Which country's national emblem is the thistle. Thistle is a symbol of Scotland
Thistle is a beautiful and thorny flower - the national symbol of Scotland. Literally everything in this country is decorated with it, for example, coins, flags, coats of arms and T-shirts, souvenirs and jewelry with thistles are especially popular. This plant is admired and loved by the inhabitants of Scotland, for which it received the name "Scottish rose" from them.
Of course, about this symbol, like about any other, there is a local legend. Once, the warriors of Scotland fell asleep, not suspecting that Scandinavian pirates were approaching them. The Vikings almost managed to sneak up unnoticed, because for silent movement they took off their shoes. But with their bare feet, the unfortunate attackers landed in a thistle, from the thorns of which they began to scream at the weight of the forest.
The Scottish warriors heard these cries and successfully defended themselves from the attack by defeating the enemy. In connection with this legend, the thistle is also called the Guardian.
Historians cannot reliably confirm the reality of this story, but the possibility of such a case cannot be denied either. In favor of him is the fact that in different parts of Scotland they tell this story in their own way, with slight changes, as well as the thistle itself, which has freely grown over the fields of Scotland.
The Scots are sure that their character is similar to the character of the thistle - picky, proud, invincible.
Thistle
The thistle has been considered a symbol of Scotland for over six centuries. His image is minted on silver coins of the 15th century, or rather 1470.
The symbolism of this plant was so significant that in 1687 the Knightly Order of the Thistle was established. One of its symbols is a chain of gold, each link of which depicts this plant. The order's motto is: "No one angers me with impunity." The head of the Knightly Order of the Thistle is the monarch of Great Britain, now Queen Elizabeth.
Traditionally, the thistle is considered a simple plant, unsightly and unsightly. In fact, he is quite attractive and graceful. The flower of the plant itself is especially pleasant, pale purple, fluffy and soft. Everyone knows about the thistle thorns, which are so sharp and dangerous that they can injure human skin.
In addition to external qualities, the thistle also has magical fame. Based on the name, one can guess that this plant drove away evil spirits. The smoke of the burning plant fumigated the dwelling and the barn. The flower itself was worn behind a belt or threaded into a buttonhole to ward off evil spirits.
This article opens a series of publications dedicated to the symbols used in my work. Sometimes this is the author's idea, but more often I use one or another motif or symbol at the choice and desire of the customer.
We can all appreciate the sensuous and aesthetically appealing side of art; we have all experienced its ability to fascinate, delight, excite, but also shock, depress and disgust. However, until you look beyond the outer shell of a work of art, until you understand what exactly you see, only a tiny part of the author's intention will be revealed to you. Because art communicates with us in many ways through symbols, and a symbol is something different than it might seem at first glance. By picking up the keys and catching the connection between the symbolic references that the artists encoded in their canvases and other works, you will discover a rich world of allusions and hidden meanings. The use of the ancient language of symbols allows both the artist and the viewer to go far beyond the boundaries of creative space and cultural traditions and delve into the secrets of the human soul.
Encyclopedic definition
Thistle (lat. Cárduus) is a genus of plants of the Aster family, or Compositae, common in Europe, Asia and North Africa. Generic name lat. Cárduus - thistle, comes from the ancient Latin name applied to thorny plants.
In Russian and other languages
The Russian botanical name of the genus comes from the popular name of a group of weedy thorny plants belonging to different types Cardus, Arctium, Cirsium, which are still sometimes called thistles in different places. Other names found for this group of plants: mordvin, mordvinnik, burdock, shishobar, dedovnik, sow thistle, tartar, thorn, thistle, dogs, prickly prickly, bodyak.
Burdock was attributed not only to properties harmful to humans, but also the ability to influence evil spirits. So the name thistle reflects the special medical and magical function of burdock - to drive away evil spirits. Sheds were fumigated with these plants, trying to protect livestock from diseases. "Thistle is used to exorcise demons, in general, "evil spirits" from the house." “During a seizure (falling sickness), the lying patient is outlined in a circle and beaten “mercilessly” with thistle grass.”
The word thistle is complex: the first part is “devils”, the second “polok” is the verbal stem of polohat, frighten, agitate, be frightened, etc. The meaning is translated into modern language as frightening devils or halls.
Shishobar grass - grass for all herbs
folk proverb
In the Vologda-Vyatka dialects and the Arkhangelsk dialects bordering on the Vologda dialects, as well as in part of the dialects of Siberia, there is the word shishobar. We can correlate the first part of the addition with the dialect name of the trait (shish). The latter has approximately the same distribution area as the word shishobar - northern Russian dialects: shish, shishiga, shishigan (unclean, satan, demon), shishimora (east) (kikimora, ghost), shishka, shishko (devil, devil) . At its core, this name appears to be of taboo origin. In the second part of the addition of the word shishobar, one can assume the element bor- from the verb fight. The whole word should have looked like shishobor (beating, defeating devils).
AT English language you can meet the names - thistle, ironweed. In other languages: German - ringdisteln, disteln, French - chardon, Spanish - cardo, Finnish - karhiaiset, Polish - oset, Ukrainian - Budyak, Chuvash - Kurshanak.
Harriet Isabel Adams, 1907
National symbol of Scotland
There are several legends explaining how the thistle became a symbol of Scotland, but all the legends have one thing in common - it saves the Scots in a difficult moment.
One of the most famous dates back to the reign of King Alexander III (he ruled from 1249 to 1283). Even the father of the king, Alexander II, tried to buy back the Hebrides, which recognized the sovereignty of Norway. The son continued to try, but the Norwegians were not at all interested in weakening their influence, rather the opposite - therefore, when King Haakon IV received information that Alexander III was already raiding one of the islands, he gathered a huge fleet and set off in the summer of 1263 to Scotland. Peace negotiations did not lead to anything, and on October 2 there was a battle near the town of Largs. At first, the Scots outweighed the forces, and the Norwegians were forced to save themselves, retreating to their ships, then the Scots retreated ... In Norway, they still believe that the Norwegians won that day, but the Scots believe that they won (in the end, after all it was the Scots who were more fortunate - two years later, control over the Hebrides still passed to them). Whatever it was, it's history. And here is the legend.
One night, the Norwegians decided to quietly land on the shore and catch the Scots sleeping in their camp by surprise. So that no one would hear how they sneak, the Norwegians took off their shoes and, under the cover of darkness, set off. Perhaps this attack would have been crowned with success if it had not been necessary to go through places overgrown with thistles. One Norwegian warrior in the dark stepped on the thorns, screamed in pain, the Scots heard the cry, jumped up ... and the battle at Largs was won.
William Hall, mural fragment, National Portrait Gallery of Scotland
Another version of the legend tells not about the Norwegians, but about the Danes, who tried to capture one of the Scottish castles, and the action takes place not in the XIII century, but two hundred years earlier. The Danes also took off their shoes in order to sneak up unnoticed, but, alas, it turned out that in the moat that surrounded the castle, there was not water, but thistles ... I had to retreat in disgrace.
So the thistle protector became the emblem of the national, and then the royal. In the list of property of King James III, who died in 1488, embroidery with thistles is mentioned. Since 1470, thistles have been featured on Scottish silver coins. And when in 1503 King James IV married the English princess Margaret Tudor (the elder sister of Mary, the Tudor Rose mentioned above), an allegory was written in verse called “The Thrissil and the Rois ").
The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is a chivalric order associated with Scotland. The history of the modern order begins in 1687 with its establishment by King James VII of Scotland (also known as King James II of England), while it was claimed that there was a revival of the pre-existing order.
The order consists of the Sovereign and sixteen knights and ladies, as well as a number of "supernumerary" knights. The granting of membership falls within the exclusive competence of the Sovereign. Members of the order may use the honorific "Sir" or "Lady" in their names, as well as the postnominal letters "KT" or "LT" (Knight or Lady of the Thistle). Also, members of the order can use its symbols in their coats of arms, and have the right to add heraldic shield holders to the coats of arms.
The main emblem of the order is the thistle, the national symbol of Scotland. The motto of the order Nemo me impune lacessit (from Latin - "No one touches me with impunity"); the same motto is inscribed on the Royal Arms and on some of the pound coins. The patron saint of the order is Saint Andrew.
Symbol of Lorraine
The thistle is one of the symbols of Lorraine, together with its coat of arms depicting three alerions, and the Lorraine cross (sometimes called the "Angevin cross"). The thistle is depicted on the coat of arms of the city of Nancy.
Coat of arms of the city of Nancy, the center of Lorraine
The red heraldic cross denotes Christian motives and principles that guided the founders of the city. Also on the coat of arms there are five symbols denoting the indigenous Indian population and four European peoples who settled in the city in the 19th century: the Weymouth pine is a symbol of the indigenous peoples of Quebec (since 2017), the Bourbon lily is a symbol of the French diaspora (since 1939, instead of beaver), the scarlet rose of Lancaster is a symbol of the English diaspora, the thistle is a symbol of the Scottish diaspora, the shamrock is a symbol of the Irish diaspora.
Coat of arms of Montreal at various times
Thistle in Christianity
In the Middle Ages, the thistle was a symbol of the Virgin Mary because of its white juice. The reference was to the Mother of God, breastfeeding the Infant Jesus. More specifically, we are talking about milk thistle (Marin thistle), the milk juice of which has medicinal properties.
The cult of the Mother of God "Mamming" is perhaps the oldest of the cults of the Blessed Virgin in Christianity. A fresco in the Roman catacombs of Priscilla (second half of the 2nd century) is the oldest image with this plot and at the same time the oldest image of the Virgin Mary known today.
mammal
The national symbols of Scotland include the coat of arms and flag (attributes of power), the bagpipe (musical instrument) painted on the coat of arms), tartan (the fabric from which kilts are sewn), the thistle (found on banknotes) and the real character of Scottish history - the Apostle Andrew .
Therefore, all of the above symbols can be attributed to quite real things. But the fact is that many citizens of Scotland have created imaginary features around these objects - they thought up and invented various stories, while not changing the history of their origin.
The symbol of Scotland is the thistle
This thorny weed is endowed with semi-official symbol power in this country. According to history, it was the thistle that saved the army of King Kenneth II from certain death in 990. The Scots were fast asleep and did not expect an attack at night. The Danes wanted to kill everyone, but one of the warriors stepped on a thorny weed with his bare foot and woke up the whole camp with his cry. The Scottish army quickly woke up, as a result, the enemy army was defeated. This weed turned out to be a thistle, and the Scots decided that it was to him that they owed their victory, and not at all to the courage and strength of the warriors.
Thistle - a symbol of Scotland - is depicted on many coins, emblems and coats of arms, sold in souvenir shops and grows in the fields. The thorn bush was first used as an emblem in 1470. And in 1687, the Order of the Thistle was even created, which includes members. Members of the order wear chains of gold. The links of this decoration are made of thistles. Their motto is: "No one makes me angry with impunity."
The symbol of Scotland - the flag
The next attribute of this country is We know it as a symbol. Only the banner of Scotland has a blue background, and the cross is white, while our maritime flag has the colors reversed. There is also an unofficial attribute of power in this northern country - a red lion depicted on a yellow background. It is often used as the second national symbol of Scotland, although it is not authorized by law in Britain.
Symbol of Scotland - coat of arms
Before England and Scotland united, the coat of arms looked very different. Some elements disappeared over time, and now only the lion reminds of the former
Symbol of Scotland - whiskey and tartan
Scotch whiskey is a special cult. This drink is sold almost everywhere. You can also see manufacturing process, taste different varieties and more.
Now about tartan. This is a special ornament on the fabric and one of the types of wool weaving, which is used when sewing national clothes: kilts, scarves and much more. Now the first thing that is associated with Scotland is the tartan check. And there were times when the British, in an effort to destroy all the symbols of Scottish life, banned tartan.
"Nemo me impune lacessit" - "No one touches me with impunity." This motto of Scotland is not just a hymn to the thistle, but it speaks of wariness and resentment. It is possible that the Scots, with their bagpipes and kilts, are defending themselves against the English, who have always wanted to break them. And all these defiant attributes are the same thorns as those of a plant from the aster family.
Name
The Russian botanical name of the genus comes from the popular name of a group of weedy thorny plants belonging to different species. cardus, Arctium, Cirsium, which still sometimes in different localities continue to be called thistles. Word thistle complex, has common Slavic roots: the first part * čart- ‘damn’, second * polx- verb stem, cf. puff'frighten', alarm‘to be frightened’, etc. The meaning is translated as “frightening devils”, which reflects its special medical and magical function - to drive away evil spirits.
Biological description
Most of the members of the genus are thorny herbaceous plants.
Thistle in culture and ethnography
The plant was attributed not only properties harmful to humans, but also the ability to magically influence evil spirits. Sheds were fumigated with thistles, trying to protect livestock from diseases.
Folk omens
In stable weather, the thistle spines diverge to the sides, in cloudy weather they are pressed to the head. folk omen.
In symbolism and heraldry
The thistle is a symbol of Scotland, from where in the time of Peter the Great it passed into the symbolism of the Russian armed forces under the name "repeek"
Emblem of the Knights of the Order of the Thistle. The motto of the order is lat. Nemo Me Impune Lacessit . Meaning "No one hurts me without hurting himself." The meaning of this symbol is that anyone who dares to intervene in a dangerous enterprise will not be able to get out of it without loss.
Classification
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .
Synonyms:- Volcanic
- Crosby, Sidney
See what "Thistle" is in other dictionaries:
Thistle- drooping. THISTLE, a genus of thorny plants (Asteraceae family). About 120 species, in Eurasia and North America. Many types of weeds, some honey plants. … Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
thistle- milk thistle, Tatar Dictionary of Russian synonyms. thistle n., number of synonyms: 13 whiteleaf (4) ... Synonym dictionary
thistle- prickly: 1 shoot; 2 upper part of a flowering plant; 3 the lower part of the plant; 4 fruit (seed). thistle (Carduus), a genus of two, less often annual herbaceous plants of the Aster family, a weed plant. About 120 species… Agriculture. Big encyclopedic dictionary
THISTLE- THISTLE, a genus of thorny plants (Asteraceae family). About 120 species, in Eurasia and North America. Many types of weeds, some honey plants ... Modern Encyclopedia
THISTLE- a genus of thorny plants of the Compositae family. OK. 120 species, in Eurasia and North. America; in Russia ca. 15 types. Many kinds of weeds, some good honey plants... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
THISTLE- THISTLE, thistle, pl. no, husband. (bot.). The name of some thorny weeds. Dictionary Ushakov. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov
THISTLE- THISTLE, husband. Weed prickly plant. Compositae with a bushy stem and crimson flowers. | adj. thistle, oh, oh. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov
THISTLE- "THISTLE" (Ironweed) USA, 1987, 144 min. Historical film, adventure film. This is the first "purely American" film by the Brazilian director Hector Babenko, who became famous for his film "Kiss of the Spider Woman". It is based on the novel by William ... ... Cinema Encyclopedia
Thistle - vernacular name many prickly, tall, weedy plants, mainly from this family. Compositae (Compositae), for example Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Inula, Onopordon, Xanthium (cocktail); more often Ch. are called Carduus and Onopordon species. Species Carduus ... ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron
thistle- spiny (White); prickly (Bely, Garshin) Epithets of literary Russian speech. M: The supplier of the court of His Majesty, the partnership of the printing press A. A. Levenson. A. L. Zelenetsky. 1913 ... Dictionary of epithets
The same as everyone else ... Only ... Thistle.
