What does Saltire mean in heraldry?

Definition of saltire : a heraldic charge consisting of a cross formed by a bend and a bend sinister crossing in the center.

Why is St Andrews cross diagonal?

History of St Andrew He was sentenced to death by crucifixion by the Romans in Greece, but asked to be crucified on a diagonal cross as he felt he wasn’t worthy to die on the same shape of cross as Jesus. This diagonal cross is now used on the Scottish flag – the Saltire.

What does a black Saltire mean?

This is a version of the Scottish Saltire but with a black background instead of blue. It is used by some independence supporters as a defiant alternative flag as they are unwilling to use the standard flag until Scotland regains its independent country status. It is seen as a symbol of hope for independence.

What Saints cross is on the Scottish flag?

St Andrew’s Cross
Flag of Scotland

Name	St Andrew’s Cross The Saltire
Use	Civil
Proportion	3:5
Adopted	1542 (national flag)
Design	A blue field with a white saltire that extends to the corners of the flag. In Blazon, Azure, a saltire Argent.

What is the St Andrews cross?

The St Andrew’s Cross or Saltire is Scotland’s national flag. Tradition has it that the flag, the white saltire on a blue background, the oldest flag in Europe and the Commonwealth, originated in a battle fought in East Lothian in the Dark Ages. It is believed that the battle took place in the year 832AD.

What is the meaning of St Andrews cross?

The Flag of Scotland, called The Saltire or Saint Andrew’s Cross, is a blue field with a white saltire. According to tradition, it represents Saint Andrew, who is supposed to have been crucified on a cross of that form (called a crux decussata) at Patras, Greece.

Why is the Confederate flag a saltire?

Arthur L. Rogers, designer of the final version of the Confederate National flag, claimed that it was based on the saltire of Scotland. The saltire is used on modern-day Southern U.S. state flags to honour the former Confederacy.

Why is the Scottish flag a saltire?

Origins of the Saltire In 60 AD, Saint Andrew (later known as the Patron Saint of Scotland) was crucified. Legend has it that he felt unworthy of being crucified on a cross similar to one Jesus Christ had died on, so it was arranged he would be crucified on a diagonal cross, also known as a saltire.

What is St Andrew cross?

Flag of Scotland, also known as St Andrew’s Cross, a white saltire on a blue field. Battle flag of the Confederate States Army, a blue cross of St Andrew, bearing either 12 or 13 stars, on a field of red.

Why is Scottish flag called saltire?

Design of the Scottish Flag The Scottish Saltire FlagThe white diagonal cross on the flag is known as a ‘saltire’, which means ‘a cross with diagonal bars of equal length’. This stems from the old French word saultoir or salteur, a word to describe a type of stile constructed from two cross pieces.

Why is the Confederate flag a Saltire?

What is the bondage cross called?

St Andrew’s Cross (BDSM Cross)

Why is it called a saltire?

The Scottish Saltire FlagThe white diagonal cross on the flag is known as a ‘saltire’, which means ‘a cross with diagonal bars of equal length’. This stems from the old French word saultoir or salteur, a word to describe a type of stile constructed from two cross pieces.

What is St Andrews cross on Confederate flag?

The battle flag features the cross of St. Andrew (the apostle was martyred by being crucified on an X-shaped cross), and is commonly called the “Southern Cross.” A large degree of the Southern population was of Scottish and Scotch-Irish ancestry, and thus familiar with St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

Why does Scotland use St Andrews cross?

According to tradition, it represents Saint Andrew, who is supposed to have been crucified on a cross of that form (called a crux decussata) at Patras, Greece. The Saint Andrew’s Cross was worn as a badge on hats in Scotland, on the day of the feast of Saint Andrew.

What is the difference between the saltire and the Lion Rampant?

The Royal Banner of Scotland, more commonly known as Lion Rampant of Scotland, was historically used by the Scottish Monarchs. This flag differs in use from the Saltire, as it can only be used by royalty. As there hasn’t been a Scottish King or Queen since the 17th Century, it now belongs to Queen Elizabeth II.

Why is it called a Saltire?

What is Saint Andrews cross used for?

What does a saltire cross mean?

Saltire. A warning sign in the shape of a saltire is also used to indicate the point at which a railway line intersects a road at a level crossing. In Unicode, the cross is encoded at U+2613 ☓SALTIRE (HTML ☓ ). See X mark for similar symbols that might be more accessible.

What church has a saltire on its coat of arms?

The Church of England Diocese of Truro, established in 1876, has a Saint Patrick’s Saltire in its arms, representing “the ancient Celtic Church”. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, whose cathedral is St Patrick’s, incorporates the saltire.

Why is the saltire called St Andrew’s Cross?

Reference to the saltire as “St Andrew’s Cross” is made by the Parliament of Scotland (where Andrew had been adopted as patron saint) in 1385, in a decree to the effect that every Scottish and French soldier (fighting against the English under Richard II) “shall have a sign before and behind, namely a white St. Andrew’s Cross”.

What is the meaning of St Patrick’s saltire?

Saint Patrick’s Saltire. Saint Patrick’s Saltire or Saint Patrick’s Cross is a red saltire (X-shaped cross) on a white field, used to represent the island of Ireland or Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.