A Welsh wag recently joked on social media about the spate of St George’s flag graffiti appearing across Wales: “These filthy immigrants coming to our country and putting their flag all over the place, replacing our culture and national identity. They don’t even speak our language!”
It’s darkly funny, but it raises a serious question that’s been nagging at me – will our beloved red dragon be bent into something it was never meant to be?
Standing Firm Against Hate
I’m not going to let the red Welsh dragon become a racist or anti-gay icon. Not on my watch.
My art will purposely target Chinese takeaways, curry houses, Polish and Italian businesses in Wales, as well as gay pride groups. Because that’s what the dragon has always meant – welcome, warmth, and solidarity with anyone who calls Wales home.
Roots in the Valleys
I was born in the Labour heartlands of the South Wales Valleys, where the flag has always represented the downtrodden, but happy, warm and welcoming people living in Wales. It means love, not hate. Y Ddraig Goch always stands with the underdog, standing strong together. Inclusive, defiant against those who would divide us.
The dragon never meant crusaders or conquest – it always represented our colonised people, our miners, our steel workers, our teachers and nurses. It’s the symbol of people who know what it’s like to struggle, and who extend their hand to others facing the same fight.
Already Everywhere, Already Inclusive
The truth is, we’ll be okay. The flag is flown everywhere already – it’s on curry houses, Chinese takeaways, Polish delis, Italian cafes. All the vans, logos, pubs carry it with pride. The dragon has never been exclusive; it’s been the opposite.
Walk down any Welsh high street and you’ll see Y Ddraig Goch flying outside businesses run by people who arrived here from across the world, who’ve made Wales their home, who’ve become part of our story.
Art as Resistance
This is why my dragon art matters. Every piece I create that celebrates our multicultural Wales, every dragon I place in the hands of someone who belongs here regardless of where they came from, is an act of resistance against those who would narrow our national symbol into something mean and small.
The red dragon doesn’t exclude – it includes. It doesn’t divide – it unites. And I’ll keep making art that proves it.
Join the Resistance
If you see our dragon being misused, challenge it. If you see someone trying to turn our symbol of welcome into a symbol of rejection, remind them of what Wales really stands for.
Because the red dragon belongs to all of us who call Wales home – and that’s exactly how it should stay.
What does the Welsh dragon mean to you? Share your thoughts and let’s keep the conversation going about what our symbols truly represent.