Flag of Scotland

Name	Saltire
Use	Civil and state flag. flag of south africa This is an incomplete blue white red black green, saltire flag Nicknames. The design and description of Flags typically uses specialised flag terminology' with precise and technical meanings and is hence a form of Jargon. A civil flag is a version of the National flag that is flown by civilians on non-government installations or craft There are two separate meanings for the term state flag in Vexillology – the flag of state of a Government, and the flag of an individual subnational state A flag is a piece of Cloth, often flown from a pole or mast, generally used Symbolically for signaling or identification
Proportion	1:2, 2:3, 3:5, or 4:5
Adopted	14th century (approx)[1]
Design	White saltire on a blue field

The Flag of Scotland is a white saltire, a crux decussate (X-shaped cross) representing the cross of the Christian martyr Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, on a blue field. White is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eye Blue is a Colour, the Perception of which is evoked by In Heraldry, the background of the Shield is called the field. St Andrew's Cross redirects here For the item of BDSM furniture see Saint Andrew's Cross (BDSM A saltire, Saint Andrew's Cross A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other dividing one or two of the lines in half A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It is named the Saltire or the Saint Andrew's Cross. In heraldic language, it may be blazoned Azure, a saltire argent. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. In Heraldry and heraldic Vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of most often a Coat of arms or Flag, which enables a person to This article is about the heraldic tincture. For other meanings see Azure (disambiguation. In Heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals"

Contents 1 History 2 Flying the flag 2.1 Scottish Parliament 2.2 Edinburgh Castle 2.3 Scottish Government 2.4 Others 3 Colour and dimensions 4 Outside Scotland 5 Incorporation into the Union Flag 6 Lion Rampant 7 See also 8 External links 9 References

History

According to legend, in 832 A. D. King Óengus (II) (or King Angus) led the Picts and Scots in battle against the Angles under a king named Athelstan near modern-day Athelstaneford in East Lothian. Óengus mac Fergusa (variants Onuist, Hungus or Angus) was king of the Picts (or of Fortriu) in modern Scotland, from The Picts were a Confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century The Angles is a modern English word for a Germanic-speaking people who took their name from the cultural ancestral region of Angeln, a modern district located in Athelstaneford is a village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the town of Haddington and lies approximately 20 miles east of Edinburgh East Lothian ( Lodainn an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 Unitary council areas in Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. King Angus and his men were surrounded and he prayed for deliverance. Deliverance is a 1972 Warner Bros motion picture drama directed by John Boorman. During the night Saint Andrew, who was martyred on a saltire cross, appeared to Angus and assured him of victory. The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom On the following morning a white saltire against the background of a blue sky appeared to both sides. St Andrew's Cross redirects here For the item of BDSM furniture see Saint Andrew's Cross (BDSM A saltire, Saint Andrew's Cross The Picts and Scots were heartened by this, but the Angles lost confidence and were defeated. This saltire design has been the Scottish flag ever since.

Material evidence of the saltire's use dates from somewhat later. In 1385 the Parliament of Scotland decreed that Scottish soldiers should wear the saltire as a distinguishing mark. This article is about the pre-1707 parliament The article on the devolved legislative body established in 1999 is at Scottish Parliament. The earliest surviving Scottish flag consisting solely of the saltire dates from 1503: a white cross on a red background. By 1540 the legend of King Angus had been altered to include the vision of the crux decussata against a blue sky. Thereafter, this saltire design in its present form became the national flag of Scotland. A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as well

Flying the flag

Scottish Parliament

There are five flagpoles outside the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh. The Scottish Parliament Building (Pàrlamaid na h-Alba is the home of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site The Saltire is flown every day, alongside the Union Flag and the EU Flag. The fourth flagpole is used for special occasions such as Commonwealth Day and United Nations Day. Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations held on the second Monday in March and marked by a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey United Nations Day, proclaimed in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly, is held annually on 24 October, the anniversary of the coming into force The fifth pole is used for the Royal Standard. For other monarchs' standards see Royal Standard. The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom is the Flag used by ^[2]

