Welsh Dragon facts for kids
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The Welsh Dragon (called y Ddraig Goch in Welsh, meaning 'the red dragon') is a special symbol for Wales. You can see it proudly displayed on the national flag of Wales. This powerful red dragon has been a part of Welsh history and legends for a very long time.
Long ago, important Welsh leaders were sometimes called "dragons" because they were strong and brave. Famous figures like Owain Glyndŵr were known as dragons.
The red dragon also stars in old Welsh stories, like the Mabinogion. In one tale, it fights a white dragon. This story is also told in the Historia Brittonum, an ancient book from around 829 AD. It describes how the red dragon represents the Welsh people, bravely fighting against invaders.
Today, the red dragon is a clear symbol of Wales. It became the official symbol on the national flag in 1959.
The Dragon's Ancient Roots
The idea of using a dragon as a symbol in battles goes way back to the Roman times. Roman soldiers carried special flags called "draco" standards. These standards often had a dragon or serpent shape at the top.
When the Romans left Britain, the local people, called Britons, continued to use dragon symbols. They likely saw the dragon as a sign of strength and leadership.
Dragons as Leaders
Ancient Welsh poets, like Taliesin and Aneirin, often compared brave military leaders to dragons. For the Britons, the word "dragon" (draig in Welsh) became a way to describe a powerful war leader or prince.
For example, the poet Aneirin called his patron, Mynyddog Mwynfawr, "the dragon." Another leader, Owain ap Urien, was known as "Owain ben draic," meaning "Owain, the chief dragon." This shows how important the dragon symbol was for identifying strong leaders.
Later, many famous Welsh leaders were also linked to the dragon. These included Owain Gwynedd, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (sometimes called Llywelyn the Last), and the legendary Owain Glyndŵr. A poet even called Owain Gwynedd "The golden dragon of Snowdonia."
The Tale of the Two Dragons
The red dragon plays a big part in an old Welsh story from the Mabinogion, called Lludd and Llefelys. In this tale, a terrible problem affects the land: a fierce battle between a red dragon and a foreign white dragon. Their constant fighting causes a loud, scary shriek that makes people and animals sick.
To stop this, a wise king named Lludd finds a clever solution. He traps the dragons, puts them to sleep with a special drink, and buries them deep underground in a stone chest. This act brings peace back to the land. This story shows the red dragon as a powerful, native force.
The Dragons Under the Castle
The story of the fighting dragons is also told in the Historia Brittonum, a history book written around 828 AD. In this version, the dragons are clearly identified by their colors. The red dragon stands for the Celtic Britons (the Welsh people). The white dragon represents the Anglo-Saxons, who were invaders at the time.
The tale describes a king named Vortigern who tried to build a castle in Wales. But every time he built the walls, they would fall down! His advisors couldn't figure out why.
A young boy named Emrys (who later became the legendary Ambrosius Aurelianus) knew the secret. He told the king to dig under the castle. There, they found a hidden pool where a red dragon and a white dragon were fighting. Emrys explained that the white dragon was winning for now, but the red dragon would eventually triumph. This story became a powerful symbol of hope for the Welsh people.
King Arthur and the Dragon
The famous writer Geoffrey of Monmouth also included the red and white dragon story in his book, History of the Kings of Britain. He even linked the red dragon to a prophecy about the coming of the legendary King Arthur.
Geoffrey wrote that King Arthur himself used a golden dragon banner in battle. This dragon standard was a symbol of his power. It also served as a gathering point for his soldiers, especially those who were wounded.
Owain Glyndŵr's Golden Dragon
Owain Glyndŵr was a very important Welsh prince and leader. His personal banner was called Y Ddraig Aur, which means 'The Golden Dragon'. This banner was a powerful symbol of Welsh independence.
In 1401, Glyndŵr famously raised his Golden Dragon banner over Caernarfon during a battle against the English. It was a sign of hope and a call for Welsh people to unite. Many believed this golden dragon was the same ancient standard used by legendary figures like Uther Pendragon and King Arthur.
