March 1st, known to most across Wales as Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant and the rest of the isles as Saint David’s Day, the anniversary of the death of the patron saint of Cymru, St David, and a celebration of not only the saint’s life but also the culture and traditions of Wales. Often celebrated with the wearing of leeks, daffodils and traditional Welsh dress, along with an over-indulgence in Welsh foods like Cawl, Bara Brith and Welsh Cakes. The celebrations are held all over Wales, but large celebratory parades are concentrated where populations are also concentrated, such as Cardiff, Swansea or Wrexham.
To best understand the traditions of St David’s Day we must heed the advice of fictional historian Mr. Hunham – “Before you dismiss something as boring or irrelevant remember, if you truly want to understand the present or yourself, you must begin in the past. You see history is not just the study of the past, it is an explanation of the present”.
St David was supposedly a descendent of the royal family of 4th century Ceredigion, who founded a monastery in Glyn Rhosyn, the location of St Davis’s Cathedral today. David gained popularity amongst the Celtic Christians of the time due to his teachings and lifelong abstinence, while Glyn Rhosyn became the hub of Christianity in Wales and the further founding of over 1000 monasteries in Wales.
On the 1st of March 589 is when David was believed to have died, his final words being “Brothers be ye constant. The yoke which with single mind ye have taken, bear ye to the end; and whatsoever ye have seen with me and heard, keep and fulfil."
David was canonized to St David by Pope Callixtus II in 1120.
So why do we celebrate Wales through daffodils and leeks? Leeks became a symbol of Wales when during the Battle of Crécy in the 14th century where Welsh longbowmen wore leeks on their helmets when fighting the French in a leek field. This act was done partly in commemoration of a famous tale of St David ordering Welsh soldiers, in a battle against Saxons, to wear leeks on their head to distinguish themselves from their enemies.
The daffodil is a newer symbol in Wales, while the leek has a few stories surrounding its symbolic nature, the daffodil is debated between political and natural. In 1911, David Lloyd George, the only British prime minister to speak Welsh as a first language, argued that the daffodil should become a symbol of Wales and wore one during Edward III inauguration as Prince of Wales. It also helps that the flower blooms around the beginning of March.
The food side of the celebrations is easy enough to explain with a simple “What celebrations don’t enjoy food?” especially national holidays and cultural food. Cawl in the south of Lobscaws in the north tick the savoury box for a meal while Welsh cakes act as the sweet treats that make the day unique.
So, this St David’s Day I and the rest of us at YYFM hope that you enjoy your day of Welsh celebration, enjoy the cultures and history of our country and possibly eat a few too many Welsh cakes!
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