royal Flags

These flags are used by the Royal Family when they are in Wales.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	Since 1837	The Royal Standard, used by King Charles III in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland	This flag shows the King's official coat of arms. It has three gold lions for England, a red lion for Scotland, and a harp for Northern Ireland.
		The Prince of Wales's flag, used only in Wales	This flag is based on the arms of an old Welsh prince, Llywelyn the Great. It has four lions (gold and red) and a special crown in the middle.

Government Flags

These flags are used by the Welsh Government and its official bodies.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	Since 2017	The flag used on ships of the Welsh Government, like patrol boats	A blue flag with the British flag in the corner and a yellow dragon in the middle.
		Flag of the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament)	A white flag with the red logo of the Senedd Cymru.

Religious Flags

These flags are used by churches and religious groups in Wales.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	Since 1921	The Flag of Saint David	A yellow cross on a black background.
	Since 1954	The Flag of the Church in Wales	A blue cross on a white background with a Celtic cross design.
	1920 – 1954	An older, unofficial Flag of the Church in Wales	A black cross on a yellow background (the reverse of the St. David's flag).

Dioceses of the Church in Wales

The Church in Wales is split into different areas called dioceses. Each has its own flag.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
		Flag of the Diocese of Bangor	Shows the coat of arms of the Diocese of Bangor.
		Flag of the Diocese of St Asaph	Shows the coat of arms of the Diocese of St Asaph.
		Flag of the Diocese of St Davids	Shows the coat of arms of the Diocese of St Davids.
		Flag of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon	Shows the coat of arms of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.

Historical Flags

These flags were used in Wales a long time ago. They tell us about Wales's past.

Old Welsh Flags

These are earlier versions of flags used to represent Wales.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	1807 – 1953	Used before the current Red Dragon flag became official.
	1953 – 1959	Used for a short time, showing a special badge of Wales.

Flags of Welsh Princes

These flags belonged to powerful Welsh princes and kingdoms from history.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	1195 – 1378	The flag of Owain Glyndŵr, a famous Welsh leader. It's still used by groups promoting Welsh language and culture.	A flag with four sections, alternating gold and red, each with a lion.
	1100 – 1378	The flag of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, used by princes like Llywelyn the Great.	A flag with four sections, alternating gold and red, each with a lion that looks forward.
	c.987 – c.1034	The flag of the Kingdom of Powys from the early Middle Ages.	A gold flag with a red lion standing on its hind legs.
	c.1034 – c.1195	The flag of the Kingdom of Deheubarth in South Wales.	A red flag with a gold lion standing on its hind legs, surrounded by a gold border.
	c.1267 - 1282	A personal flag of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, another important Welsh prince.	A white flag with three red lions walking across it.
	c.567 – c.897	The flag of Powys Fadog, sometimes called the Black Lion of Powys.	A white flag with a black lion standing on its hind legs.

Battle Flags

These flags were carried into battles long ago.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	c.1400 – c.1416	Y Ddraig Aur or "The Golden Dragon," used by Owain Glyndŵr.	A white flag with a gold dragon standing on its hind legs.
	13th century	Y Groes Nawdd or "The Cross of Neith," said to be a battle flag of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd.	A purple flag with a gold Celtic cross.

Historical Religious Flags

These are older flags used by religious groups in Wales.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	pre – 1954	An unofficial flag for the Diocese of Bangor.	A black cross on a yellow background, with the Bangor coat of arms in the corner.
	pre – 1954	An unofficial flag for the Diocese of Llandaff.	A black cross on a yellow background, with the Llandaff coat of arms in the corner.
	pre – 1954	An unofficial flag for the Diocese of Monmouth.	A black cross on a yellow background, with the Monmouth coat of arms in the corner.
	pre – 1954	An unofficial flag for the Diocese of St Asaph.	A black cross on a yellow background, with the St Asaph coat of arms in the corner.
	pre – 1954	An unofficial flag for the Diocese of St Davids.	A black cross on a yellow background, with the St Davids coat of arms in the corner.
	pre – 1954	An unofficial flag for the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.	A black cross on a yellow background, with the Swansea and Brecon coat of arms in the corner.

Flags of Regions, Counties, and Cities

Many different areas in Wales have their own flags.

Traditional Counties

Wales has 13 historic counties. Here are some of their flags.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	March 2014	The Flag of Anglesey	A red flag with a gold chevron (a V-shape) and three gold lions.
	Not yet officially registered	The flag of Brecknockshire
	Since 2012	The Flag of Caernarfonshire	A green flag with three gold eagles flying across it.
	Not yet officially registered	The flag of Cardiganshire (now Ceredigion)	A black flag with a gold lion looking backward.
	Since 2015	The Flag of Flintshire	A white flag with a black cross and four Cornish Choughs (birds).
	Since 2013	The Flag of Glamorgan	A red flag with three white chevron shapes.
	Since 2015	The Flag of Merionethshire	A blue flag with three white goats and a shining sun.
	Since 2011	The Flag of Monmouthshire	A flag split vertically into blue and black, with three gold lily symbols.
	Since 1988	The Flag of Pembrokeshire	A blue flag with a gold cross and a small green shield in the middle showing a Tudor Rose.

Cities, Towns, and Villages

Many towns and cities in Wales also have their own flags.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	1906	Flag of Cardiff	A white flag with a red dragon holding a flag that has three white chevron shapes.
	2013	Flag of Craig-y-Dorth	Two golden dragon-like creatures facing each other, one on blue and one on red.
	2022	Flag of Llandovery
	2015	Flag of Monmouth
	2013	Flag of Tywyn

University Flags

Universities in Wales often have their own flags, usually based on their official symbols.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
		Flag of Bangor University
		Flag of Swansea University	Shows the coat of arms of the University.
		Flag of Wrexham Glyndŵr University	Shows the coat of arms of the University.

Company Flags

Some companies in Wales have their own special flags, called "house flags."

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
		House flag of Cory Brothers	A flag split into white and green, with a pink Welsh dragon holding two black diamond shapes in the middle.
	1882–1981	House flag of Evan Thomas, Radcliffe and Company

Flags of Welsh Identity Movements

These flags have been used by groups who want Wales to be more independent or have a stronger national identity.

Flag	When Used	What it's For	What it Looks Like
	1960s	A Welsh flag used by groups supporting a Welsh republic.	A flag with three vertical stripes: green, red, and white, with a black star.
	1950s–1960s	A flag used by the Welsh Republican Movement.	A flag with three vertical stripes: green, red, and white.
	Since 1960s	Yr Eryr Wen – the White Eagle, used by some Welsh nationalist groups. The eagle is linked to Owain Gwynedd and the Snowdonia mountains.	A white eagle design on a black background.
	1970s	Flag of the Welsh Patriotic Front.	A flag with three horizontal stripes: white, red, and green, with a black band on the left containing a gold symbol.
	1970s	Y Ddraig Ddu or "The Black Dragon," used by the Cymru 1400 movement.	The Red Dragon of Wales on a black background.
	1960s	A flag used by the Meibion Glyndŵr group.	A version of Owain Glyndŵr's banner with a special border.
		The Cofiwch Dryweryn flag	A red flag with the words "Cofiwch Dryweryn" ("Remember Tryweryn") in white.

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