The myth of Sant Jordi in Catalonia is a powerful metaphor for how the Catalans view their relationship with Spain. Sant Jordi was a real person who inspired many different myths in Europe. He is honored as a martyr in several countries and is the patron saint of Catalonia.
The Catalan myth of Sant Jordi believes that there was once a dragon that terrorized a town and the people there sacrificed two sheeps a day to keep the dragon from devouring them. When they eventually ran out of animals, they decided to draw lots to choose a human sacrifice to appease the dragon. The princess ended up being the chosen one and clothed in white, she accepted the outcome. Before the dragon could kill her, St. Jordi came to her rescue on a white horse. He struck the dragon down with a sword and saved the princess and townspeople. While the real St. Jordi died in Bithynia, the myth is set in Catalonia.
While many countries honor St. Jordi as a martyr, the Catalans honor him also as their patron saint. I believe this myth holds special meaning to them, more so than other countries, because it is a metaphor for their relationship with Spain. The dragon in the story that terrorizes the townspeople is comparable to Spain. Spain has historically “terrorized” the Catalan people by denying their freedom, banning their language, etc. The Catalan people can relate to the townspeople who are held captive by the dragon. Understanding how Spain has held the Catalans captive under their rule, it is clear why the Catalans would idealize a hero who would come to their rescue and free them from their captivity in the myth of St. Jordi.
Source:
Camprubí, Claudia. ElNacional.cat, “Sant Jordi, Catalan St George's Day, Explained.” 23 April 2020, www.elnacional.cat/en/culture/sant-jordi-catalan-st-georges-day-explain…. Accessed 2 Dec. 2020