St. Andrew's Cross
Among the oldest national flags, the flag of St. Andrew's cross dates back at least to the 12th century. The earliest known record of this flag comes from 1180 A.D. although at that time, it was used as a religious rather than a national emblem.
St. Andrew was a disciple of Christ and it is believed that he was crucified on a diagonal cross.
One legend holds that the St. Andrew's cross flag was in use as early as 832 A.D. when a Scottish king, facing a Northumbrian army with his own, prayed to the saint for help. Then, seeing St. Andrew's cross against the blue sky, he swore that if his army were victorious, St. Andrew would forever be the patron saint of Scotland. The Scots went on to win the battle, and St. Andrew's cross has been the flag of Scotland ever since.
In heraldry, 'saltire' refers to a field which is divided into four parts by two crossed diagonal lines. The Scottish flag is therefore sometimes called 'the saltire of Scotland'.
The Lion Rampant
Although this flag has come to be used as a second flag of Scotland, it is actually the flag of Scottish royalty. As such, it should only be flown to indicate the presence of the monarch of Scotland, currently the queen of the United Kingdom. A number of clan chiefs now urge their clansmen not to fly the Lion Rampant flag as a general purpose flag. The official position of the Lord Lyon is that this flag may be waved at football matches and other events to demonstrate Scottish pride and loyalty, but should not be flown from a flagpole without his permission.
In heraldry, the term 'rampant' refers to the lion's position as erect, facing right, and with only one foot touching the ground. This was the earliest position of the heraldic lion.
In 1707, the Act of Union was passed by the parliaments of England and Scotland. This combined the nations and created the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Another Act of Union, which took effect on January 1, 1801,
combined Ireland and the Kingdom of Great Britain.
It was the combination of the crosses of St. Patrick, representing Ireland; St. Andrew, representing Scotland; and St. George, representing England which created the modern Union Jack flag in 1801.
The official name of the country is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
About Flags in General
The idea of a cloth flag flown from a staff or rope probably originated among the ancient Chinese and Indians.
By definition, a flag is a piece of light cloth, usually rectangular used as an emblem or as a signaling device. The size, colour, and design of flags vary widely.
The free-flying body of the flag is known as the "fly", and the edge by which it is attached to its staff or rope is called the "hoist".