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The inspiration for our shop name was, of course, that amazing creature on the Welsh flag.
But where did this splendid symbol of the dragon “pasant” come from . . . ?
It is claimed that the Romans used a “draco” as a banner. This was a device with a dragon-like head on a pole with a long tube of cloth behind. As the soldiers galloped to battle the “body” would stretch out as it filled with wind and there was a whistle in the head which made a noise. Sometimes cinders were placed in the head and it would blow out smoke. The Emperor Trojan declared in the year 104 that every cohort had to carry the “draco” and so the dragon came to Wales.
After the adventures of Macsen Wledig (Magnus Maximus) left Wales an independent Wales, the dragon remained as a symbol for the country. Later Harry Tudor would use the dragon flag in the battle of Bosworth. During the reign of the Tudors the red dragon remained on the royal standard but with the arrival of the Stewarts it was removed to make way for the unicorn.
This was the situation until 1953 when the Queen ordered that the royal badge for Wales should include, under the crown, the red dragon on a green and silver background. It also included the motto: “Y Ddraig Goch a Ddyry Gychwyn” (The Red Dragon Makes a Start).
The Welsh Office (created in 1951) started to use the flag and on February 28th 1958 came the order from the Minister for Wales that only the Red Dragon was to be flown on government buildings in Wales, and where appropriate in London.
Today the Red Dragon is recognised as a National symbol for Wales and it may be seen flying proudly everywhere in Wales and also wherever there are Welsh people across the world.
