Today is Saint George’s day, an annual event that takes place on 23rd April to celebrate the patron saint of England. To mark St. George’s day Google has replaced their logo with a Google Doodle of George making his way to slay a mighty dragon.
The Doodle
Unlike previous Doodles this one is not animated, in fact it’s actually very simplistic. The usual Google logo has been obscured by a massive Dragons tail as a brave, yet tiny, George approaches to attempt the unthinkable. He is holding his famous shield with emblem that is the basis for the English National Flag. It’s simple but works well.
About Saint George
Although you can go quite deep into the history of Saint George the most common and simplistic story is that he was a dragon slayer. In the middle ages the ‘dragon’ was another name for the Devil and like all the patron saints there are various links to religion. However, he was first praised with slaying a dragon in the twelfth century and the legend has grown ever since.
This is a very simplified version of story that is told in various countries: The legend says that there was once a town that was being terrorised by a dragon, as a sacrifice the princess was given to the Dragon in return for peace. This didn’t sit well with George and he rode in on his white horse and slayed the Dragon to rescue the princess.
Other countries that celebrate the day
Despite being the patron saint of England and Georgia the day is actually celebrated in a variety of locations including Canada, Portugal, Cyprus, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republic of Macedonia. So happy St. George’s day to you too.
What do you make of today’s Google Doodle?
23 April is Holy Saturday so St George's Day is moved to Monday 2 May. [wikipedia.org]
Google removed the picture.
wikipedia is wrong, the day never moves only easter does
That was our feeling too. Everyone else seems to be celebrating St.George's day today and so are we. Happy St George's day and to those of you celebrating on 2nd may an early well wish to you 🙂
The irony is that the chief druid and his lapdog bishops want to ditch St George in favour of St Alban.
I celebrate St George's Day as England's national day, not a religious festival. I don't care what the Pope says, England's St George's Day is on the 23rd of April every year.
The church celebration of St George's day moves (due to Easter) but not the actual day itself. Dear Google, reinstate our doodle!
Google removed the Google Doodle after an hour or so of it being on there. I'm very pissed off with Google, they've insulted my country.
You're right Wonkotsane, England's national day has nothing to do with the pope. St George's Day is 23 April, always has been always will be. In 2008, the pope moved St Patricks Day to 15 March, yet Google and everyone else celebrated it on 17 March!