British Athletics Championships & Olympic Trials, Birmingham, 24-26 June
The best of sporting Britain will descend on Birmingham as they compete for the prestigious honour of being crowned British champion as well as a place on the British Athletics team for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Over 600 athletes from across the country will compete over the three days and more than 20 finals will be settled in a scintillating three hour programme on the Sunday.
To celebrate the championships, we take a look at the national flowers of Britain and what they represent.
England – Rose
The Tudor rose was adopted as a national emblem for England around the time of the Wars of the Roses as a symbol of peace. Whilst the red rose is used in various ways to represent England, it is in fact the traditional flower of Lancashire. Today, the flower is regarded as a symbol of hope, prosperity and unity.
Scotland – Thistle
The national flower of Scotland is the thistle, a prickly-leaved purple-pink flower which was first used in the 15th century as a symbol of defence. The country is home to not just one, but many varieties of thistle, some native and others exotic. It isn’t known which of the species is the true symbol of Scotland, but could possibly be the Spear, or maybe the Melancholy or Musk?
Wales – Daffodil
Traditionally worn on St. David’s Day, the daffodil is thought to be an attractive alternative to the humble leek after being introduced during the 19th century. David Lloyd George, the only Welshman to serve as Prime Minister, was an advocate for the daffodil and how it symbolised nature’s optimism when it appeared in early spring.
Northern Ireland – Shamrock
Most commonly associated with St. Patrick, the shamrock soon became Ireland’s national symbol when it was taken up as an emblem by rival militias. The three-leaved plant is similar to the clover and an Irish tale tells of how St. Patrick used it explain the Trinity. Since the 1800 Acts of Union between Britain and Ireland, the shamrock has been incorporated into the Royal Coat of Arms to symbolise unity.
