Thistle (heraldry)
The thistle is a common figure in heraldry and, like the rose and the lily , is one of the most common heraldic flowers. The donkey thistle is shown primarily . The closed flower shows blue petals and the calyx and stem are green. Leaves are shown spiky in pairs. The side view of the plant is preferred.
The great fame in heraldry was achieved through the representation on the pedestal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain as a symbol for Scotland . In Nancy , the thistle has become a symbol of resistance. The coat of arms motto in French refers to the thistle in the coat of arms and describes the appearance of the plant: "Qui s'y frotte s'y pique", which means: "Whoever rubs against it stings himself". Even Montreal leads this flower in the city coat of arms and flag. The coat of arms of Albstadt shows a silver thistle , as does that of Pollenfeld . In Baienfurt it is a weaver thistle . In Pithiviers it is shown two over one in a three pass .
As a heraldic animal , the donkey often has the thistle as a feature in its mouth.
Orders have chosen the thistle as a symbol, such as the thistle order or the order of the thistle in France.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Gert Oswald : Lexicon of Heraldry. VEB Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig 1984.
