text: The U.S. state of Alabama 's flag is officially `` a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a field of white '' , however the reference is used only to describe the shape without using the vexillological term saltire .
simplified: The U.S. state of Alabama 's flag is officially `` a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a field of white , '' but the reference is used only to describe the shape without using the vexillological term saltire as that flag 's origins are from either or both of the Confederate Battle Flag or the Cross of Burgundy Flag , both of which have saltires and are associated with the history of that state .