This coming Thursday, April 23rd, is St George's Day in England and Diada de Sant Jordi in Cataluña.
It is also World Book Day.
A dragon? Both versions of St George are alleged to have slayed this mythical beast.
George and the Dragon
St George is the patron saint of England, the other countries of the British Isles having their own in St Andrew, St David and St Patrick of Scotland, Wales and Ireland respectively.
According to the legend George slew a dragon, as did Jordi, the Catalonian patron saint.
Both saints died on April 23rd, so were they one and the same man?
[Flagsok]
George was a Roman soldier born in Cappadocia in modern-day Turkey around 280 AD. He became a Christian and was martyred (beheaded) in 303 AD for refusing to renounce his faith during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians,
The most famous legend associated with with him tells of George slaying a dragon to save a princess, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
His relics were later transported to Lydda in Palestine, and eventually to the West by the Crusaders.
George was named the patron saint of England in the 14th century and his emblem, a red cross on a white background, became the national flag of England.
In Catalonia the legend involved Sant Jordi similarly killing a dragon and saving a princess.
World Book Day
El Dia Mundial del Libro has fallen on April 23rd since 1995, when it was decided to amalgamate the two events.
World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to promote reading, publishing and copyright.
[Futurum Careers]
Typically, stalls are set up in a designated area of a town by bookshops/librerias and publishers/editoriales.
Books are usually sold at a discount or are remaindered and heavily reduced in price.
[eParenting]
Roses
The red rose is a traditional emblem on April 23rd.
When Jordi slew the dragon, a rose bush grew from the blood of the dragon, and the knight picked the most beautiful red rose and offered it to the princess.
According to legend, a rose bush grows there every April.
[Freepik]
Footnote:
Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare both died on the same day in 1616 - April 23rd. This was apparently a consideration when choosing the date for World Book Day.
© The History Man
Pictures:
eParenting, Flagsok, Freepik, Futurum Careers,
Thanks:
Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia,
Tags:
280 AD, 303 AD, April 23rd, bookshops, Cappadocia, Cataluña, Diada de Sant Jordi, Dia Mundial del Libro, Diocletian, dragon, editoriales, eParenting, Flagsok, Freepik, Futurum Careers, librerias, Miguel de Cervantes, patron saint, publishers, St George, St George's Day, Sant Jordi, Turkey, UNESCO, William Shakespeare, World Book Day,