The national symbols of Scotland include the coat of arms and the flag (attributes of power), the bagpipe (a musical instrument), the unicorn (the animal painted on the coat of arms), tartan (the fabric from which kilts are sewn), the thistle (found on banknotes) and a real character in Scottish history - the Apostle Andrew.
Consequently, all of the above symbols can be attributed to quite real things. But the fact is that many Scottish citizens have created imaginary features around these objects - they thought up and invented different stories, while not changing the history of their origin.
The symbol of Scotland is the thistle
This thorny weed has semi-official symbol power in this country. According to history, it was the thistle that saved the army of King Kenneth II from certain death in 990. The Scots were fast asleep and did not expect an attack at night. The Danes wanted to kill everyone, but one of the warriors stepped on a thorny weed with his bare foot and woke up the whole camp with his cry. The Scottish army quickly woke up, as a result of the armythe enemy was defeated. This weed turned out to be a thistle, and the Scots decided that it was to him that they owed their victory, and not at all to the courage and strength of the warriors.
Thistle - a symbol of Scotland - is depicted on many coins, emblems and coats of arms, sold in souvenir shops and grows in the fields. The thorn bush was first used as an emblem in 1470. And in 1687, the Order of the Thistle was even created, which includes members of the royal family. Members of the order wear chains of gold. The links of this decoration are made of thistles. Their motto is "No one will make me angry with impunity."
The symbol of Scotland is the flag
The next attribute of this country is St. Andrew's flag. We know him as a symbol of the Russian Navy. Only the banner of Scotland has a blue background and a white cross, while our maritime flag has the colors reversed. There is also an unofficial attribute of power in this northern country - a red lion depicted on a yellow background. It is often used as the second national symbol of Scotland, although it is not authorized by law in Britain.
The symbol of Scotland is the coat of arms
Before England and Scotland united, the coat of arms looked very different. Some elements have disappeared over time, and now only the lion reminds of the former Scottish independence.
Scottish symbol - whiskey and tartan
Scotch whiskey is a special cult. This drink is sold almost everywhere. You can also watch the production process, taste different varieties and more.
Now ohtartan. This is a special ornament on the fabric and one of the types of wool weaving, which is used when sewing national clothes: kilts, scarves and much more. Now the first thing that is associated with Scotland is the tartan check. And there were times when the British, in an effort to destroy all the symbols of Scottish life, banned tartan.
"Nemo me impune lacessit" - "No one will touch me with impunity." This motto of Scotland is not just a hymn to the thistle, but it speaks of wariness and resentment. It is possible that the Scots, with their bagpipes and kilts, are defending themselves against the English, who have always wanted to break them. And all these defiant attributes are the same thorns as a plant from the aster family.
