Mar 01, 2019
St. David's Day 2019
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates St. David’s Day, a day that honors the patron saint of Wales, who has been commemorated by Welsh people since Dewi Sant’s canonization in the 12th century. St. David is said to have lived more than 100 years, founding many churches and monasteries before becoming archbishop. The grand medieval St. David’s Bishop’s Palace, located in the coastal city of St. Davids, conveys the enormity of his legacy.
The leek became a national symbol of Wales after St. David recommended that soldiers wear leeks in their caps so they would know who was who on the battlefield. Welsh soldiers still eat raw leeks on St. David’s Day while many citizens pin them on their clothes to mark the occasion and enjoy a traditional meal of cawl cymreig, a tasty stew of leeks and lamb (although St. David was reportedly a vegetarian).
If you find yourself in Cardiff today, don’t miss the National St. David’s Day Parade, a festive procession featuring Y Ddraig Goch, the red dragon seen on the Welsh flag. Y Ddraig Goch also stars in today’s Doodle by UK-based guest artist Lesley Barnes, accompanied by a Welsh girl in traditional garb, proudly holding Wales’ national flower: daffodils.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! (Happy St. David’s Day!)
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