National symbols of Wales

Flags

Main article: List of Welsh flags

Heraldry

Main article: Welsh heraldry

British (formerly English) monarchy heraldry

Anthem

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is the traditional national anthem of Wales. The words were written by Evan James and the tune was composed by his son, James James, both residents of Pontypridd, Glamorgan, in January 1856. The earliest written copy survives and is part of the collections of the National Library of Wales.

Flora and fauna

Welsh Language

The Welsh language is considered a symbol and icon of Wales and considered a "cornerstone of Welsh identity". Spoken throughout Wales by around 750,000 people, it is present on television, radio, road signs and road markings.

Welsh mottos

• "Cymru am byth" ("Wales forever") is a popular Welsh motto.
• "Pleidiol Wyf i'm Gwlad" ("I am true to my country"), taken from the National Anthem of Wales, appears on the 2008 Royal Badge of Wales, the Welsh Seal used during the reign of Elizabeth II and on the edge of £1 coins that depict Welsh symbols.
• "Y Ddraig Goch Ddyry Cychwyn" ("the red dragon inspires action" / "the red dragon shall lead") appeared on the Royal Badge of Wales when it was created in 1953 until 2008. It also appeared on £1 coins as the motto of Cardiff.

People

Cultural

Art

The earliest known dated lovespoon from Wales, displayed in the St Fagans National History Museum near Cardiff, is from 1667, although the tradition is believed to date back long before that.

Costume

Main article: Traditional Welsh costume

The unique Welsh hat, which first made its appearance in the 1830s, was used as an icon of Wales from the 1840s.

From the 1880s, when the traditional costume had gone out of general use, selected elements of it became adopted as a national costume. From then on it was worn by women at events such as Royal visits, by choirs, at church and chapel, for photographs and occasionally at eisteddfodau. It was first worn by girls as a celebration on Saint David's Day just before the First World War. The costume is now recognised as the national dress of Wales.

Food and drink

Main article: Welsh cuisine

Music

Male voice choirs are considered a Welsh symbol. Traditional members of the movement include the Treorchy choir and the Morriston choir. More recently, the success Only Men Aloud has also played a part in continuing this tradition.

The Welsh harp, also known as the triple harp is considered to be the national instrument of Wales.

References

References

1. (9 September 2023). "Rugby World Cup: What is the history of Wales' national flag?".
2. The arms and flag have four squares alternating in gold and red (representing the Royal House of Aberffraw and iron, or Mars the god of War). Each square has a lion of the opposite colour. The lion is looking at the observer and has 3 paws on the ground and one raised high in the air ("passant guardant"); the tongue is stuck-out ("langued") and the claws outstretched claws ("armed"). Both are blue ("Azur". This represents primacy in Wales).
3. WalesOnline. (2004-09-15). "Flying the flag to remember Glyndwr".
4. "BBC Wales - History - Themes - Welsh flag: Banner of Owain Glyndwr".
5. "BBC - Wales - History - Themes - Flag of St David".
6. (1904). "Chronicon Adae de Usk, A.D. 1377–1421". London : H. Frowde.
7. (1892). "The scholar's history of England ..". H. Milford.
8. "Red Dragon of Wales".
9. Williams, Ifor. (1959). "Gwrtheyrn (Vortigern)".
10. (2019-07-06). "Wales history: Why is the red dragon on the Welsh flag?". BBC News.
11. Depicted in Cambridge Corpus Christi College Parker Library MS 16 II, fol. 170r (''[[Chronica Majora]]'', c. 1250).
12. "Medieval copper alloy armorial mount".
13. (2008-07-09). "First Welsh law's royal approval".
14. Williams, Nino. (2018-11-25). "The uncomfortable truth about the three feathers symbol embraced by Wales".
15. Burson, Sam. (2 March 2007). "Stop using my Three Feathers". [[Media Wales.
16. "Daffodils, leeks and ruffled feathers: do national symbols matter?".
17. David, Corrie. (2021-11-02). "Thousands sign petition for WRU to change emblem to a dragon".
18. Williams, Nino. (2018-11-25). "The uncomfortable truth about the three feathers symbol embraced by Wales".
19. (2021-10-30). "Yes Cymru propose alternative crests for WRU that ditch the three feathers".
20. (2014). "Welsh National Anthem". [[Welsh Government]].
21. (1 December 2008). "Welsh anthem – The background to Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau". [[BBC Cymru Wales]].
22. Ben Johnson. "The Leek - National emblem of the Welsh". Historic UK.
23. (2019-07-03). "National symbols of Wales".
24. (2019-07-03). "National symbols of Wales".
25. (2004-07-23). "Tree trail with worldwide flavour".
26. [http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?view=print&id=tcm:9-176206 The RSPB: Red kite voted Wales' Favourite Bird]
27. (2019-07-03). "National symbols of Wales".
28. (6 February 2015). "Cymru am byth! The meaning behind the Welsh motto". [[WalesOnline]].
29. "December 2008 Newsletter (No. 19)". [[College of Arms]].
30. (9 July 2008). "First Welsh law's royal approval".
31. (15 December 2011). "Signed, sealed, delivered: Queen approves Welsh seal".
32. "The £1 Coin - The United Kingdom £1 Coin". [[Royal Mint]].
33. "NATO Summit Wales 2014 logo unveiled".
34. (8 August 2008). "Welsh Flag: An official emblem".
35. (2008). "The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales". University of Wales Press.
36. Christine Stevens, 'Welsh Peasant Dress – Workwear or National Costume', ''[[Textile History]] 33, 63–78 (2002)''
37. Davies, John. (2008). "The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales". University of Wales Press.
38. (2022-08-02). "Celebrating the Welsh harp and our traditional Celtic folk roots".