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Tattoo designs - R >> Red Welsh Dragon

Red Welsh Dragon Tattoo Designs - For those of Welsh heritage and family roots in Wales, the Red Welsh Dragon is one of the single most popular tattoo designs, as popular as the Rampant Lion is with the Scots, or the Lion Standard with the English. A symbol with a rich and ancient heraldic past, the Welsh Dragon has a fascinating history - just one of the many reasons it makes such a wonderful and powerful tattoo symbol that represents Welsh heritage.

At another famous battle - Bosworth, 1485 - the Welsh Henry Tudor, later to become King Henry VII of England, carried the Dragon banner when he fought to claim the English throne from Richard III. The Dragon represented his lineage to the ancient kings of Britain, many of them of Welsh blood. Some also saw it as Henry's tribute to the people of Wales, whose support made victory possible for him.

But this mythic creature didn't swim to the British Isles on its own. This well-traveled mythical creature was apparently adopted by the Romans from their enemies in Asia during the 3rd century AD, and was subsequently brought to Britain by the Roman Legions. By the time the Romans pulled out of Britain at the end of the 4th century AD, the Dragon became the preferred national symbol by those who identified with their Romanized lifestyle over that offered by the attacking Saxons. Since then, the Dragon in various forms passed back and forth amongst the warring leaders of the British Isles.

When exactly the Dragon became identified with Welsh nationality is a date lost in the mists of time. The ancient Welsh poet, Aneirin (circa 6th century AD) took the Welsh word for dragon and re-coined it as a term for 'leader'. The interpretation stuck and thereafter a Red Dragon emerged as a symbol of national independence in the struggles with the Saxons who flew the White Dragon. Arthur, the legendary Celtic king, bore the Red Dragon on his battle standard.

So, why doesn't the Welsh Dragon appear on the Union Flag of the United Kingdom? Answer -- because Wales is considered part of the Kingdom of England. More trivia -- what is the only country besides Wales to display the Dragon on its national flag? Answer -- the tiny kingdom of Bhutan.

Officially, the Welsh Dragon may appear in a variety of styles, but The College of Arms in London stipulates that it be 'passant' (walking with its right paw raised), must face to the left, and must cover equal parts of the white and green panels, the national colours of Wales.

The emblem of the Red Dragon, along with the Leek, is proudly displayed on the shirts of the great Welsh Rugby Team, considered one of the greatest rugby teams in history.

Get inspired by some great images and photos in our Red Welsh Dragon Inspiration Gallery

Tattoo Johnny Tattoo Designs - Check out all these different red dragon tattoo designs by some of the world's top tattoo artists and illustrators.

Tattoo designs - R >> Red Welsh Dragon

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