The Flag of Scotland - Description of the Scottish Flag
As the above picture of the Scottish Flag indicates the overall background is Blue
The description of the Scottish Flag is as follows:
The flag of Scotland features a white X-shaped cross representing the cross of the Christian martyr Saint Andrew (Scotland's patron saint) on a blue field
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Scottish flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The basic style shown in the picture of the Scottish flag is described as a Cross reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Scottish flag is described as 3:5
The emblem on the Scottish flag pictures the cross of St. Andrew
The Meaning & History of the Scottish Flag
St. Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland
St. Andrew's's day is celebrated on November 30th
St. David was an early crusader for Christianity and was thought to have been a fisherman in Galilee and became a desciple of Jesus Christ, founder of the Christian religion
The History of the Scottish Flag and its inclusion in the British Union Jack
Queen Elizabeth I ruled a divided nation. As the "Virgin Queen" she named the son of Mary Queen of Scots (her cousin) as her successor
James VI of Scotland therefore also became James I of England and on April 12, 1606
The first 'Union Flag' was created by using ecclesiastical heraldry by combining the red cross of St. George of England and the saltire of St. Andrew of Scotland
This was not a totally accurate representation of the flags as the blue background of the Scottish national flag is a lighter "sky" blue than the dark blue used on the Union Flag
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Scottish Flag Etiquette
Scottish Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Scottish as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Scottish
State Flag of Scottish
Military Flag of Scottish (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Scottish
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Scottish Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Scottish should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Scottish flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Scottish should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Scottish flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Scottish, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Scottish Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Scottish flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Scottish flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Scottish flag to the top, then lowering the Scottish Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Scottish flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Scottish flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Scottish flag
The Scottish flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Scottish flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Scottish flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Scottish Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Scottish Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Scotland
Location:
Western Europe, Northern section of British Isles between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France
Land Size of Scotland : 30977.59 miles
Climate / Weather of Scotland : temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
Scottish Capital City: Edinburgh
Main Industries : machine tools, electric power & automation equipment, railroad equipment, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods
Main Colors of the Scottish Flag : Blue with white cross
Commonly mis-spelt as Scotish
The Celts and Ancient Scottish History
Bronze and Iron Age - The emergence of the Celts across Europe
400BC - By this time the ancient culture of the Celts had settled in many European countries including Austria, Britain, France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Western Germany, Northern Spain, Turkey and Hungary
The Celts were people from various tribes and were called Galli by the Romans and Galatai or Keltoi by the Greeks. These terms all had one meaning in common - barbarian
It is from the Greek, Keltoi, that Celt is derived
Despite the name of Barbarian the Celtic society was based almost entirely on pastoralism and the raising of cattle or sheep
15 BC The Romans had begun to extend their empire. Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Roman name for the region of Europe occupied by the Celts. The word Gaul commonly refers to a Celt inhabitant of that region in ancient times
224 - 220 BC - Rome conquered the Celts
Concise History of Scotland & its Flag
55BC Julius Caesar lands in Britain
80AD The Roman, Julius Agricola invades "Albion" or "Caledonia" the ancient names for Scotland
84AD Celtic tribes of Caledonia unite under Calgacus but are defeated by the Romans
121 - 129 Hadrian's Wall is built by the Romans
397 - St Ninian brings Christianity to Scotland
476 The Roman Empire collapses
800 - 900s Vikings raid Scotland
1005 King Malcolm II rules Scotland and defeats the Vikings at the battle of Mortlach
1034 - 1040 King Duncan I
1040 - 1057 Macbeth kills Duncan to become King of Scotland
1272 William Wallace born
1274 Robert the Bruce born
1297 Scottish war of Independence led by William Wallace
1298 Scots Defeated by Edward I of England
1305 William Wallace executed
1306 Robert the Bruce crowned King
1314 Battle of Bannockburn when Robert the Bruce defeats the English and gains Scottish independence
1371 Robert II the first Stewart King takes the throne
1513 Battle of Flodden and James IV killed in battle
1559 Start of the Reformation in Scotland with John Knox's sermon at Perth
1561 Mary Queen of Scots returns to Scotland from France
1565 Mary Queen of Scots marries Henry, Lord Darnley
1567 Henry Darnley murdered
1568 Mary Queen of Scots flees to England and is imprisoned by Elizabeth I. Her baby son becomes James VI of Scotland
1587 Mary Queen of Scots executed at Fotheringay Castle
1603 James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England bringing about the Union of the Crowns
1692 The Massacre of Glencoe - The Campbells murder the MacDonald clan
1707 The Act of Union is passed and Scotland is formally united with England to form Great Britain
1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie - Prince Charles Edward Stuart - returns to Scotland to claim the British throne
1746 Battle of Culloden where the Jacobite Scots defeated and Bonnie Prince Charlie flees to France
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
The Scottish Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Scottish Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
