Scottish Thistle

The Thistle's place in Scotland's symbolism and history began in the 13th century. According to legend during a surprise invasion by the soldiers of the Norse king, Haakon, at one of Scotland's coastal towns, one of the Viking soldier's bare feet came down hard on a Scottish thistle and his cries of shock and pain woke the sleeping Scots who were then victorious in battle. The thistle was immediately chosen as a national emblem. It appears on silver coins that were issued in 1470 during the reign of King James III and in the 16th century it became an integral part of Scotland's Coat of Arms.