page_title: Order of the Thistle
section_title: Habit and insignia
hierarchical_section_title: Order of the Thistle / Habit and insignia
caption_attribution_description: Nederlands: Scan van een boek uit de 19e eeuw (1893) Robert Prummel 3 jun 2006 04:57 (CEST) English: Star of the w:Order of the Thistle
context_page_description: The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order. The Order consists of the Sovereign and sixteen Knights and Ladies, as well as certain "extra" knights. The Sovereign alone grants membership of the Order; he or she is not advised by the Government, as occurs with most other Orders.
  The Order's primary emblem is the thistle, the national flower of Scotland. The motto is Nemo me impune lacessit. The same motto appears on the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom for use in Scotland and some pound coins, and is also the motto of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the Scots Guards, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and The Black Watch of Canada. The patron saint of the Order is St Andrew.
  Most British orders of chivalry cover the whole United Kingdom, but the three most exalted ones each pertain to one constituent country only. The Order of the Thistle, which pertains to Scotland, is the second most senior in precedence.
context_section_description: For the Order's great occasions, such as its annual service each June or July, as well for coronations, the Knights and Ladies wear an elaborate costume:
  The mantle is a green robe worn over their suits or military uniforms. The mantle is lined with white taffeta; it is tied with green and gold tassels. On the left shoulder of the mantle, the star of the Order (see below) is depicted.
  The hat is made of black velvet and is plumed with white feathers with a black egret's or heron's top in the middle.
  The collar is made of gold and depicts thistles and sprigs of rue. It is worn over the mantle.
  The St Andrew, also called the badge-appendant, is worn suspended from the collar. It comprises a gold enamelled depiction of St Andrew, wearing a green gown and purple coat, holding a white saltire. Gold rays of a glory are shown emanating from St Andrew's head.
  Aside from these special occasions, however, much simpler insignia are used whenever a member of the Order attends an event at which decorations are worn:
  The star of the Order consists of a silver St Andrew's saltire, with clusters of rays between the arms thereof. In the centre is depicted a green circle bearing the motto of the Order in gold majuscules; within the circle, there is depicted a thistle on a gold field. It is worn pinned to the left breast. (Since the Order of the Thistle is the second most senior chivalric order in the UK, a member will wear its star above that of other orders to which he or she belongs, except that of the Order of the Garter; up to four orders' stars may be worn.)
  The broad riband is a dark green sash worn across the body, from the left shoulder to the right hip.
  At the right hip of the Riband, the badge of the Order is attached. The badge depicts St Andrew in the same form as the badge-appendant, surrounded by the Order's motto.
  However, on certain collar days designated by the Sovereign, members attending formal events may wear the Order's collar over their military uniform, formal wear, or other costume. They will then substitute the broad riband of another order to which they belong (if any), since the Order of the Thistle is represented by the collar.
  Upon the death of a Knight or Lady, the insignia must be returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. The badge and star are returned personally to the Sovereign by the nearest relative of the deceased.
  Officers of the Order also wear green robes. The Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod also bears, as the title suggests, a green rod.
  One unusual member of the Order of the Thistle was James, Earl of Southesk (1827-1905). He was recognised by the Order for his adventurous spirit and his passion for the wilds of Canada. His portrait in marble by William Grant Stevenson depicts a stern man who had placed himself at some risk as he travelled through the Canadian wilderness and wrote about his admiration for the native peoples of North America.
caption: The star of the Order of the Thistle
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