The dragon has long been a symbol of Wales. It features (in its proper red 
      colour) on the national flag and is often to be found marking goods of 
      Welsh origin. How did this exotic oriental beast find its way to Wales? 
      The dragon was perhaps first seen in Wales in Roman times. The Romans were 
      thought to have gained knowledge of the dragon from their Parthian enemies 
      (in lands later to become part of the great Persian Empire) and it is to 
      be seen carved on Trajan's column. It is probable that the dragon had been 
      seen in  the West much earlier than this, as a result of Alexander the 
      Great's epic journey which commenced it 334 B.C. Alexander marched as far 
      as northern India and after his death, the break up of his mighty empire  
      saw an increase in trade with Africa and India and for the first time 
      commerce with China.  
      The Roman draco was a figure fixed by the head to the top of a staff, with 
      body and tail floating in the air and was the model for the dragon 
      standard used by the Anglo Saxons. In the Bayeux Tapestry, this device is 
      depicted as the standard of King Harold, although written records seem to 
      disagree.  In 1190 "the terrible standard of the dragon" was borne before 
      the army of Richard Coeur-de-Lion in an attack at Messina.  
      The seventh century Welsh hero Cadwaladr carried the dragon standard and 
      the dragon had become a recognised symbol of Wales by the time Welsh 
      archers were serving in the English army at the battle of Crecy in 1346. 
      It is said that a dragon banner was thrown over the Black Prince when he 
      was unhorsed at Crecy, in protection while his enemies were beaten off. 
      The future King Henry VII carried the dragon banner at the Battle of 
      Bosworth Field in 1485. (See our note on the Welsh roots of the Tudor 
      monarchs.) This battle signalled the end of the War of the Roses between 
      Lancastrian and Yorkist factions and led to unification. Henry later 
      decided that the red dragon should figure on the official  flag of Wales.