If England has roses, Wales has daffodils, and Ireland has shamrock, then Scotland has thistle. The Thistle has been the national symbol of Scotlands for centuries and is one of Scotland's most famous symbols, second only to tartan. Today, Thistle can be seen on everything, from jewelry, sporans, clothes and even soap and not to mention tattoos. We have collected 5 Thistle events so you can learn more about Scottish thistle.

1. Mysterious origins

The thistle was recorded as the "National Flower" dating from the 13th century, an invading Nordic army was attempting to sneak at night when the Scottish army was sleeping, only to walk barefoot and one of the enemies treampled on the thorny plant. This caused him to cry in pain, thus alerting Scots about the presence of the Norse invaders. As a result, the Scottish Army defeated the invaders and received thistle as their national symbol.

2. A badge of honour

The thistle has been an essential symbol of the Scottish heraldry for over 500 years. It appeared on silver coins issued in 1470 under King James III (1466 - 1488). In the early 16th century, The Order of the Thistle was the highest honor in the Scottish chivalry, founded by King James V with The Order's motto being "no one provokes me with impunity.” It also represents one of the highest honors that the country can be for an individual who have made outstanding contributions to the life of Scotland and the UK. And it has become an integral part of Scotlands' Coat of Arms. 

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3. It's inspired poetry

In the early 16th century, the marriage of King James IV of Scotland to Princess Margaret Tudor of England seemed to be the inspiration behind the poem entitled "The Thrissil and The Rois" written by the Scottish poet William Dunbar. Thistle represented King James, and roses represented Princess Margaret.

Thistle is responsible for one of the best and influential poems in the Scottish canon literature. A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle is a long poem by Hugh MacDiarmid written in Scots and published in 1926. The flow of the poem was consciously touching all, from the state of the country and the mysteries of the universe to the great joy that's whiskey. It is one of the main modernist literary works of the 20th century.

4. It's everywhere

The Scottish Thistle is everywhere! Thistles aren't only found in gardens, parks, and the countryside. The image of the thistle is one of what represents Scotland's heritage or culture. If you look around Scotland, thistle is found throughout Scotland, from the strip of international rugby teams and football clubs to local businesses and large organizations and corporations, to uniforms of police officers.

5. There's more than one

Scotland is home to not only one, but some varieties of thistle, some native and some others exotic, and no one is sure it's the true symbol of Scotland. Is it Edible Thistles or Musk Thistle? Or maybe it's the poetic-sounding Melancholy Thistle or Our Lady's Thistle? And what about the Cotton Thistle?

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