Dear Reader:
The other day, my history lover friend and teaching colleague, Carol Poole, shared one of the numerous legends that grew up around Scotland’s national flower-the thistle. Since my father’s side of the family all emigrated from Scotland and make up half my genealogy… I was especially interested in learning more stories from my once Scottish homeland.
Today this flower is associated with a famous historical incident that occurred between ( 1249- 1286) during the reign of King Alexander III. Since that time it has been recognized as Scotland’s national emblem.
No one is really sure of how the thistle came to be Scotland’s first national flower- there are many different versions of the story…but they seem to settle around the same central theme.
This is one of the more popularly accepted versions of the story. It all begins with a battle -the battle of Ayrshire in the 13th century.
A Norse army journeyed to Scotland, intent on conquering the land from them. The legend has it that they left their ships under cover of night… planning to surprise and ambush the Scottish clansmen while they slept.
In order to be as quiet as possible, the Norsemen removed their boots and/ or shoes. However, as they crept across the countryside meadows, one soldier stepped onto a thorny thistle. His cry of pain roused the sleeping Scots – the warriors rose up and defeated the invaders.
Today you see the thistle on everything from patriotic banners, flags, to gold and silver coins and tourist souvenirs , such as jewelry and keychains.
A long time tradition in Scotland has been the custom of pressing a silver or gold coin into the palm of a newborn’s fist… to wish him/her good fortune …in modern times the thistle is seen on the coin.
In case anyone is wondering what our national flower is…it’s the rose!
Apparently George Washington grew roses at Mt Vernon and today the White House Rose Garden has been the site of more historical events than any other… including weddings, birthdays, treaties, speeches and a place of beauty that the President can escape to… while weighing in on so many heavy issues that go with the job.
While I was in Mt Pleasant earlier this week… Jeff cut back my Yellow Jessamine -SC’s state flower- it was starting to grow onto the roof of the garage !!!
So until tomorrow… as Colin Powell warned in his book on leadership-My American Journey-” A leader must be doubly vigilant- Always check the ” small things.”
… like thorny thistles! It could reshape history.
Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh