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is managed by Historic Scotland, but it still has a military garrison of the British Army. Edinburgh Castle is an ancient Stronghold which dominates the sky-line of the Historic Scotland is an Executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Like all British Army bases, it flies the Union Flag (in ratio 5:3) and the Army flies it every day from the Clock Tower. The Saltire is flown every day at the Half Moon Battery. ^[3]

The flying of the Union Flag at Edinburgh Castle has sometimes caused controversy. In 2001, a group of 20 Scottish National Party MSPs called for the Union Flag to be replaced by the Saltire. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Scottish National Party (SNP (Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba Scottis Naitional Pairtie is a Centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish ^[4]

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has decreed that the Flag will fly on all its buildings every day from 8am until sunset. The Scottish Government (SG ( Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba) is the executive arm of the government of Scotland. The Scottish Government (SG ( Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba) is the executive arm of the government of Scotland. An exception is made for "national days". On these days, the Saltire shall be lowered and replaced with the Union Flag. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. These days are the same as the flag days of the United Kingdom with the exception of 3 September (Merchant Navy Day), which is a specific flag day in Scotland and during which the Red Ensign may also be used. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the royal banner locally known as the Union Flag or popularly Union Jack Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius The Red Ensign or " Red Duster " is a Flag that originated in the early 17th century as an Ensign flown by the Royal Navy.

Another difference with the UK days is that on Saint Andrew's Day, the Union Flag will only be flown if the building has more than one flagpole - the Saltire will not be lowered to make way for the Union Flag if there is only one flagpole. ^[5] This difference arose after Members of the Scottish Parliament complained that Scotland was the only country in the world that could not fly its national flag on its national day. Member of the Scottish Parliament ( MSP) ( Ball Pàrlamaid na h-Alba ( BPA) in Gaelic) is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected ^[6]

Others

The Flag can be flown at any time by any individual, company, local authority, hospital or school. There is no need to have planning permission to fly the flag from a vertical flagpole.

In recent years, embassies of the United Kingdom have flown the Saltire to mark St Andrew's Day.

Most local authorities in Scotland fly the Saltire. Glasgow City Council fly the flag from the City Chambers building in George Square ^[7], while the City of Edinburgh Council fly the flag from their own city chambers.

In 2007 Angus Council led by Robert Myles decided to scrap the Saltire and replace it with a new Angus flag. Angus ( Aonghas in Gaelic) is one of the 32 local government Council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. This move led to public outcry across Scotland with more than 7,000 people signing a petition opposing the council's move, leading to a compromise whereby the Angus flag would not replace but be flown alongside the Saltire on Council buildings. ^[8]

Colour and dimensions

At various times throughout history colours as light as sky blue or as dark as dark navy blue have been used (a selection apparently motivated by which colour of blue dye was available at the time). Azure is a Blue Color on the HSV color wheel at 210 degrees Azure is the Hue that is halfway between Blue and Cyan Navy blue is a dark shade of the Color Blue. Navy blue got its name from the dark blue (contrasted with white worn by officers in the Royal Navy since When incorporated as part of the Union Flag, the navy blue colour used was that of the Blue ensign belonging to the historic 'Blue Squadron' of the English Royal Navy. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Blue Ensign is a Flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service)

Although this navy blue colour was used specifically for depicting the Union Flag on maritime flags on the basis of durability, it soon became standard on Union Flags, both on land and at sea. A maritime flag is a Flag designated for use on Boats and other watercraft This navy blue colour trend was adopted for the Saltire itself by many flag manufacturers, resulting in a variety of shades of blue being depicted on the flag of Scotland ranging from "sky blue" to "royal blue" to "navy blue". Eventually, this situation resulted in calls to standardise the colour of Scotland's national flag.

In 2003, a committee of the Scottish Parliament met to examine a petition that the Scottish Government adopt the Pantone 300 colour as a standard. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Scottish Parliament ( Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scottish Pairlament) is the devlolved national unicameral The Scottish Government (SG ( Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba) is the executive arm of the government of Scotland. Pantone Inc is a corporation headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey, USA (Note that this blue is of a lighter shade than the Pantone 280 of the Union Flag). Having taken advice from a number of sources including the office of the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the committee recommended that the optimum shade of blue for the Saltire should be Pantone 300 (that is, 0, 114, 198 in the RGB color model, or #0072C6 as hexadecimal web colors). The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility Web colors are Colors used in designing web pages and the methods for describing and specifying those colors Recent versions of the Saltire have therefore largely converged on this official recommendation.

