Symbols of Scotland

Although Scotland has been part of Great Britain for over three centuries, it still maintains its own cultural identity. This identity is expressed through various symbols that have been associated with Scotland for centuries.

Saltire – The Scottish Flag
The oldest of Scotland's symbols is probably the Scottish flag; the white St. Andrew's Cross (known as the Saltire) on a blue field, which became part of the Union Jack in the 17th century. St. Andrew, who was crucified on a diagonal cross, has been the patron saint of Scotland since the early Middle Ages. According to legend, the St. Andrew's Cross appeared in the sky in 832 during a battle between the Pictish King Óengus mac Fergusa and the Anglo-Saxon ruler Athelstan. This miraculous appearance supposedly brought victory to the Picts and gave Scotland one of its fundamental symbols.

Royal Banner with the Lion
Complementing the blue and white national flag is the flag of the Scottish kings, featuring a red lion on a yellow field (known as the Royal Banner), which is several centuries younger. The lion might have first appeared on a banner under King William I, known as William the Lion, who ruled from 1165 to 1214. The first clear mention of the heraldic lion dates back to 1222, during the reign of Alexander II, and his successor Alexander III added a decorative double border with lilies to the lion. The lion with lilies on a yellow field was used as the royal emblem of Scottish monarchs until 1603, after which it became part of King James VI's new coat of arms and later incorporated into the coat of arms of Great Britain. The earliest known royal banner, used by David I in 1138, depicted a dragon.

Thistle
The thistle is also a prominent symbol of Scotland, appearing on the official coat of arms of Scottish kings and being virtually omnipresent in Scotland, both symbolically and in nature. Although there is a striking legend about how the thistle became Scotland’s national flower, the true reason remains unknown. Allegedly, a Norseman pricked himself on a thistle in 1263, which alerted the Scots to a Norwegian ambush, leading to a decisive victory at the Battle of Largs. Despite the mystery surrounding its origin as a symbol, the thistle is the oldest documented national plant, having been used as a national symbol at least since the 15th century. It first appeared on silver coins of King James III in 1474, and later on coats of arms, embroideries, paintings, and architecture. The thistle is also a metaphor for the Scottish people, who are difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate. As a symbol of the Stuarts, the thistle is often seen alongside the red rose of the English Tudors, symbolizing the union of the crowns of Scotland and England under a single ruler.

Unicorn
Scotland even has a national animal, albeit a mythical one. Another symbol of Scotland and a traditional Scottish heraldic animal is the unicorn, symbolizing tranquility and harmony, as well as strength and freedom. It first appeared in the emblem of William I, the Lion, in the 12th century. The unicorn reappeared on coins during the reign of James III Stuart. The unicorn was meant to counterbalance the wild and aggressive English lion. From 1603 onward, both animals appeared in the emblem of James VI Stuart, who also became the English King James I. The emblem with both animals symbolizes the union of Scotland and England under one crown. The unicorn even has its own national day in Scotland, celebrated on April 9th.