Question

Each country has a flower, a tree or an animal as a symbol. Explain why • the English chose a rose; • the Scots chose a thistle; • the Irish chose a shamrock; • the Welsh chose a daffodil/a leek.​

Answer 1

ENGLAND: TUDOR ROSE

The national flower of England is the rose, but not just any rose. The Tudor rose was adopted by Henry VII as England’s emblem of peace at the end of the War of the Roses, the civil wars between the royal house of Lancashire, who wore a red rose, and the royal house of York, who wore white. The Tudor rose, which combined both, came to symbolise peace between the houses. A red rose is used by sports teams like the England Rugby Union team, while the stylised image of the tudor rose is seen on the dress uniforms of the guards at the Tower of London and in the royal coat of arms.

SCOTLAND: THISTLE

Commonly found in the highlands of Scotland, the thistle is the country’s national flower, but it's not clear how it came to attain this status. One legend has it that a sleeping party of Scottish warriors were spared ambush by a Norse army when a soldier trod on the prickly flower, rousing them with his pained cry. The emblem can be found on the Scottish rugby team, and it's also an important heraldic symbol. Founded by James III in 1687, the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is awarded to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of Scotland.

SHAMROCK

Not to be confused with the lucky charms of the four-leaf clover, the three-leaf shamrock is a registered trademark of the Republic of Ireland, and is also unofficially regarded as the national symbol of Northern Ireland. Its distinctive three-leaf foliage is said to have been used by St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Although by no means a showy flower, clover is increasingly a popular addition to wildflower meadow bouquets and arrangements.

WALES: DAFFODIL

There is much debate about how the daffodil came to be named the national flower of Wales – but the clue could be in the title. The leek was the traditional emblem of Wales until the 19th-century. The Welsh name for daffodil Cenninen Pedr translates literally as ‘Saint Peter’s Leek’, which may have led to the confusion. It may also be because it blooms in early spring, coinciding with St David’s Day on March 1, when the flower is traditionally worn.

Answer 2

Certainly! The choice of a national symbol, whether it be a flower, a tree, or an animal, is often deeply rooted in a country's history, culture, and sometimes mythology. Let's explore the significance behind the choices of national symbols for England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales:

1. England - Rose: - The rose has been the national flower of England since the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars fought in the 15th century between the rivaling houses of Lancaster and York. The Wars of the Roses got their name from the emblems associated with the two houses - the red rose for Lancaster and the white rose for York. - The Tudor dynasty, which emerged victorious from the Wars of the Roses, combined the red and white roses to create the Tudor Rose as a symbol of unity. The Tudor Rose eventually became the floral emblem of England, representing the end of the conflict and the establishment of the Tudor monarchy.

2. Scotland - Thistle: - According to one legend, the choice of the thistle as the national symbol of Scotland dates back to a surprise nighttime raid by Norse invaders. As the Norse attackers approached, one stepped on a thistle, causing noise and alerting the Scots. The thistle thus helped Scotland avoid a surprise attack, and it became a symbol of protection and vigilance. - Another legend attributes the adoption of the thistle as a national emblem to a battle between the Scots and Norse, where a thistle's prickly nature again played a role in the Scots' defense.

3. Ireland - Shamrock: - The shamrock is a three-leaved clover and has been associated with Ireland for centuries. Legend has it that Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the Irish people during his missionary work. - The shamrock's use as a national symbol grew over time, representing Irish identity and culture. It is particularly associated with Saint Patrick's Day, a holiday celebrated on March 17th.

4. Wales - Daffodil/Leek: - The daffodil is often considered the national flower of Wales. Its association with the country might be more recent than some other national symbols, but it has become widely recognized as a Welsh emblem. The choice of the daffodil is often attributed to its Welsh name, "Cenhinen Bedr," which translates to "Peter's leek," linking it to Saint David, the patron saint of Wales. - The leek is another traditional emblem of Wales. Its association with Wales goes back to a legendary battle where Welsh soldiers wore leeks in their caps to distinguish themselves from their foes. The leek is still worn on St. David's Day, the national day of Wales.

In summary, the choices of national symbols are often influenced by historical events, legends, and cultural significance, reflecting the unique identity and heritage of each country.