Saltire Symbol ☓

The Saltire, a distinctive cross symbolizing the national identity of Scotland, holds cultural significance and historical meaning. Recognized for its bold design, this article explores the origins, symbolism, and enduring importance of the Saltire in Scottish heritage.

1. Origin of the Saltire:

The Saltire, also known as St. Andrew's Cross, has its roots in the legend of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. According to tradition, the Saltire appeared in the sky to King Angus in the 9th century, inspiring a Scottish victory in battle.

2. Symbolism of the Saltire:

The Saltire consists of a white diagonal cross on a blue field. The white cross is said to represent the cross on which St. Andrew was crucified, while the blue background symbolizes the sky. This combination of colors and design reflects the historical and religious elements associated with Scotland's identity.

3. National Flag of Scotland:

The Saltire serves as the national flag of Scotland and is proudly displayed on government buildings, during national events, and at Scottish celebrations worldwide. Its distinctiveness makes it easily recognizable, and it stands as a symbol of Scottish pride and unity.

4. Use in Heraldry:

The Saltire has found its way into various symbols and heraldic emblems associated with Scotland. It is a prominent feature in the coats of arms of both individuals and institutions, further emphasizing its enduring role in Scottish heraldry.

5. Cultural Celebrations:

The Saltire takes center stage during cultural celebrations such as St. Andrew's Day on November 30th. Festivities include parades, events, and the prominent display of the Saltire as a tribute to Scotland's patron saint and its rich heritage.

The Saltire, with its deep historical roots and symbolic design, stands as a cross of cultural significance for the people of Scotland. Beyond being a national flag, the Saltire embodies the spirit of a nation, reflecting its traditions, victories, and enduring pride. As a symbol that has withstood the test of time, the Saltire continues to unite Scots and represent their rich cultural heritage.

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Saltire Symbol Information

Symbol Name Saltire
Unicode Version 1.1 (June 1993)
Unicode U+2613
CSS Code \2613
Hex Code ☓
HTML Code ☓

Saltire Symbol Encoding

UTF-8 0xE2 0x98 0x93
UTF-16 0x2613
UTF-32 0x00002613


Saltire symbol's PNG and SVG files


How to add saltire symbol via keyboard on different Operating systems

You can type the saltire on most modern devices with the help of following methods:

How to type saltire symbol on Microsoft Word

You can type the saltire on microsoft Microsoft Word using steps mentioned below:

  • Place your cursor in the text area where you need to insert the symbol and type 2 6 1 3
  • Without moving the cursor press keys Alt + x together
  • The original 2 6 1 3 is now transformed into ☓

How to type saltire symbol on Microsoft Windows

You can type the saltire on Microsoft windows using following steps:

  • Hold Alt and press to type saltire on your windows machine.

How to type saltire symbol on Mac OS

You can type the saltire on Mac OS using following steps:

  • Place your cursor in the text area where you need to insert the symbol
  • Press Ctrl + ⌘ Command + ⎵ Space to bring up the Character Viewer. Alternatively, choose Edit ⇒ Emoji & Symbols
  • Type “Saltire” in the search field at the top and press Enter
  • The symbol should appear. Click on it to insert it into your text
  • How to type saltire symbol on Mac OS
    How to type saltire symbol on Mac OS

How to type saltire symbol on Linux

You can type the saltire on Linux using following steps:

  • Place your cursor in the text area where you need to insert the symbol
  • Hold ⇧ Shift + Ctrl and press the letter + U
  • Press keys 2 6 1 3 consecutively
  • And then press ↵ Enter , the desired symbol will be added to your document

How to type saltire symbol on IOS and Android

The easiest way to type the saltire on ios and android is to copy and paste it wherever you need it.


How to use saltire in CSS

Copy // css example
span {
content: "\2613";
}

How to type saltire in HTML

Copy // html example
<span>&#9747;</span>

Saltire symbol representation in programming languages

saltire's representation in different programming languages can be found in table below:

Language Representation
Rust \u{2613}
Ruby \u{2613}
Python \u2613
PHP \u{2613}
Perl "\x{2613}"
Java \u2613
Modern JavaScript - Since ES6 \u{2613}
JavaScript \u2613
Go \u2613
C# \u2613
C and C++ \u2613
Bash and Zsh - inside echo -e \u2613
RFC 5137 \u'2613'
No Result
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