Saint David’s Day – Wales' Official Holiday
01 Mar 2024
Saint David's Day is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales. Celebrated on 1st March, the date of Saint David’s death in 589 AD, it is Wales' official holiday.
Customs and Traditions
Customs include the wearing of daffodils and leeks; since daffodils are a recognised symbol of Wales and leeks are a recognised symbol of Saint David.
Additional customs include wearing traditional Welsh dress, partaking in local parades and concerts, and eating traditional Welsh food.
Woman in traditional Welsh dress (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Saint David’s Day parade in Cardiff (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Welsh Food
Traditional Welsh food typically includes cawl or Welsh rarebit.
Cawl
Cawl is a soup or broth made with lamb or beef, leeks, potatoes, swedes, carrots, and other seasonal vegetables.
Cawl, a traditional Welsh dish (Source: Wikimedia Commons )
Welsh rarebit
Welsh rarebit is a hot savoury cheese sauce mixed with other ingredients and poured over toasted bread.
Despite the name 'Welsh rarebit' no rabbit meat is included in the dish.
And while it might look and sound like regular cheese-on-toast, there's more to it. You toast the bread on both sides – before you add any cheese. You then pour the melted cheese over the bread and put the whole thing under the grill to brown off and become crispy.
Still not convinced? Ask your Welsh friend what the difference is between Welsh rarebit and cheese-on-toast. The chances are, they will list many reasons why they are in different leagues. However, if you ask nicely and wish them a Happy Saint David's Day, they might offer to make you some.
Welsh rarebit, a traditional Welsh dish (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
The Saint David’s Day / Leydon Logo
The Leydon logo symbolises the flag of Saint David.
Saint David’s flag is a yellow/gold cross on a black background, similar to Saint George's flag.
The Leydon logo also occupies the canton space on the flag – the top hoist corner.
The canton space on a flag often shows affiliation or unity to the country or organisation occupying it.
Common Wealth countries' flags – such as Australia and New Zealand – often have the Union Jack occupying their flags' canton space.
Saint David’s Day Leydon Logo Design
However you’re celebrating, whoever you’re celebrating with, we hope you have a Happy Saint David's Day!
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus (Happy St David’s Day)!