Leek Wales Symbol

The leek is the national emblem of wales.

Leek wales symbol. According to legend the patron saint of wales saint david ordered his welsh soldiers to identify themselves by wearing the leek on their helmets in an ancient battle against the saxons that took place in a leek field. The origins of the leek as a symbol or an emblem of wales and all things welsh are now lost in time but it is highly likely that they go back to the days of the druids the priests and holy men. David now associated with the leek was born into an aristocratic family on the south west coast of wales. But why is it that patriotic welshmen and women across the world attach this strong smelling member of the onion family to their clothing.

David lloyd george the only welshman to serve as prime minister was a public advocate of the narcissus its latin name and its appearance in early spring as a symbol of nature s. The leek and the daffodil an odd pair of national symbols the leek the connection between wales and the leek is obscure. It can be seen proudly pinned to the shirts of welsh rugby fans at matches all over the world. The leek is one of the national emblems of wales and it or the daffodil in welsh the daffodil is known as peter s leek cenhinen bedr is worn on st.

The origins of the national flower of wales appears to be as an attractive interloper introduced during the 19th century as a replacement for the humble leek. According to one legend an angel foretold the birth of david to st. The leek of course has been about for thousands of years and over that time has been used for medicinal purposes as well as food and even today leeks are worn by every member of a welsh regiment on st david s day however the other great symbol of wales the daffodil is certainly a less pungent addition to an outfit. The origin is also dramatized in shakespeare s henry v when the welsh captain fluellen remarked that welsh soldiers fought a battle.

Although the daffodil has been associated with wales since the 19 th century the leek pre dates it as a national symbol by thousands of years. Since then the leek has been a symbol of wales. Proudly sported every st. One version is that st david advised the britons on the.

Even the 1985 and 1990 british one pound coins bear the design of a leek in a coronet which represents wales. David s day on 1st march and at every international rugby match the leek is now widely recognised as the national symbol of wales. Wales rich past has given the country national symbols that represent its history people and values.