Victoria Harman: The Welsh Dragon

The Welsh Dragon (Ddraig Gymreig)

Representation of Wales and national emblem
First seen in Great Britain as the "draco", a standard carried by the Romans
The ancient Welsh poets, Aneirin and Taliesin used the word 'draig' (dragon) to refer to Welsh warriors
Oldest record of use as symbol of Welsh independence in Historia Brittonum (c. 830 AD), though it was also the mythical 'battle standard' for King Arthur and other ancient Celtic rulers
Historia Brittonum includes the story of the red dragon fighting the white dragon (Saxons)
This story begins in the Mabinogion, and is called "Lludd and Llevelys"
Became Welsh symbol through Tudor ancestors of King Henry VII, Edmund and Jasper Tudor
In 1485 dragon flag presented when Henry Tudor battled Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth
The first flag was similar to the modern one, a red dragon on a field of white and green
In 1901 the dragon became the official symbol of Wales
In 1959 the queen made Tudor's flag the official flag of Wales

Below: the Welsh flag atop the highest turret of Harlech Castle

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Sources: Westair, welshicons.org.uk