Thistle

Thistles, Scottish thistle, Thistledown

A thistle wears a purple crown above a stem full of prickles, as if to say, "Admire me, but keep your distance." Scotland's emblem for more than five hundred years, it stands for pride, defense and a toughness that doesn't apologize. A thistle in your dream can point to someone in your life who is lovely and prickly at once, maybe you. Pulling one up barehanded suggests you're tackling a tricky job without the right protection. Goldfinches love thistle seeds, so a thistle full of birds is a cheerful sign that something rough can still feed others.

Dream variations

• Stepping barefoot on a thistleYou walked into a touchy subject without noticing. A quick, honest apology clears the way.
• A thistle in full bloomYour sharp edges and your beauty belong together. Don't hide either one.
• A lone thistle in a fieldYou're standing your ground somewhere you don't quite fit. That takes courage; let the right people come close.

Related symbols

Thorns · Weeds · Purple · Heather

Dream interpretations are for entertainment.