Flag of Scotland
The national flag of Scotland is a white saltire on a blue field. The saltire or an X-shaped cross represents the cross of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland. Hence, the flag is referred to as the saltire or Saint Andrew’s cross.
Specifications
Dimensions
There is no specified proportion set for the flag. However, its proportion is generally taken as 1:2, 2:3, 3:5, or 4:5. The bars of the saltire should be 1/5 of the width of the flag.
Color
Differing tones of blue have been used on the flag at various points throughout history. Tones used varied from as light as sky blue or as dark as navy blue depending on the available dye during that period. When the St. Andrew’s cross was incorporated in the Union Flag, the blue hue that was used was that of the blue ensign of the Royal Navy.
Navy blue was later applied later on to the Saltire by flag manufacturers. This resulted in the variety of blues depicted on the flag.
The Scotland government solved this dilemma in 2003 by adopting a standard for the color blue. Pantone 300 was adopted as the standard, with RGB 0, 114, 198 and #0072C6 in Hexadecimal as its variations in other color schemes.
History
There is no official date for the adoption of the Scottish flag. However, the use of St. Andrew’s cross has been dated back as far back as the 8 th century.
One legend depicts the origins of the use of St. Andrew’s cross. According to the legend, King Angus prayed for intervention when he led the Picts and Scots in battle against the Angles. St. Andrew, who was martyred on a saltire, appeared to the king and promised him victory. The next day, a white saltire appeared in the blue sky, heartening the Picts and Scots. The ensuing battle resulted in the defeat of the Angles. Since then, the white saltire on a blue background had been the Scottish flag.
However, there is evidence on the use of the saltire dating as far back as the 12 th century. This was when the Parliament of Scotland ruled that their soldiers should wear the saltire for identification.
By the late 14 th century, modifications to the legend of King Angus had been made to include the crux decussata appearing against a blue sky instead of the saltire. This design had become the national flag of Scotland.
