Monday, October 27, 2008

UK - Scotland (GB-50947)

I received this card as an official and it was a really wonderful surprise, because I love it, when people try to fit my wishlist, even though they don't know me at all.
This card shows the flag of Scotland and the Royal Standard of Scotland (to be honest, I knew only the flag before) :)

The Flag of Scotland is a white saltire, a crux decussate (X-shaped cross) representing the cross of the Christian martyr Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, on a blue field. It is named the Saltire or the Saint Andrew's Cross. In heraldic language, it may be blazoned Azure, a saltire argent.
According to legend, in 832 A.D. King Óengus (II) (or King Angus) led the Picts and Scots in battle against the Angles under a king named Athelstan near modern-day Athelstaneford in East Lothian. King Angus and his men were surrounded and he prayed for deliverance. During the night Saint Andrew, who was martyred on a saltire cross, appeared to Angus and assured him of victory. On the following morning a white saltire against the background of a blue sky appeared to both sides. The Picts and Scots wer
e heartened by this, but the Angles lost confidence and were defeated. This saltire design has been the Scottish flag ever since.

The Royal Standard of Scotland
, also known as the Royal Standard of the King of Scots or more commonly the Lion Rampant, is the Scottish Royal banner, and its correct use is restricted to only a few Great Officers who officially represent The Sovereign. The banner of the Royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland, it was used historically by the King of Scots until the Union of the Crowns in 1603.



GB-50947

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