Why is the Thistle Scotland’s Emblem?

The earliest reference to the thistle as the national emblem of Scotland is found in a document of the reign of James III, dated in the latter half of the fifteenth century.  It is generally suppose to have been adopted as a fitting illustration of the royal motto. “In Defense,” The thistle being so well provided with sharp points and prickles for its own defense against possible enemies. An old story, however, handed down for centuries, throws back the origin of the thistle as a national emblem to much older times.  It is said that in the days when Danes used to make foraging expeditions upon the Scottish coast they one day prepared a night attack and under cover of the darkness were approaching the Scottish camp bare-footed and silent, when suddenly a Dane stepped upon a thistle and the prickly leaves made him howl with pain, so that an alarm was given to the Scots, and the attack repelled. Ever since that time the thistle has been regarded by the Scots as their national emblem.