The thistle is the national flower of Scotland — a spiky purple bloom tied to a centuries-old legend of the country’s defense against invaders.

• National flower: Thistle
• Scientific name: Onopordum acanthium
• Status: National emblem
• Symbolism: resilience, defense, and Scottish pride

About Scotland’s national flower

According to legend, a Norse army trying to sneak up on sleeping Scottish warriors was foiled when a barefoot raider stepped on a thistle and cried out, waking the Scots. Whether or not the tale is true, the thistle has symbolized Scotland since medieval times and appears in the Order of the Thistle, the country’s highest chivalric honor.

Symbolism and tradition

The thistle features on Scottish coins, rugby jerseys, and heraldry, and remains one of the most recognizable national emblems in Britain.

National flower of Scotland FAQs

What is the national flower of Scotland?

The national flower of Scotland is the thistle (Onopordum acanthium). The thistle has been Scotland’s national emblem since at least the 15th century.

What does the thistle symbolize in Scotland?

The prickly thistle symbolizes resilience and defense — a fitting emblem for a nation proud of standing its ground.

Why is the thistle Scotland’s emblem?

Legend holds that a barefoot Norse invader stepped on a thistle and cried out, alerting sleeping Scottish soldiers to the attack. The prickly plant has symbolized Scotland’s defense ever since.

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