The Dark Father
Tartan of the Day
May 4
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St. George's Day
“🎶 And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In England’s green and pleasant land.”
~ Jerusalem, words by William Blake, music by Hubert Parry
St. George’s Day, celebrated on April 23, honors England’s patron saint and has long been associated with ideals of courage, chivalry, and national identity.
The figure behind the day, Saint George, was likely a Roman soldier of Greek origin who lived in the 3rd century and was martyred for his Christian faith under the emperor Diocletian. Very little is known about his actual life, but by the Middle Ages his story had grown into legend, and his reputation as a holy warrior spread widely across Europe. He became especially associated with knights and soldiers, embodying the ideal of steadfast faith in the face of danger.
The most famous legend is that of the tale of St. George and the Dragon. In this story, a town is terrorized by a dragon that demands regular sacrifices. When the lot falls to the king’s daughter, George rides in, confronts the beast, and slays it, saving both the princess and the people. In many versions, he then converts the townsfolk to Christianity, tying the story to a moral as well as a heroic victory.
This tale resonated deeply in medieval culture, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, faith over fear, and order over chaos.
By the 14th century, St. George had been adopted as England’s patron saint, notably during the reign of Edward III, who placed him at the center of the chivalric Order of the Garter. His red cross on a white field became a defining national emblem, carried into battle and eventually forming part of the Union flag.
This tartan was designed to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Union between Scotland and England in 1707. The design incorporates the colours of the flags of the two nations. 💙 🤍 ❤️ 💜 🏴 🏴 🐉 ✝️ 🌹
Today, April 23, also known as "Slay a Dragon Day" is the day in which England which remembers the anniversary of the death of St. George, England's patron saint. This tartan was designed in 2006 for citizens of England to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Union between Scotland and England.
From the designer's notes:
The best known legend surrounding St. George is that of the dragon. According to this legend a pagan town in what is now Libya was being terrorised by a fierce dragon. To placate the insatiable beast the locals began to sacrifice their own townspeople. Finally the local Princess was set to be sacrificed, but good St. George came along, slaughtered the dragon and rescued the fair Princess.
At this the townsfolk converted to Christianity. In 1222 the Council of Oxford declared the 23rd April as his Feast Day, and he eventually became the Patron Saint of England sometime in the 14th Century.
It is traditional for men to celebrate St. George’s Day by giving their ladies a red rose to honour the memory of St. George and the Princess he saved from the dragon.
The St. George tartan has been designed to incorporate those emblems which best represent England as a nation: The red Cross of St. George on its white field, surrounded by the three lions passant which form the Arms of England, and set in blue symbolising its island nature and dominance of the High Seas, laced with Royal Purple representing 1000 years of enduring monarchic tradition.
For more about the legend of St. George and the dragon, click the stained glass.