In celebration of a saint

On 1 March, celebrations take place across Wales in honour of the country’s patron saint. St David lived in the 6th century, and was canonised in 1120. Little is known of his life, but he is thought to have travelled widely in Wales and Cornwall, and possibly even to Jerusalem. He became an archbishop and founded St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. Today, to mark his name day, girls and women don traditional Welsh dress of red shawls and black chimney hats. Two of Wales’ national emblems, the daffodil and leek, are used as colourful accessories during the celebrations.