The flag proportions are not fixed, but is generally taken as 1:2, 2:3, 3:5 or 4:5. The bars in the cross should be 1/5 (i. e. , 20%) the width of the flag.

Outside Scotland

Inverse representations, (blue saltire on a white field), of the Scottish Saltire are also used outside Scotland. In Canada, an inverse representation of the Saltire, combined with the shield from the Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland, forms the modern flag of the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia, the first colonial venture of the Kingdom of Scotland into the Americas. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland was the official Coat of arms of the monarchs of Scotland, and were used as the official coat of arms of the Kingdom of The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second largest country in total area. Nova Scotia (ˌnəʊvəˈskəʊʃə ( Latin for New Scotland; Alba Nuadh Nouvelle-Écosse is a Canadian province located on Canada 's The Kingdom of Scotland ( Gaelic: Rìoghachd na h-Alba, Scots: Kinrick o Scotland) was a State in northwest Europe The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the Continents of North America and South America

In Russia, during the period before and after the Soviet Union, the naval ensign of the Russian Navy has been an inverse representation of the Cross of Saint Andrew. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 A maritime flag is a Flag designated for use on Boats and other watercraft The Russian Navy or VMF ( Russian: Военно-Морской Флот (ВМФ России- Voyenno-Morskoy Flot Rossii (VMF or literally Military Maritime (Saint Andrew is also a patron saint of Russia). The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members The very same Saltire was also flown as the flag of Galicia in Spain until 1891, when Russia requested the Galician flag to be modified in order to avoid confusion between Galician ships and Russian Navy ships. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The current Galician flag is actually the original blue-over-white saltire but without one of the arms of the cross. The modern Flag of Galicia was created in the 19th century as a copy of the naval flag of the Galician city of A Coruña.

The U.S. state of Alabama's flag is officially "a crimson cross of St. A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government The flag of Alabama was adopted by Act 383 of the Alabama state legislature on February 16 1895 Andrew on a field of white," but the reference is used only to describe the shape without using the vexillological term saltire as that flag's origins are from either or both of the Confederate Battle Flag or the Cross of Burgundy Flag, both of which have saltires and are associated with the history of that state. The Confederate States of America used several Flags during its existence from 1861 to 1865 The Cross of Burgundy Flag was used by Spain 1506-1701 as a naval Ensign, and up to 1843 as the land battle flag and still appears on regimental colours badges Similarly, the Spanish island of Tenerife and the remote Colombian islands of San Andrés and Providencia also use the saltire on their flags. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The flag of Tenerife is a white Saltire (or St Andrew's Cross) over a blue field. Colombia (kəˈlʌmbɪə officially the Republic of Colombia () is a country in northwestern South America. Archipelago of San Andres Providencia and Santa Catalina or colloquially San Andres y Providencia is one of the departments of Colombia.

The Scottish Saltire is also used unofficially by students and graduates of Xavier University because of the university's blue and white official colors and the resemblance of the flag to the letter "X". Xavier University is a private, Jesuit, co-educational University in the United States located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is also the flag for St. Andrew's Scots School, Argentina (founded in 1838) and its "spinoff" university Universidad de San Andrés. The Universidad de San Andrés ( Saint Andrew's University; cf

The Dutch municipality of Sint-Oedenrode, named after the Scottish princess Saint Oda, also uses the Saltire as the basis of its flag. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Sint-Oedenrode ( is a Municipality and a city in the South of the Netherlands. For Saint Oda of Canterbury see Oda the Severe Saint Oda of Scotland (c