Thistle - protection from sadness.
Thistle - salvation from trouble.
His flowers, exuding salvation,
Erase the traces of hard days in the soul.
Iraid a Mordovin a
“ Nemo me impune lacessit ”
- no one goes unpunished .
Thistle
botanical title - Carduus nutans L. or Silybum marianum
Pharmacy: milk thistle
Thistle means challenge, asceticism, vindictiveness, misanthropy.
It also symbolizes sin, sorrow, the curse of God when expelled from paradise; according to Genesis, Adam was punished with thistles. In Christian art, the thistle is the emblem of martyrdom.
But there is another side to the thistle symbolism. Like some other thorny plants, it is considered a talisman and is endowed with the ability to heal wounds. It is a plant with strong magical properties.
The Latin generic name of the plant - Silybum - comes from the Greek word, which translates as a brush.
The specific name Silybum marianum is given in honor of the Virgin Mary. The name of the Mother of God in connection with this plant is mentioned in many European languages.
This is due to the belief that the white spots on its leaves are the milk of the Mother of God.
The Bulgarians call thistle - "gift of the Virgin Mary".
In China, the thistle is a symbol of resilience and longevity, as it does not lose its shape after pruning.
Pythagoras is credited with the expression that the sight of the Thistle, called "stoglav" (Centum capita), "excites an irresistible love for the opposite sex."
Thistle is a perennial herbaceous plant with a very branched, thick stem and stiff and prickly leaves. It grows up to 2 meters in height, blooming on top of its heads are brightly purple. Thistle blooms from July to September. His homeland is most likely the Baltic countries, southern Siberia and North Africa. Quite often found in Central Europe in poor meadows, wastelands, sandy slopes and slopes, on roadsides.
The people said this about the habitat of the thistle: Thistle grows in places that are unkind, protecting our world from evil. People living nearby were judged by this plant: thistle grows - either people are evil, or the place is not good; Either way, it's best to stay away from him.
Since ancient times, it has been used both in medicine and in cooking and magical rites. (See references) This is a very strong plant, which, of course, has magic power capable of driving away evil spirits and evil in general.
Thistle in translation from Old Russian means "frightening devils." This is quite consistent with the abilities of this plant. The devils are really afraid of him, so this plant was hung at the entrance to the house so as not to let evil spirits into the dwelling. They planted thistles on the graves of sorcerers and cursed people to prevent evil spirits from dragging their souls into hell.
The thistle means sin, sorrow, the curse of God upon expulsion from paradise. In Roman mythology, Ceres, the goddess of the harvest, the patroness of fertility, lights a torch from dry thistles.
Each country in Great Britain has its own symbol: England has a rose, Wales has a daffodil, Northern Ireland has a clover, and Scotland has a thistle.
Like everything in the UK, this fact has deep historical roots.
The thistle is a symbol of Scotland, according to legend: when the Danes who invaded in the 8th century tried to secretly get close to the Scots barefoot at night, they fell into the thistle thickets; from their cries, the Scots raised the alarm and completely defeated the Danes.
The thistle was adopted as the emblem of Scotland in the reign of James III ; appeared in the British coat of arms in 1702 along with the motto Nemo me im ripe lacessit "No one touches me without getting hurt." This emblem is also central to the breastplate of the "Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle"; cavaliers of this order are inferior in rank only to cavaliers of the "Order of the Garter".
Thistle is an amazing plant. Many consider it an annoying thorny weed that interferes with other plants. However, the thistle is fraught with a lot of surprises. There are more than a hundred of its varieties: prickly, curly, small-headed and many others. Recently, some European designers have been using thistles to decorate gardens and outdoor areas. Moreover, botanists began to hybridize this plant and get more and more new varieties.
