User:Micropot/National Symbols of Scotland

The national symbols of Scotland are flags, icons or cultural expressions that are emblematic, representative or otherwise characteristic of Scotland or Scottish culture. As a rule, these national symbols are cultural icons that have emerged out of Scottish folklore and tradition, meaning few have any official status. However, most if not all maintain recognition at a national or international level, and some, such as the Royal Arms of Scotland, have been codified in heraldry, and are established, official and recognised symbols of Scotland.

Flags

Main article: List of Scottish flags

	The national flag of Scotland, the Saltire or St. Andrew's Cross, dates (at least in legend) from the 9th century, and is thus the oldest national flag still in use. The Saltire now also forms part of the design of the Union Flag.
	The Royal Standard of Scotland, a banner showing the Royal Arms of Scotland, is also frequently to be seen, particularly at sporting events involving a Scottish team. Often called the Lion Rampant (after its chief heraldic device), it is technically the property of the monarch and its use by anybody else is illegal, although this is almost universally ignored, and never enforced.

Heraldry

Main article: Scottish heraldry

	The Royal Arms of Scotland is a coat of arms symbolising Scotland and the Scottish monarchs. The blazon, or technical description, is "Or, a lion rampant Gules armed and langued Azure within a double tressure flory counter-flory of the second", meaning a red lion with blue tongue and claws on a yellow field and surrounded by a red double royal tressure flory counter-flory device Although officially subsumed into the heraldry of the British Royal Family in 1707, the historic Royal Arms featuring the lion rampant continues to represent Scotland on several coins of the pound sterling, forms the basis of several emblems of Scottish national sports teams (such as the Scotland national football team),and endures as one of the most recognisable national symbols of Scotland
	The thistle, the floral emblem of Scotland, also features in Scottish & British heraldry through symbols, logos, coat of arms and on British currency.
	The Honours of Scotland, the Scottish Crown Jewels, are displayed in the Crown Room of Edinburgh Castle, from where they are removed only for State Occasions. Stylised versions of the Crown of Scotland appear upon the badges of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, those of the Scottish Police Forces, the Scottish Ambulance Service and upon Royal Mail premises, vehicles and pillar/wall boxes in Scotland.
	The Lord Lyon King of Arms is a Great Officer of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest heraldic court in the world that is still in daily operation.

Anthem

Main article: National Anthem of Scotland

Scotland has no official national anthem. There are several candidates, however:

• Flower of Scotland is popularly held to be the National Anthem, and is played at events such as football and rugby matches involving the Scotland national teams, and as of 2010 is used for the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games.
• Scotland the Brave
• Highland Cathedral
• Scots Wha Hae
• A Man's A Man for A' That.

Cultural

Main article: Culture of Scotland

	Burns' Night is an annual celebration of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns.
	Declaration of Arbroath (1320) Scotland Declaration of Independence. Tartan Day, a recent innovation from Canada, is a celebration of all things Scottish on the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath.
	Stone of Scone, Block of red sandstone used for the coronation of Scottish kings. Usually seen as a symbol of unity and Scottish independence.
	St Andrew's Day, the 30 November, is the national day with the St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007, designating the day to be an official bank holiday.
	Tartan is a specific woven textile pattern that often signifies a particular Scottish clan, as featured in a kilt.

Flora and fauna

Main articles: Fauna of Scotland and Flora of Scotland

	The unicorn is also used as a heraldic symbol of Scotland. The Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland, used prior to 1603 by the Kings of Scotland, incorporated a lion rampant shield supported by two unicorns. On the Union of the Crowns, the Arms were quartered with those of England and Ireland, and one unicorn was replaced by a lion (the supporters of England). It is frequently found as an ornament on mercat crosses.
	The thistle, the floral emblem of Scotland.
	Heather is also considered to be a symbol of Scotland.
	The Scots Pine is the national tree of Scotland.

Food and drink

Main article: Scottish cuisine

	Fish and chips is a widely consumed part of Scottish and British cuisine, and is symbolic of the United Kingdom.
	Haggis is one of Scotland's most recognisable and traditional foods used annually during Burns' night.
	Irn Bru is Scotland's home grown soft drink.
	Shortbread (bottom left) Shortbread is a classic Scottish dessert that consists of flour, sugar, and butter.
	Whisky is the quintessential drink of Scotland.

People

See also: Scottish folklore

	Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.
	Robert the Bruce a national hero and King of Scotland after the Scottish Wars of Independence.
	Robert Burns is Scotland's national poet.
	William Wallace a national hero and a leader in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

References

Category:National symbols of Scotland