St. David's Day 2022

Happy Mardi Gras, readers! You think I'd display something purple, green, and gold so why is a Welsh national flag flying at our front door today?

In the Christian world in the West, March 1 is celebrated as St. David's Day. He was born in Wales in the 6th century, attained sainthood in the 12th century, and today is recognized as the patron saint of Wales. The traditional day of his death is March 1 with the years 589 or 601 recognized as the most likely years. Dewi San (St. David) was buried in the cathedral bearing his name in Pembrokeshire. In his lifetime he was recognized as an extraordinary force for Christian evangelism as well as Welsh nationalism. I doubt there could ever be a better day to celebrated the National Day of Wales than March 1.

Although the red dragon on a green and white field has been associated with Wales since the 15th century the design was not adopted officially as the national flag until 1959.

German traditions may remain strong in my family but I'm equally proud to say that I have Welsh ancestors - and their big Viking infusion -  thanks to the bloodline introduced by my grandmother's parents. They immigrated to the United States from Cardiff, Wales, in the early 1870's. Although I don't remember my grandmother - she died before my second birthday - my father always reminded me of her Celtic pride and Welsh ancestry expressed especially in a love for song and singing.

The nation they left is a small, ancient country located southwest of England between the Bristol Channel and the Irish Sea south of the Isle of Man. The region has a rich cultural heritage beginning with Celtic peoples in the early Iron Age. Its isolation left them with strong genetic identifiers as the "last of the 'true' Britons." There are only 3 million people living in Wales today. Historically, the population was never large but there was a limited diaspora beginning two centuries ago particularly with the Industrial Revolution and its need for coal. 

Only half of one percent of Americans claim Welsh ancestry. I'm pleased to be among them.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus

Sources


Photos and Illustrations:
Welsh flag, public domain image, Open Clipart Library

Text:
wales.com
wikipedia.com