Wednesday, September 5, 2012

X Marks the Spot: The Saltire

One of the most striking features on flags is the dynamic "X", otherwise known as a saltire. There is a flag known as "the Saltire", and it's the flag of Scotland.

Scotland's flag has been in use nearly as long an Denmark's, and is part of the basis for the UK flag (more on that later). Here it is:


That type of cross is called a St. Andrew's Cross, as the theory goes that St. Andrew was nailed up onto an "X" cross and died as such.

Some other famous saltires throughout the world are here as well.

The next is from a country that might have the highest gold medal-to-person ratio, mostly thanks to the sprinting prowess of Usain Bolt, Jamaica.


I've always considered the Jamaican flag very striking.

This next saltire is also known as St. Patrick's cross, the simple red saltire on the white field. This is particular is the flag of Alabama:


Here's another St. Andrew's cross, but with the colors inverted. It is used as the naval jack of the Russian fleet:


So, we have countries, an American state, and a naval ensign from a nation. The saltire can be seen in many  forms, almost as many as the Nordic Cross, especially when you look at the forms with adornments or other graphical additions.

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