Posted by Maris on 25th Oct 2023
Interesting Facts About Thistle, Scotland's National Flower
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 how the thistle became Scotland's national flower. However, tradition has it that the 13th-century Battle of Largs (a coastal town in Ayrshire) is what finally led to the thistle becoming Scotland's national symbol. Scotland was the target of a Viking army on a conquest mission.
They planned to attack the sleeping Scottish Clansmen by leaving their ships in the dark, according to tradition. The Norsemen had removed their shoes in order to make as much noise as possible. Nonetheless, one of them tripped on a prickly thistle as they skulked over the countryside. His excruciating cries awoke the Scots, and the warriors rose up to remove the invaders from their home.
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.
James VII and II established the Order of the Thistle in 1687. Of course, the thistle was its heraldic symbol. As its full name implies, The Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle is a knightly order and the greatest honor that Scotland may confer upon a person. The difficult-to-pick prickly thistle complements the Order's motto, Nemo me impune lacessit, which means "No one provokes me with impunity."
Furthermore, the thistle sign can be combined with various national flowers and emblems. Falkland Castle received a flag in 1950 to honor the Scottish Guards' 300-year existence. The slogan Unita Fortior, which translates as "stronger in unity," is displayed on the insignia, representing the Crown and Colonel rank. George VI got the military colors while serving as Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Guards from 1932 to 1937.
3. Facts about Thistle maybe you didn't know
Unknown Origins
No one knows for certain how the purple-flowered thistle rose to such prominence, as previously stated. According to one legend, an invading Norse army saved a sleeping troop of Scotch warriors from an ambush by stepping on the thorny plant.
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 distinct thistle species can be found there, some native to Scotland and others not, and it's unclear which one is the true national emblem. Are you referring to the Musk Thistle or the Spear? Our Lady's Thistle and the poetic-sounding Melancholy Thistle are two further alternatives. What do you think of the cotton thistle?
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
Thistles can be found in a variety of habitats, including the wild, parks, and gardens. If you look closely, you will find the insignia emblem on the uniforms of police officers, local companies, key organizations, football and rugby teams, as well as the jerseys of international teams, all over Scotland.