On This Day: August 12th, 2015 – Scotland

Thistles are everywhere in Scotland, so it’s no wonder this flower is the floral emblem of Scotland. Just as the rose is beautiful yet prickly, the thistle should be approached with caution. Legend has it that this flower became the symbol for Scotland when a barefooted Norse warrior accidentally stepped on some thistles during an invasion of Scotland, and it was his screams that alerted the Scots of the attack and saved the day. True or not, this purple beauty is a sight to behold.