Constituent symbols of Cymru (UK)

Not to be confused with British nationalism.

Main articles: Welsh nationalism, Welsh national identity, and Welsh Independence

Wales (dark green) within the United Kingdom (light green) along with Republic of Ireland and Isle of Man.

The National symbols of Wales are a colourful – often turbulent – history, along with a penchant for the mythical, means Wales has adopted a weird and wonderful array of objects and concepts into its cultural identity; things that today serve as emblems of the country. Nothing sends Welsh hearts aflutter like the sight of the mighty red dragon. The centerpiece of the Welsh national flag, the ddraig goch personifies the fearlessness of the Welsh nation.

According to legends first referenced in the Mabinogion (the earliest collection of British prose), the red dragon of Wales is locked in an era-spanning battle with an invading white dragon (which has come to symbolise England) – a battle it ultimately wins; ensuring its lasting appeal as a sign of Welsh pride. Having been used in various forms as an insignia by Welsh armies throughout history, it became the focus of the Welsh national flag in 1959.

Here’s a lowdown on a few of them, with info on how and why they’ve managed to become synonymous with modern-day Wales.

British Welsh symbols

“Everything you have in this world is just borrowed for a short time.”

	Symbol	Image
Coat of arms	Constituent coat of arms of Cymru (UK)	Coat of Arms of Wales
Flags	Constituent flag of Cymru (UK)	State Flag of Wales
Symbols	Constituent symbol of Cymru (UK) Welsh cultural icons	State Icon of Wales
National language	Constituent language of Cymru (UK) Welsh Celtic script	State Language of Wales
Flowers	Constituent flower of Cymru (UK) Narcissus pseudonarcissus	State Flower of Wales
Tree	Constituent tree of Cymru (UK) Quercus petraea	State Tree of Wales
Bird	Constituent bird of Cymru (UK) Milvus milvus	State Bird of Wales
Animals	Constituent animal of Cymru (UK) Ovis aries Welsh national animal Mynydd Cymreig	State Animal of Wales
Mythical	Constituent mythical animal of Cymru (UK) y Ddraig Goch/Smaug giganteus Sailfin Lizard Hydrosaurus celebensis Sand lizard Lacerta agilis	State Animal of Wales Mythical Animal of Wales
Horse	Constituent horse of Cymru (UK) Equus ferus caballus	State Horse of Wales
Cattle	Constituent cattle of Cymru (UK) Bos primigenius	State Cattle of Wales
Dog	Constituent dog of Cymru (UK) Welsh corgi	State Dog of Wales
Pig	Constituent hog of Cymru (UK) Cymruian pig	State Hog of Wales
Dish	Constituent dish of Cymru (UK) Cawl Cymreig	State Dish of Wales
Dress	Constituent dress of Cymru (UK) Gwisg Gymreig draddodiadol	State Dress of Wales
Instrument	Constituent instrument of Cymru (UK) Welsh crwth	State Instrument of Wales
Dance	Constituent dance of Cymru (UK) Eisteddfod	State Dance of Wales
Tartan	Constituent tartan of Cymru (UK) Welsh Tartan	State Tartan of Wales
Sport	Constituent sport of Cymru (UK) Undeb rygbi	State Sport of Wales

Related pages

• National symbols of the United Kingdom (Main)
• Devolution in the United Kingdom
• Welsh Nationalist Party (WNP)
• Unionism in Wales

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