Such diverse symbols of Great Britain

With what do we each associate a country like the UK? Perhaps the mind will immediately come to the dismal Tower, the famous Big Ben, the grandiose Ferris wheel "The London Eye", the royal guard at Buckingham Palace. This country is closely associated with fog, breakfast porridge, unshakable traditions, favorite detective Sherlock Holmes, the brand of Burrberry and much more. However, a powerful sea power has many symbols, which are associated with some episodes from its history.

First of all, it is worth mentioning the national symbols of Great Britain: the flag, the emblem, the anthem. The main product of the country is "God Save the King (Queen)!", Depending on who is currently occupying the throne. The coat of arms of the United Kingdom is considered to be the official coat of arms of the monarch of Britain. Other members of his family have their own symbols and titles. True, in the country there are two arms: Scottish and traditional British. In the usual version there are images of two lions and seven leopards, as well as unicorns. The shield is divided into four fields, where the emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland are placed.

What is the symbol of Great Britain? Of course, the flag, which is called "Union Jack." Jack is not a name, but an old word for a sailor. Initially, this flag was used exclusively in the fleet. The cloth itself denoted the union of the two kingdoms. The cross of St. George of England was superimposed on the Crossing of St. Andrew of Scotland on a blue background. What other British symbols are there? This is John Bull, who is similar to Uncle Sam from the United States. He is a fictional hero: a typical gentleman in a dress coat, fat, rich. Also popular is the symbol "Britain" - the female embodiment of the country. This is a girl in a helmet, sitting on the globe and holding in her hand a trident and a shield (a hint at the sea power of the state).

They were symbols of the United Kingdom common to the whole country. But each part of the United Kingdom has its own emblems.

Let's start with England. The symbol of this part of Britain is considered to be a red rose. It reminds us of the war of two flowers - scarlet and white. As you know, the red rose (that is, the house of the Lancaster) defeated the white (the House of the Orcs) and took the throne. The war ended with the marriage of two representatives of the warring dynasties. Also the emblem of England is a mighty oak tree.

Very often British symbols have a vegetative theme. Perhaps these are echoes of the beliefs of Celtic druids who worshiped the forces of nature. The emblem of Scotland is the thistle. According to the legend, this flower helped to discover the Scandinavians who took off their shoes in order to attack the sleeping inhabitants under cover of night. The loud scream of a Viking woke the defenders, and they drove the enemies away.

Wales has two symbols: leeks and daffodil. These are the plants that accompanied St. David. Onions he ate during the famine, and the narcissus helped him to win the war with the Saxons. The emblem of Northern Ireland is the trefoil - a plant of St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to these lands. And a red hand, symbolizing the thirst for power.

And which characters in the UK do you know?