March 1st is the feast day of Saint David,the patron Saint of Wales. Although it's not an official holiday, in the United States St. David's Day is a day to celebrate Welsh heritage and culture. Welsh themed events are planned in many cities across the U.S. this week. In Boston,a concert by native Welshman Tom Jones is planned. Typical events include parades, Welsh wine and whiskey tastings and meals of Welsh foods such as leek soup, lamb chops, Welsh pot bread and Caerphilly Crumble.
Displaying the Welsh flag,wearing traditional costumes and wearing daffodils and leeks on your clothing are some of the ways you can celebrate your Welsh heritage on St. David's Day.
Who was Saint David?
Saint David was born near the end of the fifth century,less than a hundred years after the Romans left Wales. He was the only patron Saint of the Celtic nations who was a native of the country that adopted him as its patron. Not much is known about his life but many traditions and legends are associated with him. His mother was Non of the royal house of Ceridigion. He founded a Celtic monastic community at Glyn Rhosin in Western Wales where the Cathedral of St. David stands today.
St. David's most well known miracle was at Llanddewi Brefi where he caused the ground to rise underneath him,forming a hill that raised him high enough for all the people in the crowd to hear him speak. A white dove,a symbol of God's blessing, is said to have landed on his shoulder.
David's nickname was Dewi Ddyfrwr meaning David the Waterman,a reference to the harsh bread and water diet of the Celtic monks of the period.The monks pulled their own plows without the aid of horses and didn't eat meat or drink beer. This seems to be a stark contrast to the feasting and drinking of spirits that is practiced in his honor today.
Saint David died on March 1st. The year of his death is unknown but is believed to be from 588-590 AD. Some legends say he lived to the age of 147.
Daffodils and Leeks
On Saint David's Day it is traditional to wear a leek or a daffodil on your clothing to celebrate St. David. Many Welsh people wear both. During a battle with Saxons who were trying to overtake Wales it is said that St. David plucked leeks from the ground and asked the Welshmen to wear them on their clothing so they could tell friend from foe in the heat of battle.
Daffodils,of course, are the national flower of Wales so it is most appropriate that they be worn to celebrate it's patron Saint. Many Welsh people insist that the word daffodil is derived from the name David. Sounds good to me.
So wear your daffodils today (and leeks,too,if you have them) and celebrate the patron Saint of Wales. And in the last words of David, remember to "Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd" or "Do the little things in life."
