Every first of March, people across Wales and the Welsh diaspora pin one of two emblems to their coats: a leek, or a daffodil. Both are national symbols of Wales, both are worn on Saint David's Day, and the two are more closely connected than they first appear. So what do the daffodil and the leek mean, and how did a vegetable and a spring flower come to stand for a nation?
Quick Answer: What Are the National Symbols of Wales?
The two floral national symbols of Wales are the leek and the daffodil. The leek is the older emblem, tied to Saint David and to Welsh soldiers who are said to have worn leeks in battle to identify one another. The daffodil is a more modern symbol, popularised in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and is closely linked to the leek through the Welsh language. Both are traditionally worn on Saint David's Day, the first of March.
Why Is the Leek a Symbol of Wales?
The leek is the ancient national emblem of Wales, and its associations run deep. Tradition connects it to Saint David (Dewi Sant), the patron saint of Wales, and to a battle in which Welsh soldiers are said to have worn leeks in their caps to tell friend from foe against their enemies. Whether or not the battlefield story is literally true, the leek was long established as a mark of Welsh identity, and it is still worn with pride on Saint David's Day. Welsh soldiers in the British army have carried the leek as a regimental emblem for centuries.
Why Is the Daffodil Also a Welsh Symbol?
The daffodil became more popular as a Welsh emblem during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Museum Wales notes that David Lloyd George promoted its use, including at the 1911 investiture ceremonies at Caernarfon. Welsh cenhinen means leek and cenhinen Bedr is a name for the daffodil. The linguistic resemblance is interesting, but it should not be presented as proof of a single moment when one emblem replaced the other.
Which Should You Wear on Saint David's Day?
Both are correct, and the choice is largely one of taste. The leek is the older, more traditional emblem, favoured by those who like its long history and its regimental associations. The daffodil is the prettier, more modern choice, and is especially popular as it flowers just in time for the day. Many people wear one or the other; some wear both. There is no wrong answer — both proclaim Welsh heritage with pride.
How Do These Fit Into Welsh Heritage?
The leek and the daffodil are the floral emblems of Wales, worn to celebrate Welsh identity on Saint David's Day and beyond. For families tracing Welsh roots, they are part of a wider heritage that includes the distinctive patterns of Welsh surnames and family history. If you are exploring your own Welsh ancestry, our guide on how to trace your Welsh family name is a good place to begin, and our Welsh heritage gift guide shows what we carry for Welsh surnames. You can also browse our Welsh gifts collection for surname mugs, blankets and flags.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national symbol of Wales?
Wales has two floral national symbols: the leek, the older emblem tied to Saint David, and the daffodil, a more modern symbol. Both are worn on Saint David's Day.
Why do Welsh people wear leeks?
The leek is linked to Saint David and to a tradition of Welsh soldiers wearing leeks in battle to identify one another. It has been a mark of Welsh identity for centuries.
Why is the daffodil a symbol of Wales?
The daffodil became popular as a Welsh emblem during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. David Lloyd George helped promote it, including at the 1911 investiture ceremonies. It is now widely associated with Saint David’s Day.
When is Saint David's Day?
Saint David's Day falls on the first of March, celebrating the patron saint of Wales.
Celebrate Your Welsh Roots
For a St David’s Day gift, start with the person’s own name or place rather than assuming a floral motif. Our St David’s Day gift guide compares current options and explains how to make the choice personal.
Celtic Ancestry Gifts is a family-run store preserving the stories behind Welsh, Scottish and Irish family names, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Historical reference: Museum Wales: national emblems.