Incorporation into the Union Flag

The Scottish Saltire and field is one of the key components of the Union Flag. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ^[9] The Union Flag has been used in a variety of forms since 1606,^[10] when the flags of the Kingdom of Scotland and Kingdom of England were first merged to symbolise the Union of the Crowns. The Kingdom of Scotland ( Gaelic: Rìoghachd na h-Alba, Scots: Kinrick o Scotland) was a State in northwest Europe The Kingdom of England was a State (927-1707 located in Western Europe dating from the ninth or tenth century to the early eighteenth century when it was legally The Union of the Crowns was the Accession of James VI, King of Scots, to the throne of England in March 1603 thus uniting Scotland and England ^[11] (The Union of the Crowns having occurred in 1603). In Scotland, and in particular on Scottish vessles at sea, historical evidence suggests that a separate design of Union Flag was flown to that used in England. ^[12] However, following the Acts of Union of 1707, which united the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England, the 'English' version of the Union Flag was adopted as the official flag of the unified Kingdom of Great Britain. The Acts of Union were a pair of Parliamentary Acts passed during 1706 and 1707 by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland to put into Year 1707 ( MDCCVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 ^[13]

From 1801, in order to symbolise the union of the Kingdom of Great Britain with the Kingdom of Ireland, a new design which included the St Patrick's Cross was adopted for the flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Year 1801 ( MDCCCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Tuesday The Kingdom of Ireland (Ríocht na hÉireann was the name given to the Irish state from 1541 by the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 of the Parliament of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Flag (Cros Phádraig is a flag of Ireland that features in the Flag of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 ^[14] This new design, having remained unchanged following the partition of Ireland in 1921 and creation of the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland, continues to be used as the flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Partition of Ireland took place on 3 May 1921 under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Year 1921 ( MCMXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1921 calendar of the Gregorian calendar The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

The Saltire, the flag of Scotland: A white saltire on a blue field. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. (Shown is the recommended "Pantone 300" shade).

The 'Scotch' Union Flag may have seen limited use in Scotland from 1606 to 1707, following the Union of the Crowns. The Kingdom of Scotland ( Gaelic: Rìoghachd na h-Alba, Scots: Kinrick o Scotland) was a State in northwest Europe Year 1707 ( MDCCVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Union of the Crowns was the Accession of James VI, King of Scots, to the throne of England in March 1603 thus uniting Scotland and England

The Union Flag, 1606 (King's Colours), used mostly in England and, from 1707, the flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain. The Kingdom of England was a State (927-1707 located in Western Europe dating from the ninth or tenth century to the early eighteenth century when it was legally The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800

Union Flag used since 1801, incorporating the Cross of Saint Patrick, following the Act of Union between Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland. Year 1801 ( MDCCCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Tuesday Saint Patrick (Patricius Irish: Naomh Pádraig) was a Roman Britain -born Christian Missionary and is the Patron saint The phrase Act of Union 1800 (or sometimes Act of Union 1801) (Acht an Aontais 1800 is used to describe two complementary Acts whose official United Kingdom titles are The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 The Kingdom of Ireland (Ríocht na hÉireann was the name given to the Irish state from 1541 by the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 of the Parliament of Ireland.

Lion Rampant

The Royal Standard of the King of Scots, also known as the Royal Flag of Scotland or the Lion Rampant, is the flag used historically by the King of Scots. The Royal Standard of Scotland, also known as the Royal Standard of the King of Scots or more commonly the Lion Rampant was the flag used historically by the The Royal Standard of Scotland, also known as the Royal Standard of the King of Scots or more commonly the Lion Rampant was the flag used historically by the The monarch of Scotland was the Head of state of the Kingdom of Scotland. It remains the personal banner of the monarch and use of this flag is restricted under the Act of the Parliament of Scotland 1672 cap. This article is about the pre-1707 parliament The article on the devolved legislative body established in 1999 is at Scottish Parliament. 47 and 30 & 31 Vict. cap. 17. ^[15]

Despite the legal restrictions concerning the use of this flag, it is often regarded as a second, albeit unofficial, national flag for Scotland, most often seen at sporting events.

See also

• The Bearer of the National Flag of Scotland
• Royal Banner of Scotland
• Royal coat of arms of Scotland
• List of Scottish flags
• List of British flags
• Saint Patrick's Flag
• Saltire

External links

• Information on the Saltire from the soc.culture.scottish FAQ

References

• Petition Number 512
• Saint Andrew in the National Archives of Scotland

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