SAINT David's Day is the feast day of the patron saint of Wales - but what is it all about? 

Wales are celebrating St David's Day today, 1 March, with the Welsh being praised for their resilience and "sacrifices" by the First Minister.

What is St David's Day?

Known as St David's Day or the Feast of Saint David the Welsh holiday falls on 1 March, the date of Saint David's death in 589 AD. 

The feast day has been celebrated since the 12th century when St David was officially recognised as a saint by Pope Callixtus II - however, it's not a public holiday in the UK nor is it a bank holiday in Wales. 

Who was St David?

St David was born in the year 500, the grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda, King of Ceredigion.

According to legend, his mother St Non gave birth to him on a Pembrokeshire clifftop during a fierce storm.

The spot is marked by the ruins of Non’s Chapel, and a nearby holy well is said to have healing powers. 

St David became a renowned preacher, founding monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Brittany and southwest England – including, possibly, the abbey at Glastonbury.

Bournemouth Echo:

St David's Cathedral in Wales - (Image unsplash)

St David reputedly made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, from which he brought back a stone that now sits in an altar at St Davids Cathedral, built on the site of his original monastery.

Many miracles have been attributed to him, the most incredible of these was said to have been performed when he was preaching at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi.

When people at the back complained that they could not hear him, the ground on which he stood rose up to form a hill. A white dove, sent by God, settled on his shoulder. 

Why is it celebrated? 

St David died on 1 March – St David’s Day - in 589. He was buried at the site of St Davids Cathedral, where his shrine was a popular place of pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages.

His last words to his followers came from a sermon he gave on the previous Sunday: ‘Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.’

The phrase ‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd’ - ‘Do the little things in life’ - is still a well-known maxim in Wales. 

He was a wealthy man and a fountain of knoweldge that had a profound and lasting impact on Wales and Welsh heritage. 

How is it celebrated? 

To mark the day, Welsh people around the world wear one or both of Wales's national emblems - a daffodil and a leek.

Special concerts and parades are also held in St David's honour.

The tradition of eating and wearing leeks on St David’s Day supposedly goes back to the 6th century.

The soldiers of the British king Cadwaladyr were encouraged to wear leeks in their helmets to help them recognise fellow countrymen during a battle with the Saxons.

Bournemouth Echo:

Leeks were hailed as a cure for the cold, protecting soldiers against wounds in battle, and even for keeping away evil spirits.

Entries in the household accounts of the ‘Welsh’ Tudor Kings of England, record payments for leeks worn by the household guards on St David’s Day.

Daffodils, which are in bloom around this time of year, have only become another national symbol for Wales in the 19th century.

St David's feast day became a national festival during the 18th century.

Although many associate St David with leeks or daffodils, his personal symbol is actually the dove, after one was said to have rested on his shoulder during a miracle.