The legend of Sant Jordi, patron saint of Catalonia since 1904, tells the story of a knight and protective hero who defeated a terrible dragon that terrorized the population of the small town of Montblanc, in the Conca de la Barberà.
According to legend, to appease the dragon's hunger, the population agreed, by drawing lots, to give one person to the dragon each day. Thus, as luck would have it, one day the one chosen to feed the dragon was the king's daughter. Many citizens offered to replace her, but the king, despite the pain of the princess being the unlucky one, decided to keep her as the dragon's prey. Thus, on her way to her fateful end, the princess met a young knight in golden armor and on his white horse who claimed not only not to fear the dragon but also came there expressly to fight and kill it, freeing both the city and the princess. This knight was, of course, Sant Jordi. At that moment, the dragon appeared and was defeated by our valiant knight, a representation of the victory of good over evil. From the blood that emerged after Sant Jordi's thrust at the dragon quickly sprouted a rose bush, from which Sant Jordi took the most beautiful flower to give to the princess. Hence, the tradition of giving roses on Saint George's Day.
This is why Sant Jordi is, par excellence, the patron saint of lovers in Catalonia. Following the tradition, the man gives the woman a single red rose with the Senyera and an ear of wheat, and the woman gives a book to her beloved. This exchange of gifts is not exclusive for lovers, it is also done between loved ones, and today, both women and men can receive books and roses. The red color of the rose symbolizes passion, the Senyera symbolizes the patron saint of Catalonia and the ear of wheat represents fertility. Sant Jordi's Day is also the ideal time to go out for a walk and enjoy the good weather. Roses and books fill the streets and squares of all the cities and towns of Catalonia for a day, becoming a popular celebration in which other events are intermingled: Sardanes, Castellers, exhibitions, book signings, poetry recitals... making this day one of the most festive of the year.
At Hotel Miramar we also want to be part of what is undoubtedly the most romantic and literary day of the year in Barcelona.
Happy Sant Jordi !
Drawing by Pol Domingo Corella- P5
Hotel Miramar Barcelona
www.hotelmiramarbarcelona.com