Thistle is also grown as a vegetable plant. The flower heads are boiled and eaten like artichokes.
Legends of the Flower Horoscope.
prickly thistle
In the language of flowers, thistle means "I'm dangerous to deal with."
The thistle caused dislike in the church, because it did not want to show humility, and after all, humility is the main foundation and the main requirement of any religion. Therefore, in Christianity, the wayward plant was anathematized and branded as a symbol of evil and sin, accused of fierce malice that oppresses virtue.
Already in biblical mythology, the thistle, bred under the name of the thistle, appears as a symbol of God's punishment for the sins of Adam. This is evident from the words of the angry Creator addressed to our common ancestor:
“...Cursed is the earth for your sake, in sorrow you will eat from it all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles she will grow for you; and you shall eat the grass of the field” (Gen. 3:17-18).
In Christian iconography, the prickly thistle has become an emblem of martyrdom. True, the Savior's suffering on the Cross was usually conveyed by another spiked thorn - the crown of thorns, but the images of many holy great martyrs were framed precisely by the thistle's antennae.
And yet, the reputation of the glorious hero from the kingdom of Flora was not trampled into the dirt - he had too many merits, both imaginary and genuine. In folk magic, since time immemorial, this fighting plant, capable of causing a commotion among the minions of Satan, was recognized as the strongest amulet. It was believed that the thistle reliably protects against damage and the evil eye, magic spells and dark spells, and hung over the doors of the house, it guarantees its inhabitants complete immunity from evil spirits.
Nikolay Zabolotsky
They brought a bouquet of thistles
And they put it on the table, and behold
Before me is a fire, and turmoil,
And fires crimson round dance.
These pointed stars
These splashes of the northern dawn
And they rattle and moan with bells,
Lanterns flashing from within.
This is also an image of the universe,
An organism woven from rays,
Battles of unfinished flaming
The blaze of raised swords,
It's a tower of rage and glory
Where a spear is attached to a spear,
Where are the bunches of flowers, blood-headed,
Cut right into my heart.
I dreamed of a high dungeon
And the lattice, black as night,
Behind bars - a fabulous bird,
The one with no one to help.
But I also live, apparently, badly,
Because I can't help her.
And the thistle wall rises
Between me and my joy.
And a wedge-shaped thorn stretched out
In my chest, and for the last time
Shines me sad and beautiful
The gaze of her inextinguishable eyes.
W. Shakespeare
Translation by S.Ya. Marshak
Who, owning evil, will not cause evil,
Without using the full power of this power,
Who moves others, but like granite,
Unshakable and not subject to passion, -
Heaven grants grace to him,
The earth brings dear gifts.
He was given greatness,
And others are called to honor greatness.
Summer cherishes its best flower,
Though he himself blooms and withers.
But if vice found shelter in it,
Any weed will be worthy of it.
Thistle is sweeter and sweeter to us
Corrupted roses, poisoned lilies.
Pronina Natalya
"Thistle"
Crimson fire thistle
Fluffy honey brush.
When I can't breathe from pain
I pray childhood sweet: "dream!"
Dream me a red field from the heat,
And the air trembles above me.
Let the wings behind me again
Again they will carry over the children's country.
Above the hut, the wrecked barn,
Above the gray houses of bees.
Where the bumblebee buzzes solemnly and deafly
My royal thistle has blossomed.
Like he's alone in this field
And he lit his candle for me.
It smells like honey! No more patience
To him, to him fragrant I fly!
Sergei Fatulev
Among the fragrant garden flowers,
Suddenly one grew up without crazy curls.
His calling is not tinsel games,
He drives devils of all stripes from the yard.
Even if slightly deprived of nature,
He was secretly in love with Romashka alone.
A little prickly, but not so bad,
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