EVERY year in the run up to St. David’s Day the people of Wales pin on their choice of national emblem – a leek or a daffodil.
But history may prove your daffodil is meaningless.
Whereas the story of the leek dates back to the sixth century battle against the Saxons, when St David ordered his men to wear a leek in their helmets to be able to identify each other. Possible from the smell.
Later, Henry VIII gave a leek to his daughter on March 1 and some argue the Tudors’ choice of green and white family colours was a result of the national emblem.
In Shakespeare’s play, Henry V, the King explains the reason he is wearing a leek: “I wear it for a memorable honour; For I am Welsh, you know, good countryman.”
In fact, the only connection between the daffodil and St David’s Day is that the Welsh translation of the spring flower is “Peter’s leek” (cennin pedr).
The idea of wearing a daffodil on March 1 came when Welsh-born prime minister David Lloyd George wore it on the national day.
Today the traditional vegetable and the more modern flower compete to be the most popular choice on lapels all over the country. But, if you want to celebrate our patron saint’s day in the true spirit of yore, wear a leek. They make better soup.
