One of Scotland’s most recognizable symbols is the thistle, which is also its national flower. It has been Scotland’s national symbol since King Alexander III.
1. A Legend of Scotland’s National Flower
It’s unclear exactly how the thistle got to be Scotland’s national flower. But according to a well-known legend, the 13th-century Battle of Largs (a coastal town in Ayrshire) is what ultimately led to the thistle being the national symbol of Scotland. Scotland was the target of a Viking army that set out to conquer it.
According to folklore, they planned to ambush the sleeping Scottish Clansmen by leaving their ships in the dark. The Norsemen had taken off their shoes to make as much noise as possible. One of them, nevertheless, tripped on a sharp thistle as they skulked across the countryside. The Scots were awakened by his agonizing cries, and the soldiers rose up to drive the invaders from their land.
2. History of Scotland’s National Flower
The first thistle-adorned silver coin was produced by King James III of Scotland in 1474, and it has since appeared on coins throughout Scotland and later Britain.
The British 5p coin (which ceased production in 2008) has the inscription, “The Badge of Scotland, a thistle royally crowned,” and was the most recent design to include the thistle plant.
The Order of the Thistle was established in 1687 by James VII and II. The thistle served as its heraldic symbol, of course. Its full name, the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, denotes that it is a knightly order and the highest honor that Scotland can bestow upon a person. The thorny thistle that is difficult to pick goes nicely with the Order’s motto, Nemo me impune lacessit, which means “No one provokes me with impunity.”
Moreover, various national flowers and emblems may be used with the thistle symbol. To commemorate the Scottish Guards’ 300-year existence, a flag was given to Falkland Castle in 1950. The motto Unita Fortior, which translates as “stronger in unity,” is displayed on the symbol, which also signifies the Crown and the rank of Colonel. While serving as the Scots Guards’ Colonel-in-Chief from 1932 to 1937, George VI received the military colors.
3. Facts about Thistle maybe you didn’t know
Unknown Origins
No one is certain exactly how the purple-flowered thistle attained such elevated significance, as was indicated earlier. According to one legend, a sleeping group of Scotch warriors was rescued from an ambush by an invading Norse army when one of the adversaries stepped on the prickly shrub.
He cried out in agony, awakening the warriors who had been sleeping. They defeated the invader and made the thistle their flag.
Obviously, there isn’t a shred of proof for this claim, but it makes for a compelling tale anyway.
A number of them
Many different thistle species, some native to Scotland and others foreign, can be found there, and it’s unclear which one is the genuine emblem of the country. Do you mean the Musk Thistle or the Spear? Other options include the Our Lady’s Thistle and the poetic-sounding Melancholy Thistle. Regarding the cotton thistle, what about it?
It is poetically inspired
Forget Rabbie Burns’ ode to romantic love, A Red, Red Rose; instead, Hugh MacDiarmid’s epic, stream-of-consciousness poem, A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle, which touches on everything from the state of the country to the mysteries of the cosmos to the wondrous joy of whisky, is inspired by the thistle. It is one of the best and most influential poems in the Scottish literary canon.
An honorable medal
Almost 500 years ago, Scotland’s heraldry adopted the thistle as a significant emblem. Also, it stands for among the highest honors a person may receive from the nation. The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, founded by James VII and II in 1687, is an honorary order of chivalry given to people who have made remarkable contributions to Scotland and the wider United Kingdom.
HM The Most Noble Order of the Garter has priority over the Order of the Thistle, only seconded by the Queen, who alone invests those who are in it.
It’s all over Scotland
The outdoors, parks, and gardens aren’t the only places where thistles can be found. If you keep an eye out, you will notice the insignia badge appearing all throughout Scotland, including on the uniforms of police officers, local companies, significant organizations, and football and rugby teams, as well as on the jerseys of international teams.
