The History of our National Flower Emblems

 

 

The Rose – Adopted as England’s flower emblem during the Civil War (1455-1485), known as the War of the Roses. The Royal House of Lancaster being the red rose and the Royal House of York being the white. King Henry VII chose to combine both roses into a single red and white Tudor Rose at the end of the war.

The Thistle – Was adopted as the emblem of Scotland during the reign of Alexander III (1249-1286). Legend has it that the army of King Haakon of Norway, intent on conquering the Scots, landing at night removed their footwear to allow them to move quietly onto the sleeping camp: and are said to have stood on the thistle and cried out, awakening the Scots.

The Daffodil – One of the possible reasons for this emblem to be used for Wales is that the words for Leek (the traditional welsh emblem) and daffodil in Welsh are the same – Cenhinen being Leek, and Cenhinen Pedr being Daffodil.

The Shamrock – Is believed to be originally chosen as the emblem for Ireland by St Patrick who used the three leafed plant to show the doctrine of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Shamrock has been considered by the Irish as a good luck symbol since earliest times.