Glyndŵr also had dragons on his official seals. These seals showed dragons on his helmet, his horse's head, and even his crown. This shows how deeply connected he was to the dragon symbol.
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An old depiction of Owain Glyndŵr with a dragon crown and a dragon on his horse's head.
The Tudor Family's Dragon
The House of Tudor was a famous royal family in England with strong Welsh roots. Henry VII, the first Tudor king, had a special connection to Wales. After winning a very important battle called the Battle of Bosworth Field, he proudly displayed a red dragon banner. This banner had a red dragon on a background of white and green, which are the Welsh national colors.
The red dragon became an important symbol for the Tudor kings and queens, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. They often used the red dragon as a "supporter" in their royal coat of arms. This showed their Welsh heritage and power.
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Coat of arms of Elizabeth I
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Standard of Henry Tudor
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Dragon used in arms by the Tudor monarchs
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Coat of Arms of Henry VII of England and Wales (1485–1509)
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An alternative Coat of Arms of Henry VII of England and Wales (1485–1509)
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The Royal Badge of Wales
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The red dragon officially became a royal symbol, or heraldic badge, in 1800. King George III made it official. This badge showed a red dragon walking on a green mound.
Later, in 1901, the red dragon was added to the badge of the Prince of Wales. This was an important step in recognizing the dragon as a symbol for Wales.
In 1953, the dragon badge was updated to include a special motto: "Y DDRAIG GOCH DDYRY CYCHWYN." This means "the red dragon inspires action." However, by 1959, the government decided to use the current flag instead of this badge.
The red dragon badge was used by various Welsh government offices for many years. However, a new official royal badge was created in 2008, which no longer featured the red dragon.
The Dragon in Modern Times
In the early 1900s, the Welsh dragon started appearing in more public ways. It was seen at national celebrations and even on flags used by explorers.
The dragon also became a symbol for important social movements. For example, during the women's suffrage movement in Wales, banners with the Welsh dragon were carried in parades. These banners showed the dragon standing upright on a white and green background. It was a powerful and eye-catching symbol that drew a lot of attention.
The Dragon Today
The red dragon is still a very important symbol for Wales in many ways.
The Flag of Wales
The most famous place you'll see the red dragon is on the national Flag of Wales. This flag became official in 1959 and is a proud symbol of the country.
The Welsh Seal
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The red dragon also appears on the official Welsh Seal. This seal is used for important government documents and was updated in 2011 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Welsh Government Logo
The Welsh Government uses the Welsh dragon as its official logo. This logo always shows the dragon facing to the left. It is a clear and recognizable symbol for the government of Wales.
Welsh Language Society
The Welsh Language Society uses a symbol called Tafod y Ddraig, which means "Tongue of the dragon." This shows the dragon's connection to the Welsh language and culture.
Wales Football Team
The Welsh dragon is also the official emblem for the Football Association of Wales. It's a very popular and iconic symbol for the national football team, showing their Welsh pride. The logo was updated in 2019.
Dragon Mottos
The Welsh Dragon has some powerful mottos associated with it:
- "Anorchfygol Ddraig Cymru" means "Unconquerable Dragon of Wales." This motto highlights the dragon's strength and resilience.
- "Y ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn" means "The red dragon will show the way" or "the red dragon inspires action." This motto suggests the dragon leads and motivates the Welsh people.
Images for kids
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The Draco standard of Niederbieber
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A Carnyx from Tintignac
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The Welsh Dragon on a trig point at Twyn y Gaer hill fort, Mynydd Illtud
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The Welsh Dragon symbol of Felinfoel Brewery
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Red Dragon sculpture at the Welsh Memorial Park, Ypres
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The flag of Cardiff
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A statue of the Welsh Dragon in Trelew, Patagonia
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Dragons at Caerphilly Castle
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House flag of Cory Brothers
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House flag of John Byford and Son
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Red Dragon Queen's Beast
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Welsh Dragon painted on the bow of HMS Dragon (D35)
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