Why is the THISTLE the national flower of Scotland?

In the UK Northern Ireland has the blue Flax in honour of its historic linen industry, England has the beautiful Rose known as Queen of all flowers, Wales has the lovely golden Daffodil (and the tasty Leek), but Scotland has the THISTLE, which is just about the most horrible, invasive, big, tough, ugly, thorny WEED that exists! It's a true weed that's of no use to anyone and if it gets into the garden you can't get rid of it - its big tough prickles even get you through leather gloves! So why has Scotland chosen this rough weed as their national symbol; surely there's a better Scottish plant?

Why is the THISTLE the national flower of Scotland?
How, you may ask, did such a thorny flower become a national emblem ?



Well, so the story goes, a very long time ago when Scotland was ravaged by Viking invaders, a group of Scottish fighting men were resting overnight in a field. Unknown to them, a raiding party was preparing to attack this group of Scots, under cover of darkness.

As the attacking Vikings approached the encamped Scots, they stood on a patch of Thistles with their barefeet and, of course, let out cries of pain as the thorns dug deep into the soles and toes.

The Scots, having been awakened by this rammy, were able to fight off the attackers.

So, from that day , the Thistle has been adopted as Scotland ' s National Emblem.



Nowadays, the Thistle is widely used to signify the " Scottishness " of countless products,

services, organisations, etc., and can be seen everywhere.
Reply:A few politicians residing in Scotland wanted some item to represent their country.



One guy went to a flower shop, and bought a daffodil, the other two said NO, as it had been chosen to represent Wales, the Second guy bought some three leafed clover (shamrock to you and me), but the other two laughed, and said that that had already been chosen by Ireland.



However, a few days passed and the third guy, picked this ornamental weed, and showed the others, they both turned round and said....







Wait for it....













I tell you its coming....















just a sec....











"THISTLE DO NICELY"

:))
Reply:Because the Lancastrians has already stolen the red rose that Robert Burns wrote about



http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/tran...
Reply:Because once upon a time, and invading army was coming on shore to invade Scotland. The Scots waited fro them to land, and when they did, they got a bunch of thistles in their shoes. The Scots took advantage of their distraction and drove them away.
Reply:A Roman Legionaire steped on one during a suprise night attack and alerted the Scots Forces who were able to repel the attack.



or something in this vein.....
Reply:lol



kev r beat me to it



maybe its cos its symbolic of a smackhead's needle
Reply:Easy - full of pricks
Reply:Its got to be a better image than a bowl of porridge,or maybe its to remind the Scott's to be careful where they sit when wearing the kilt
Reply:The story Behind the Scottish Thistle

the national emblem of Scotland

'A Prickly Tale'

By John A. Duncan of Sketraw, KCN, FSA Scot.







The Scots Thistle





The prickly purple thistle was adopted as the Emblem of Scotland during the rein of Alexander III (1249 -1286). Legend has it that an Army of King Haakon of Norway, intent on conquering the Scots landed at the Coast of Largs at night to surprise the sleeping Scottish Clansmen. In order to move more stealthily under the cover of darkness the Norsemen removed their footwear.



As they drew near to the Scots it wasn't the only thing hiding under the cover of darkness. For one of Haakon's men unfortunately stood on one of these spiny little defenders and shrieked out in pain, alerting the Clansmen of the advancing Norsemen. Needless to say the Scots who won the day.
Reply:Because it's a very tough weed to get rid of. The English discovered that the Scottish were also very difficult to put under reins. It's a good choice in my opinion.