The thistle has a strong association with Scotland, being the national symbol that is identified with Scotland much as the shamrock is for Ireland or the Rose for England.  You can find thistles a plenty in Scotland, they have a prickly exterior and a distinctive purple head.

The story of how this small majestic flower became associated with Scotland comes from a time when Scotland was under attack from Vikings.  The Vikings came across from Norway and were a brutal and warrior like race whom to this day are the only army whom managed to fully conquer Scotland.

Nearer the end of the Viking occupation in the 13th centaury the story goes that a small band of Scottish soldiers had skirmished into the hills of the highlands waiting for their next opportunity to attack the invaders.  As they slept overnight they were unaware that an army of Viking soldiers had found their location and were approaching their position under cover of darkness to attack.

As the Vikings grew close to the Scottish soldiers one of them whom placed their bare foot upon a thistle.  With The thorns of the thistle dug into the soldiers foot and he let out a scream in pain.  This then woke the sleeping Scottish army and they charged at the Vikings defeating them and driving them to retreat.

This battle was seen as pivotal to the success in driving the invading Viking army off the shores of Scotland and as such the thistle has been adopted as a national symbol of Scotland. There is also an “order of the thistle” was founded by King James V with motto of "Nemo me impune lacessit", which when translated means "No-one harms me without punishment".