Each country in the UK has its own patron saint and a special day to celebrate them.
The Four Patron Saints
St George - England - **Date**: 23 April - **Symbol**: Red cross on white background - **Legend**: Killed a dragon to save a princess - **Origins**: Born in modern-day Turkey, Roman soldier - St George's Day is not a public holiday
St Andrew - Scotland - **Date**: 30 November - **Symbol**: White X (saltire) on blue background - **Legend**: Crucified on an X-shaped cross - **Origins**: One of Jesus's 12 apostles - St Andrew's Day is a bank holiday in Scotland
St David - Wales - **Date**: 1 March - **Symbol**: Daffodil and leek - **Legend**: Welsh bishop who lived simply - **Origins**: Welsh monk and bishop (6th century) - St David's Day is not a public holiday
St Patrick - Northern Ireland (& Ireland) - **Date**: 17 March - **Symbol**: Shamrock - **Legend**: Drove snakes from Ireland - **Origins**: Romano-British, enslaved in Ireland, returned as missionary - St Patrick's Day is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland
Celebrations
Each saint's day is marked by: - Wearing national symbols (rose, thistle, daffodil, shamrock) - Parades and festivals - Cultural events - Flying the national flag