Cardiganshire county flag

Design and symbolism

A golden lion stands on black, with its head turned back. This is the established design associated with Cardiganshire, also known as Ceredigion.

History and use

The emblem is attributed to Gwaithfoed and has a long history in accounts of Ceredigion’s heraldry. The Historic Counties Trust records widespread county use while distinguishing it from a registered flag. The illustration here is a licensed modern rendering of that traditional emblem, not evidence of its medieval appearance.

This illustration is an established unregistered design, not a registered county flag. Registration has not been inferred from the age of its symbols or its inclusion in a flag gallery.

Sources and acknowledgements

• British County Flags: Cardiganshire
• Historic Counties Trust: county flags

County geography follows the Historic Counties Standard, published by the Historic Counties Trust, as used by RealCounties. Read our source and status guidance.

Flag-profile text: Historic Counties Institute, CC BY-SA 3.0, drawing on the credited research. Artwork has its own credit above.