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The Thistle
The flower of Scotland is the best known symbol
which is recognized all over the world. It dates
back 800 years.
A legend says that Viking invaders stepped on
these plants, cried out in pain and alarmed
sleeping Scots. This helped the Scots fight off the attackers.
It appeared on silver coins in 1470 and became a part of
Scotland’s Coat of Arms in the 16th cent.

The Unicorn
The national animal and a heraldic symbol. In Celtic mythology
it symbolised innocence and purity, healing power, joy and life.
In the 15th cent gold coins appeared with a unicorn image and
two unicorns appeared in the Coat of Arms.

The Order of the
Thistle
It’s Scotland’s highest
chivalric order founded by
King James VII (1687). The
official motto of the Order is

'Nemo me impune lacessit',
which Latin translates into
'No one provokes me with
impunity'.


St
Andrew

Since the 10th
cent. he has
been considered the
Patron Saint of Scotland.
A legend says that his holy
relics were brought at
what is now of St
Andrews. St Andrews
became the religious
capital of Scotland.
Saint Andrew's Day is
celebrated on 30th
November each year.

The Saltire
St Andrew is believed to have
died on a diagonally transversed
cross. This cross has been
adopted as the national flag of
Scotland. The blue stands for the
sky. It is believed to be one of the
oldest flags in the world still in
use today.

The Lion Rampant
Unofficially, it is often thought to be the
Second National Flag of Scotland. It is also
called the Royal Flag of Scotland. It was
adopted by King William I (William the
Lion) in the 12th cent. It was also used later

by King Richard I of England (Richard the
Lion Heart).


The Heather
Beautiful Scottish heather is another
characteristic symbol of Scotland which is
recognized around the world. Also said to be
their national flower. It grows abundantly on
the Scottish moors, glens and highlands. The
colour ranges mostly from lilac to purple.
White heather is considered to be a symbol
of good luck. It had multiple uses: mattresses,
ropes, walls, thatched roofs, brooms, paint,
even in drinks (ale), honey, tea, soaps,
aromatherapy and medicine.

The Royal Coat of Arms
It was the official coat of arms of the kings of Scotland. It
presents
two crowned unicorns holding a shield with a red lion on a
yellow field. Atop the shield sits the helm and the crest
depicting a red lion which wears the crown of Scotland and
holds the Sceptre and the Sword of State. Above the crest
is the motto ‘In Defens’. It is a contraction of the motto ‘In
My Defence God Me Defend’. The unicorns stand on a
number of thistles.