Each country has its own emblem! And for Scotland, it’s the thistle – a magnificent flower, but also known for its spiciness! A rather clever way of summing up the Scottish state of mind: a magnificent, open-minded people, capable of standing up for themselves in the face of adversity! Want to find out more? We’re off!
Did you know? The thistle has been a national emblem in Scotland since the Middle Ages. Yet the origins of this symbol remain obscure, and it’s hard to say exactly where it originated.
Nevertheless, many legends lull the history of the Scottish thistle. It is said that the Vikings attempted to attack Scotland one night, but their plan was quickly derailed by the thistles that slowed their progress. The Scots surprised the Vikings as they howled in pain from the sting of the thistles. The Scots then had time to take up arms and drive the Nordic warriors from their land!
Although no evidence is available to support this story, it has become popular over the centuries and continues to be shared to this day.
With a story like this, it’s easy to see why thistle is so popular in Scotland!
Legend aside, the thistle has everything going for it in Scotland. First and foremost, it’s a hardy plant, capable of withstanding the assaults of wind and weather. We might as well say it: it knows how to cope with adversity, and flourishes just as well in the rain as it does in a few rays of sunshine!
Add to this a magnificent color: deep purple, thistle is a complex yet inviting plant, whose very presence warms the vast expanses of Scottish moorland. A perfect plant, in the image of the Scots, famous for their warmth and kindness!
But beware, thistle is also prickly: enough to dissuade any enemy from confronting it! Here too, the symbolism remains strong: the thistle, however magnificent, can be a formidable enemy if you venture onto its territory! A perennial, this plant can become a nightmare for anyone who approaches it uninvited!
A nice parallel, referring to centuries of conflict between Scots and English! Although often outnumbered, the Scots have always shone for their courage and pugnacity, capable of fighting to the death to defend their land and their independence!
In short, the thistle combines a number of characteristics that sum up Scotland’s founding values and sense of unity in the face of English occupation.
It is often associated with the idea that “Scotland will never be conquered” and is seen as a tribute to those who fought to defend the country.
For many, the thistle represents resilience, courage, honor and pride in being Scottish.
The symbolism behind the thistle goes far beyond simply historical or cultural aspects: today, it can be seen as an emblem of resistance and protection for Scotland in the face of external threats and English occupation.
Because of the profound meaning it embodies for the Scots, the thistle is regularly used to illustrate their shared sense of opposition to outside attempts at domination or unwelcome investment in the land. Many sculptures and murals show the thistle surrounding a Celtic cross or other symbol associated with Scotland.
The thistle is often placed alongside the dragon (another traditional symbol) as a reminder that Scottish pride will not be broken easily or go down without a fight. So, in difficult times, the thistle is a reminder that Scots can live in freedom and are always ready to stand up for their rights.
The thistle is therefore a plant that is found just about everywhere in Scotland, appearing not only on flags and coats of arms, but also in rugby, with the famous Thistle XV, the name of the Scottish team!
The XV of Thistle is one of the oldest rugby teams in the world. Every year since 1871, it has played its first match under the name “Scotland vs England”.
Their logo consists of a large yellow thistle on a red background, which also symbolizes Scottish pride and unity.
Since 1603, the thistle has appeared on official coins issued by the British crown and the Scottish government. In some cases, notably during periods of political turmoil or civil war in Scotland, the thistle was chosen as a symbol to remind people that Scotland remained an independent nation.
Travellers' notes
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