European dragon Somerset. The county once formed part of the early-medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex in western England, which too bore a dragon, or wyvern (a two-legged dragon-like creature, as opposed to a four-legged dragon), as a symbol. The Wessex beast is usually colored gold in illustrations. According to the writer on heraldry Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, the red dragon of Wales on the flag originated with the standard of the 7th-century king, Cadwaladr, and was used as a supporter by the Tudor dynasty (who were of Welsh origin). Queen Elizabeth, however, preferring gold, changed the royal mantle and the dragon supporter from
Order of Great Victory of the Thunder Dragon : The general disposition of the insignia depend on the recipient's dress: In National dress: In European dress or uniform: The 60 mm "badge" consists of a gold-plated back plate consisting of crossed dorji (crossed thunderbolt) with lattice work, and an enamelled flag of Bhutan with beaded gold edge, with the dragon mounted in gold. (photo) The 80 mm "breast star" consists of a large ornate gold-plated back plate with silver trumpets (dhung) individually pegged onto back star. The centre is an enamelled flag of Bhutan, with the dragon in gold, identical to the badge. The "ribbon" is dark orange.