A thistle emblem.

A thistle has nothing pleasant in it, especially if you carelessly touch its thorns. But it has an important meaning for the people of Scotland. Why did the Scottish people choose this thorny plant as the national emblem of their country? The answer is interesting. People say that during a surprise night attack by the invaders the Scottish soldiers were awakened by the shouts of the invaders as their bare feet touched the thorns of the thistles in the fields they were crossing. This, of course, was the good reason to choose the thistle as a national emblem!