The national systems of the UK

The emblem of England
This flower blooms in Great Britain in the first summer month. The English are great lovers of it. It is considered to be “the queen” of flowers. Have you already guessed what flower it is?
Yes, you are right. It is the rose.

Two Dukes fighting for the rights to the Crown of England
The Duke of York
White rose
The Duke of Lancaster
Red rose
Adopted over a century after the end of the wars
The War of the Roses

For many centuries the purple thistle has been Scotland’s national emblem.
There is a legend that explains why it became the Scottish emblem.
Ancient Scandinavians wanted to plunder the land of Scotland and settle there.
The Scots were sleeping and did not expect the enemies.
But one of the Norsemen stepped on a thistle. So the Scots heard this “alarm” and put the Norsemen to fight.
That is how the thistle became the emblem of Scotland.
The emblem of Scotland

Wales has got two national symbols:
They are both connected to the Patron Saint of Wales.
The emblem of Wales

The leek had been recognized as the emblem of Wales since the middle of the 16th century. Its association with Wales can in fact be traced back to the battle of Heath-field in 633 AD, when St. David persuaded his countrymen to distinguish themselves from their Saxon foes by wearing a leek in their caps.
It was decided that from 1984, British £1 coins would feature different reverse designs for each of the four parts of the United Kingdom. All £1 coins dated 1985 feature on the reverse the Welsh Leek.
Nowadays, the leek is worn on March 1 (St. David's Day—the Welsh national holiday) and at international rugby matches.
The Leek

The daffodil is also a Welsh national emblem because its Welsh name is translated as a type of leek.
The daffodil is also associated with St. David’s Day, due to the fact that it breaks into blossom on that day. Interesting to note that one of the many Welsh names for a daffodil is “Cenhinen Bedr” which means “Peter’s leek”.
The Daffodil

The Shamrock is the symbol of Northern Ireland. It is also connected to St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland.
Saint Patrick is most famous for bringing Christianity to Ireland.
The emblem of Northern Ireland

Interesting facts
Soldiers of the Royal Irish Regiment of the British army use the shamrock as their emblem, and wear a sprig of shamrock on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Queen Victoria decreed over a hundred years ago that soldiers from Ireland should wear a sprig of shamrock in recognition of Irish soldiers who had fought bravely in the Boer War.
During the Russian Civil War a British officer Col. P. S. Woods, of Belfast, established a Karelian Regiment which had a shamrock on an orange field as its regiment badge.
The shamrock has been registered as a trademark by the Government of Ireland. It is also informally used as an emblem for sports teams.

The Shamrock on flags
The flag of the city of Monreal has a shamrock that is located in the lower right quadrant. The shamrock represents the Irish population.

Four Leaf Clover is often confused with shamrock of symbolism attached to them. Four Leaf Clover is a symbol of good luck, while the trifoliate leaf clover is a symbol of Ireland and Irish people in general and Irish Christianity in particular.

Look at the screen and say which national emblem belongs to which country.
Quiz

What flower is considered to be “the queen” of flowers?
Daffodil
Rose
Poppy
The leek had been recognized as the emblem of Wales since…
the middle of the 16th century.
18-19th century
yesterday
The daffodil is the national emblem of...
Scotland c) England
Wales
Quiz

4. Saint Patrick is most famous for …
a) pictures;
b) his poems;
c) bringing Christianity to Ireland.
5. The Shamrock is the symbol of Northern Ireland. It is also connected to…
a) St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland;
b) St. David
Quiz

1 - Northern Ireland; 2 - England; 4 - Scotland; 6 - Wales.
b
a
b
c
a
Keys