In Welsh, the dragon is commonly referred to as "Y Ddraig Goch", which literally translates to "the red dragon". It's also sometimes known as the "dragon of Cadwalader". Cadwalader was a king in the Middle Ages who was one of the first people to use the red dragon we recognise today as their emblem.
Later Welsh "dragons" include Owain Gwynedd, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and Owain Glyndŵr. The red dragon appears in the ancient Mabinogion story of Lludd and Llefelys where it is confined, battling with an invading white dragon, at Dinas Emrys.
Cadwaladr. As an emblem, the red dragon of Wales has been used since the reign of Cadwaladr, King of Gwynedd from around 655AD. The Red Welsh dragon is often described as the "Red Dragon of Cadwaladr" for this reason.
It is considered that the Welsh kings of Aberffraw first adopted the dragon in the early fifth century in order to symbolise their power and authority after the Romans withdrew from Britain. Later, around the seventh century, it became known as the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr, king of Gwynedd from 655 to 682.
St David's Day is a day dedicated to the patron saint of Wales, St David – or Dewi Sant in Welsh. As a symbol of Wales and star of the Welsh flag, Damian the dragon is the guest of honour at many of the dragon-themed festivals that take place up and down the country in celebration.
The white dragon (Welsh: Y Ddraig Wen) is a symbol associated in Welsh mythology with the Anglo-Saxons.
The young Merlin told Vortigern the red dragon represented his people (native Britons) in their upcoming battles against the invading Saxon armies (who would become the Anglo-Saxons).
The Celtic Dragon is a mighty mystical creature that represents sovereignty, power, or a chief or leader of a clan, such as Pendragon the Celtic word meaning 'chief. ' Raising power is to invoke the “Eye of the Dragon.”
Vortigern sets the dragons free from their hole and eventually, the red dragon defeats the white one, and peace returns to Wales. The red dragon's victory is used as a prophecy of the coming of King Arthur (the Arthurian legends also have very strong links with Wales and Snowdonia in particular).
Unlike the typical evil, malevolent, greedy dragons of Western/European folklore, the Welsh Dragon was seen as a fierce but a benevolent creature similar to the benevolent dragons in Eastern countries like China and Japan. The dragon is one of Wales' most recognizable symbols and appears on the National flag.
It is considered that the Welsh kings of Aberffraw first adopted the dragon in the early fifth century in order to symbolise their power and authority after the Romans withdrew from Britain.
Ddraig Goch - the Red Dragon once represented the old Welsh God Dewi, who later became Wales's mythical patron Saint David. The Red Dragon represents the sovereignty of Britain, and is the totemic beast of the greatest line of kings, the Pen-dragons. Ddraig Goch has one talon raised in defiance!
Red Dragon
Notes: The Wales Flag, or Red Dragon, or Y Ddraig Goch, is the national flag of this constituent nation of the United Kingdom. The design – a large red dragon on a white and green background – was officially adopted in 1959.
The Welsh word 'draig' means dragon, but also 'warrior' or 'leader'. And the first tale of the 'Y Ddraig Goch' (the red dragon) was written around 828 A.D.
The traditional national animal is the Red Dragon a symbol that resplendently adorns the Welsh flag.
Dragons really did roam around Wales. But about 200 million years ago. Scientists have found the skull and bones of a huge beast near Penarth. The creature has been named Dracoraptor hanigani and is one of the world's oldest Jurassic dinosaurs.
The captured dragons were buried at the place later called Dinas Emrys, as it was regarded as the safest place to put them. The main entrance to the fort is on the northern side of the hill and traces of a ruined medieval tower 36 feet by 24 feet have been found on the summit.
By 1216, Llywelyn was the most powerful ruler in Wales. Following King John's death, Llywelyn continued fighting with his successor, Henry III. They made peace in 1234 which lasted until Llywelyn's death.
Was Arthur Welsh? Yes and no. Wales didn't exist in the 5th century, neither did England, so he's very hard to pin behind modern national borders.
From Old Irish dragán, an English or Romance loanword, ultimately from Latin dracō, from Ancient Greek δράκων (drákōn, “a serpent of huge size, a python, a dragon”).
However, although the word "drakaina" is literally the feminine form of drakon (Ancient Greek for dragon or serpent), most drakainas had some features of a human woman.
In Scottish folklore, the beithir is a large snakelike creature or dragon.
The Welsh dragon does not appear on the Union Flag. This is because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, the Principality of Wales by that time was already united with England and was no longer a separate principality.
The dragon and the flag
The dragon appeared on the battle flags of various British soldiers on their way to Rome in the 4th century. It was later adopted by 5th century Welsh kings who were keen to show their authority following the Roman withdrawal.
Why doesn't the Welsh dragon appear on the Union Flag? The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England from the 13th century.