The History of the Saint Andrews Cross Flag of Scotland

The Saint Andrews flag, or the Saltire is one of the oldest national flags still in use today. King Angus was ruling when the Scots and the Pict's were to go to battle with the Angles. It is said that Saint Andrew came to him the previous night of the battle telling the King that the battle would be a successful one. The following morning a white Saltire cross appeared in the blue sky, and the flag has been in use since that time in 732 AD .

The Scottish parliament building in Edinburgh has the flag flying every day. The Union Jack is also flown outside this building which consists of both the colors of the Saint Andrews Cross and the Saint George Cross. The cross of the Scottish flag goes diagonally from each corner, whereas the English St George cross goes up, and down and from side to side. Some people complain as the Union Jack flag sometimes takes presidency over the Saint Andrews cross. It is a rule that the St Andrews cross is only flown on St Andrews day if the building has more than one flag pole. The Scottish parliament complained as Saint Andrew is the patron Saint of Scotland and this day is celebrated on the 30th of November each year. However, the parliament were not happy as they said Scotland was the only country that could not fly their national flag on their national day.

Over the years the blue used in the flag has ranged in color from shades of dark blue to light blue. In 2003 there was a petition to standardize the color of the flag. As of this year Pantone 300 has been adopted as the color for the flag, this color is of the lighter shade of blue. The Lion Rampant is the second flag of Scotland, it has a yellow background with a red lion in the middle surrounded by a red border. The lion came into play in the 12th century by William I, who was also known as William the Lion.

The Scottish Saltire is also used and incorporated into flags of other nations. The Canadian province of Nova Scotia uses the Saltire with a shield of the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland in the middle of the flag. St Andrew is also the Patron Saint of Russia, therefore the St Andrews cross is also the symbol of Russian flags. Alabama's state flag also has a crimson version of the saltire for its flag. This may have been adopted from the Confederate Battle flag which also bears the saltire. Sint-Oedenrode is a Dutch municipality that took it's name from a Scottish Princess named Saint Oda. This is why the St Andrews cross or Slatire is incorporated into this flags design.