Cross of St. Andrew
Quick Summary
The Cross of St. Andrew is an emblem, most famously represented by the white saltire on a blue background, which is the flag of Scotland. According to legend, King Angus of Scotland saw a white saltire in the sky before a battle, which inspired its adoption. The first confirmed use of the symbol dates to 1286 on a Scottish government seal.1
St. Andrew himself is iconographically represented with an X-shaped cross, similar to the one on the Scottish flag. This association stems from late medieval accounts describing his crucifixion on an X-shaped cross and his status as the patron saint of Scotland. The saltire was also combined with the Cross of St. George to form early versions of the Union Jack when Scotland and England shared monarchs.21
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flag of Alabama…the design as a “Cross of St. Andrew,” although that name, as used in Scotland, had always signified a white saltire.
Read More…the design as a “Cross of St. Andrew,” although that name, as used in Scotland, had always signified a white saltire.
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flag of Scotland…the supposed origin of the Cross of St. Andrew, although the event, attributed to ad 737 or 832, is clearly apocryphal. The first corroborated use of the symbol dates from 1286, when it appeared in the government seal of the “guardians” of Scotland. The royal coat of arms of Scotland—a…
Read More…the supposed origin of the Cross of St. Andrew, although the event, attributed to ad 737 or 832, is clearly apocryphal. The first corroborated use of the symbol dates from 1286, when it appeared in the government seal of the “guardians” of Scotland. The royal coat of arms of Scotland—a…
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