Let's Discuss... Welsh traditions and symbols.

As I am writing this, it is currently the 1st of March which is also known as St David's Day in Wales. So, to any Welsh readers, Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

Origins of Saint David's Day:

Saint David was recognised as the national patron saint in the 12th century at the height of Welsh resistance to the Normans and was canonised by Pope Callixtus II. At the moment, St David's Day is not considered a national holiday, unlike Saint Patrick's Day, however, the 1st of March is a day of celebration. During my time in school, the 1st of March meant a 'day off' where we would take part in an Eisteddfod/Eisteddfodau (pronounced Ice - steth - vod / Ice - steth - vod - eye) celebrating Welsh culture including singing Welsh songs, dressing up in our national costume, and writing poems and stories about Welsh culture - such as the story of Beddgelert.

The picture below is a stained-glass depiction of Saint David, designed by William Burges, at Castell Coch, Cardiff.

According to Juliet Eysenck and Telegraph Reporters, 'He helped to spread the word of Christianity, and he founded around 12 monasteries in his lifetime'. He was also known for performing miracles where he 'raised the ground beneath him into a hill so his sermon could be heard by all' whilst preaching to a crowd at the Synod of Brefi.

Saint David's Day is celebrated in many ways, along with the previously mentioned Eisteddfod/Eisteddfodau, parades are often to mark the celebration of Welsh heritage and culture. These parades have taken place in Cardiff, Colwyn Bay, Swansea, and the list even includes Disneyland Paris!

In 2013, Disneyland Paris celebrated St David's Day which saw Mickey and Minnie dressed up in traditional Welsh costumes.

Traditional Dress:

The traditional costume of Wales was often worn by rural women in the nineteenth century, it was easier to identify them as Welsh in comparison to rural English women. The costume consisted of a 'bedgown', a skirt and underskirt, cape or mantle, the shawl, apron, and the Welsh hat or bonnet. Today, many girls wear the costume on the Feast of Saint David, or when attending an Eisteddfod. The first image below, dated c. 1875.

Lady Llanover, or Augusta Hall (1802-96) was a pioneer for the costume of Wales. She was also known as a 'patron of the Welsh arts'. Born near Abergavenny, where she was 'heiress to the Llanover estate'. 1834 saw her essay 'The Advantages resulting from the Preservation of the Welsh language and National Costume of Wales' win a prize and was published in both Welsh and English. Watercolours of Welsh costumes were commissioned, depicting women from south Wales and Cardiganshire in costume. Thirteen of these prints were reproduced, but they were mainly used for friends and servants to create dresses.

1850 saw the establishment of 'Y Gymraes' or 'The Welshwoman' which was the first Welsh-language periodical for women. Llanover also played an important part during the Temperance movement where she closed public houses on her estate, replacing them with temperance inn's, such as Y Seren Gobaith, or 'The Star of Hope'.

Second Image: Augusta Hall by Charles Augustus Mornewick

Leeks and Daffodils:

Daffodils, or Narcissus, or 'Cennin Pedr' which translates as 'Peter's leek', can be different colours including white and yellow, or yellow and orange, and even pink! They became popular in Europe after the 16th century, and now they have become a feature of our dining tables freshly cut from gardens, or bought from supermarkets. In some cultures, the Daffodil are classed as unlucky due to the way their 'heads' hang, for example in Ancient Greece the flowers were planted near tombs. However, they also bring joy and freshness as spring starts. There is no better feeling than seeing those Daffodils finally flower, and knowing that Spring is just around the corner breaking away from the darkness that winter brings.

In Wales, the daffodil 'replaced' the leek with David Lloyd George's influence who was an advocate for the flower to become the symbol of Wales.

The leek is a topic of conversation. Some may say that it was a symbol of identification for soldiers during a battle against the Saxons, however, others also say that it provided substance for Saint David who only ate leeks whilst fasting. Shakespeare also wrote about the leek and its 'Welshness'. In Henry V, a conversation between Henry V and Fluellen, Fluellen says 'the Welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps; which, your majesty know, to this hour is an honourable badge of the service'. King Henry then replies with 'I wear it for a memorable honour; For I am Welsh, you know, good countryman'. The character of Fluellen, similar to 'Llewelyn' was based upon stereotypes of Welsh characters, whilst being depicted as wordy and overly serious. However, Shakespeare made Fluellen into a 'well-defined and likable individual who tends to work against the limitations of his stereotype'.

Eisteddfod:

The purpose of an Eisteddfod is to revive 'Welsh-language, literature, poetry, and culture'. This also includes the 'Chairing of the Bard' who writes a verse or a poem on a predetermined theme. The first Eisteddfod that was documented was hosted by Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd in 1176, including a tournament involving bards and musicians. However, interest declined during the 17th and 18th century, but the 1789 eisteddfod in Corwen saw a revival in interest in Welsh literature and music.