The Welsh flag is not your typical flag with stripes or crosses, it’s one of only three country flags in the world that contain the mythical dragon symbol. But why is there a dragon on the Welsh flag?
There is a dragon on the Welsh flag because it has been an emblem of Wales since the 5th century. Later, it became known as the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr and has been used in many battles by Celtic kings and the Tudors who were of Welsh descent. It was officially recognized in 1959.
Keep reading to find out more about how the dragon first became the emblem of Wales and to find out why the background of the flag is white and green.
Why is There a Dragon on the Welsh Flag?
The origin of the red dragon dates back to the 5th century when, according to legend, the red dragon, representing the Celtic people, won in a battle against the white dragon, representing the Saxons (more on this story below).
Since then, the dragon has appeared in many Welsh texts and it became an emblem of Wales under Cadwaladr who was King of Gwynedd in North Wales between 655 - 682AD
Wales’ first recorded use of the dragon on their flag was in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field in England when Henry Tudor (who was born in South Wales) defeated Richard III to become King of England.
This is also where the green and white colours of the modern flag came from as these were the colours of the Tudor house.
However, it wasn’t until much later in 1959 that the flag featuring the red dragon was officially recognised by the British Government as the flag of Wales
History of the Welsh Flag
Here is a timeline with some of the key points in the history of the Welsh flag:
- 5th Century - Battle of the red and white dragon
- 655 - 682AD - Dragon becomes known as the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr
- 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr uses the dragon during revolts against the English, although it was a golden dragon.
- 1485 - Henry VII uses the red dragon on green and white background as his royal standard in the battle of Bodsworth Field
- 1953 - Queen Elizabeth II gave the Welsh flag a royal augmentation
- 1959 - The current Welsh flag was officially recognized by the British Government
- 2017 - The Welsh flag was approved for an emoji by the Unicode Consortium
If we fast forward to the present day and you visit Wales, you will see how prominent the Welsh flag is around the country. It stands out proudly across the country, flown at castles, government buildings, sports clubs, and schools.
How Did the Dragon Become the Symbol of Wales?
As detailed in chapter 42 of the Historia Brittonum (a text written around 828AD detailing the history of the indigenous British people), the history of the red dragon can be traced back to the 5th century.
According to legend, Vortigern, King of the Celtic Britons in the 5th century, wanted to build a new castle on a hillside around 23km (14 miles) south of Caernarfon in North Wales.
However, his men and the materials for the castle kept disappearing. As he tried to find out why, a young boy named Emrys from Camarthen (who later became Merlin the Magician), warned him that beneath the hill were two sleeping dragons and an underground lake.
Vortigern’s instructed his men to keep digging at the site and they did indeed find a lake and two dragons, a red one and a white one. The boy explained to Vortigen that the red dragon represented him and his people, whilst the white dragon represented the Saxons, who occupied much of Britain at that time.
The two dragons fought and eventually the red dragon, which was considered the weakest, won and the white one was dispelled from the tent in which they fought.
The castle was then built and named after the boy, Dinas Emrys. This is how the red dragon became the symbol of Wales.
Why is the Welsh Flag Red, White and Green?
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The red part of the Welsh flag is the dragon, of “Y Ddraig Coch” as it is often referred to in Wales has been around since the 5th century.
The white and green colours of the Welsh flag originate from the Tudors, who were of Welsh descent. White and green were the colours of their livery.
Green and white are also the colours of another national emblem for Wales which is the leek.
Related Questions
Does the Welsh Dragon Have a Name?
The red Welsh dragon on the flag is often referred to as “Y Ddraig Coch” which literally translates as 'the red dragon' in Welsh. However, in more recent times, the dragon has been given the informal name of "Dewi", which is the Welsh word for “David” and refers to St David, the patron saint of Wales.
Which 3 Countries Have a Dragon on Their Flag?
There are only 3 countries in the world whose flag feature a dragon, and these are:
- Bhutan
- Wales
- Malta
What Was on the Welsh Flag Before the Dragon?
Throughout history, dating as far back as the 5th century, Wales has used the dragon as its emblem.
Before the Welsh flag as we know it today, ruler Owain Glyndwr once flew a flag that depicted a golden dragon after attacking Caernarfon Castle in 1401.
The current version of the Welsh flag has been in existence since 1959.
Published: 10 May 2022 · Last updated: 28 June 2023