What is Flag of Scotland?
{{Infobox flag|Name=Flag of Scotland|Image= Flag of Scotland.svg|Proportion=3:5|Adoption=1542}} The '''flag of Scotland''' is a white X-shaped cross (a ), which represents the cross of the [[patron saint]] of [[Scotland]], [[Saint Andrew]] on a '''Cross''' or the '''Saltire'''. == History == [[File:Martyrdom of andrew.jpg|thumb|[[Saint Andrew]]]] According to [[legend]], in 832 A.D. King Óengus (II) (or King Angus) led the Picts and Scots in battle against the [[Angles]] 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 [[martyr]]ed 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 were heartened by this, but the Angles lost confidence and were defeated. According to the legend, this saltire design has been the Scottish flag ever since. Material evidence of the saltire's use dates from many [[centuries]] later. In 1385 the [[Parliament of Scotland]] decreed that Scottish soldiers should wear a saltire as a distinguishing mark. The earliest surviving Scottish flag consisting solely of the saltire dates from 1503: a white cross on a red background. By 1540 the legend of King Angus had been altered to include the vision of the cross against a blue sky. Thereafter, this saltire design in its present form became the [[national flag]] of Scotland. == Flying the flag == === Scottish Parliament === [[File:Flags outside Parliament.jpg|thumb|The flag flies outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.]] There are five flagpoles outside the [[Scottish Parliament Building]] in [[Edinburgh]]. The flag of Scotland is flown every day, alongside the [[Union Flag]] and the [[flag of Europe]]. The fourth flagpole is used for special occasions such as [[Commonwealth Day]] and [[United Nations Day]]. The fifth pole is used for the [[Royal Standard of Scotland]]. === Edi