David is the patron saint of Wales. He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop who lived in the sixth century and was one of the early saints who helped to convert pagans to Christianity. It is believed that David lived for over 100 years and he is thought to have died in AD 589. St David's Day has been a national festival in Wales since the 18th century. Many people wear a daffodil or a leek, which are both symbols of Wales, and the Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch, the national flag) is flown on many more buildings than usual.