NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT .
This is the motto of Scotland and the Order of the Thistle. This Scottish motto means “no one provokes me with impunity “ has been associated with the thistle since the defeat of (the legend says) a Danish or Norwegian raiding party (depending on what you read) in possibly the mid-13 century.
The raiders stood on thistles, and this resulted in significant pain. Their cries then alerted the sleeping Scots to their presence.
It has been the national emblem of Scotland since the reign of Alexander III (1249-1286) and was used on silver coins issued by James III in 1470.
And so the thistle is regarded as having a significant influence on Scottish history.
