Do you recognize the Scottish Flag? Let’s discover some fascinating information about the Scottish Flag through this post.
1. What is The Flag of Scotland?
The Saint Andrew’s Cross is another name for the Scottish national flag. Scotland’s patron saint is St. Andrew. The Saltire is another name for the flag. A white Saltire appears on a blue background on the flag.
Queen Margaret, the spouse of James III of Scotland, adopted the white Saltire as its first color. Scotland’s first flag was flown for the first time in history in the sixteenth century. Since then, there have been many different flag configurations created.
2. Facts about The Flag of Scotland
Europe’s oldest national flag
The oldest national flag in Europe, according to some, is the flag of Scotland.
Saltire on Blue
The Saltire is depicted on the flag’s azure blue background. The field is divided into four equal triangles by the Saltire.
Who is Saint Andrew?
One of Jesus Christ’s 12 Apostles was Saint Andrew. And crucified was he. He believed that he was not deserving to be killed on a cross that resembled that of Jesus Christ. He decided to die on a Saltire as a result (X-shape cross). Saltire has since been referred to as St. Andrew’s Cross.
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The Value of Blue and White
The color blue in the flag stands for the ideals of vigilance, justice, and perseverance, while the color white signifies peace.
The Saltire’s Flagpole Is One Of Five
Five flagpoles are located outside the Scottish Parliament. Between the Union Flag and the flag of the European Union is flown the flag of Scotland. For the United Nations Day and Commonwealth Day, the two remaining poles are used.
Vary from the Royal Standard
The Scottish National Flag is distinct from Scotland’s Royal Banner, the Lion Rampant. The Lion Rampant is regarded as Scotland’s unofficial flag. On the yellow field of the flag is a red lion within a red border.
One-Third Of Union Jack
Three flags—the flags of Scotland, England, and Wales, and Northern Ireland—make up the Union Jack, the national flag of the United Kingdom. The Kingdom of Scotland briefly adopted the Scottish Union Flag in the 17th century.
The Union Flag Is The Only Alternative
On all buildings, from eight in the morning to five in the evening, the Scottish flag may be flown, excluding United Kingdom national holidays. The Union Flag should be flown instead of the saltire if a building has only one flagpole.
Debate About The Angus Flag
A proposal to replace the Saltire with a new Angus Flag on Council Buildings was approved by Angus Council, a local authority in eastern Scotland, in 2007. Since the public reacted negatively to this approval, more than 2000 people signed a petition opposing the Council’s decision. The Angus flag would fly beside the Saltire as a compromise, nevertheless.
The Saltire’s Usage Outside of Scotland
In addition to Scotland, the Canadian province of Nova Scotia also uses the Saltire. However, their version is blue on a white background. The center of the flag features the Lion Rampant.
The flag of the Russian Navy is also a saltire. On a white field, it also features a blue Saltire. Russia, too has St. Andrew as its patron saint. The Saltire on the Dutch city of Sint-flag Oedenrode features the city’s coat of arms in the left triangle.
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