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The Frank Gilruth Collection

Iconic Scotland

Scottish Thistle

Period:
20th Century
Description:

The thistle is the floral emblem of Scotland. Within the symbolism of flowers, the thistle is an ancient Celtic symbol of nobility of character as well as of birth. The thistle became national emblem of Scotland since Alexander III and was used on silver coins issued by James III. There is not a clear history of where the thistle came from but there is a legend. The legend goes that an invading Norse army was attempting to sneak up at night upon a Scottish army's encampment, one Norse man in barefoot stepped on a thistle and he cried out in pain and alerted the Scots to the presence. The plants grow within two years, the first year the leaves, roots and stems grow, within the second year the plant flowers and then dies.



Source:
Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura
Accession number:
DUMFM:2010.42.4.243
Digital Number:
DMFG029a-b


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