Norfolk Folklore Society - November 2024 talk details
Our next Norfolk Folklore Society Talk
Ian Woods: Snap, The Dragon of Norwich
November 20, 2024
Doors open 7pm. Talk starts promptly at 7:30pm
Tickets: £8 each + Eventbrite fee
Venue: Carrow House Orangery, King Street, NR1 2TG (free parking is available)
Other information:
Hot drinks are available, but you are welcome to bring your own refreshments.
We can now confirm that it is pretty chilly in the Orangery. We will have blankets, but we’d highly recommend wrapping up warm.
Greetings, folklore friends!
As the autumn mists weave through Norwich, we are preparing to gather again to celebrate a creature born of myth and embraced by the heart of the city—Snap, the dragon. Join us for a fascinating evening led by Ian Woods, a Whiffler of the Norwich Pageantry Group and a devoted fan of Norwich’s most famous dragon.
Arriving in Norwich as a UEA student in 1975, Ian fell in love with the city and made it his home. From his years managing the Norwich Puppet Theatre to parading as a Red Whiffler, Ian has unearthed the spirit and secrets of Snap, Norwich’s cherished dragon. This fiery figure has danced through history, surviving the upheaval of the Reformation and emerging through the folklore of city folk and in the Lord Mayor’s Parade.
With a blend of historical depth and a touch of whimsy, Ian will illuminate Snap’s journey from an ancient symbol to the beloved leader of modern festivities.
A Note About Our Venue:
The Carrow House Orangery provides a fittingly enchanting setting for our events. Originally part of the Colman estate, this glasshouse, adorned with ornate ironwork and stained glass, now shelters us for these magical gatherings. Gorgeous as it is, the orangery comes with its quirks: the chill of the glasshouse can bite with the evening air. We encourage layers, and if you wish, feel free to bring your hot water bottles! Blankets and chairs are provided, tea and coffee is available.
Getting to Carrow House:
Carrow House is located on King Street, NR1 2TG, with free parking available on site. For precise navigation, use the What3Words address either.scuba.ended to find the entrance to the car park. Please note that it can be quite dark at night, so take care as you arrive.
We look forward to warming the November night with stories, camaraderie, and the enduring legend of Snap. See you there!
Warm wishes,
Siofra and Stacia
💚x
Snapdragon flower folklore facts
Protection
In English folklore, magicians believed snapdragons could break curses. In Germany, snapdragons were placed above a baby's crib to protect it from evil spirits.
Deception and grace
In the language of flowers, snapdragons can represent both deception and graciousness.
Charm
Concealing a snapdragon was said to make a person appear fascinating and cordial.
Truth-telling
In the Victorian era, sending a snapdragon with a flower that represented truth-telling, like a hyacinth, meant the sender was sorry.
Protection from witchcraft and aging
The shape of the dry seed pod of a snapdragon resembles a miniature skull, which may have led to the belief that snapdragons could protect people from witchcraft and aging.
Snapdragons are also known by other names, including "rabbit's lips" in Asia, "dragon's mouth" in Spain, and "lion's mouth" in Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Further reading
Read Norfolk Museum Service’s fact sheet on Snapdragon: https://shinealightproject.wordpress.com/2019/04/08/the-norwich-snapdragon/
Fancy hunting Snapdragons? https://beastlyboxes.co.uk/pages/lore
Snap and other dragons in Norfolk: https://colonelunthanksnorwich.com/tag/snap-the-dragon/