Dragons have long fascinated humans around the world. From the ethereal, elongated dragons of the Far East to the multi-headed beasts of Mediterranean lore, dragons have been a part of human culture (while having never actually existed) for centuries. Right now, we seem to be amidst another wave of dragon hype.
Most likely spurred on by the globe-trotting TV series Game of Thrones, which BI reported remains one of the world’s biggest shows, long after its questionable conclusion, people are incredibly fascinated by dragons right now. Be it in TV shows, films, games, or books, if it’s got a dragon, it’s got a selling point.
Given the flag, naturally, Wales currently has a booming selling point, with plenty of myths and tales to titillate all who come to visit.
Dragons Swooping Across Entertainment
Dragons are certainly not a uniform creature, with some being more bat-like in their form – like those depicted in Westeros – while others are more snake-like or sporting four legs and wings. The latter is, of course, the form of the Welsh Dragon, but it’s not the only one to become a key feature in modern entertainment.
Smaug remains among the most famous dragons in the world, as described by J.R.R. Tolkien in the early 20th Century. From there, we’ve seen dragons become a key part of the Westeros setting by George R.R. Martin, the Eragon series of books and the film, and of course the Welsh Dragon, Y Ddraig Goch, who even features in 2007 Marvel comics.
From films and shows, dragons are now also a popular theme in UK slots at online casinos. Most recently, the official House of the Dragon slot hit the virtual libraries, joining the two Game of Thrones games. It’s also nestled in there amongst several other hit dragon slots, like Sleeping Dragon and 3 Dragons: Rake it in.
With the famed creature boasting such potential energy for tourism and monetisation, it’s high-time that Wales took full advantage of their national symbol’s immense draw.
Welsh Dragon Poised for Action
The famed red dragon is said to have been personified by ancient leaders of the Celtic Britons. From there, it built a legacy as a symbol of strength and resilience, eventually becoming the national symbol of Wales. Despite the global reverence for these beasts, Wales remains one of just three national flags featuring a dragon.
Bhutan joins Wales as having a dragon as the centrepiece of the national flag, while the flag of Malta smuggles the dragon within the cross. Despite the current aesthetic only being officially adopted in 1959, it’s reported by HUK that it’s the oldest national flag to still be in use today.
Backing up this claim and Wales’ long-held ties to the mythical beasts is legend recalling the banners of Romano-British soldiers. Citing a 4th Century engagement, the records detail this red dragon flying high as the soldiers marched beneath it. For all this time, and likely longer, the red dragon has been the fear-inducing symbol of Welsh strength.
Interestingly, while many have circled around to the Welsh dragon when it’s seen on the hats, shirts, and banners of sports fans, it has also made a leap into entertainment on its own merits. In 2023, The Wyrm of Bwlch Pen Barras made its way to screens, depicting the dreaded dragon in a novel Welsh folk horror flick.
The Welsh Dragon is iconic, and while it always has been, the increased focus and love of dragons in modern entertainment has certainly taken it to a new level of intrigue worldwide.
