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Flag of Scotland

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The flag of Scotland (Template:Langx;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Langx, also known as St Andrew's Cross or the Saltire)<ref>Template:Cite web Template:Cite web</ref> is the national flag of Scotland, which consists of a white saltire defacing a blue field. The Saltire, rather than the Royal Standard of Scotland, is the correct flag for all private individuals and corporate bodies to fly.<ref name='lyon'>Template:Cite web</ref> It is also, where possible, flown from Scottish Government buildings every day from 8:00 am until sunset, with certain exceptions.<ref name='Govt'>Template:Cite web</ref>

Use of the flag is first recorded with the illustration of a heraldic flag in Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount's Register of Scottish Arms, Template:Circa.<ref name='SCRAN'>Template:Cite web</ref> It is possible that this is based on a precedent of the late 15th century, the use of a white saltire in the canton of a blue flag reputedly made by Queen Margaret, wife of James III (1451–1488).<ref>Template:Cite book www.flaginstitute.org Template:Webarchive</ref>

Design

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File:Flag of Scotland (traditional).svg
Template:FIAV Saltire with sky blue field
File:Flag of Scotland (navy blue).svg
Template:FIAV Saltire with navy blue field

The heraldic term for an X-shaped cross is a 'saltire', from the old French word Template:Lang or Template:Lang (itself derived from the Latin Template:Lang), a word for both a type of stile constructed from two cross pieces and a type of cross-shaped stirrup-cord.<ref>Oxford English Dictionary, Second edition, 1989</ref> In heraldic language, the Scottish flag may be blazoned azure, a saltire argent. The tincture of the Saltire can appear as either silver (argent) or white. However, the term azure does not refer to a particular shade of blue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Throughout the history of fabric production natural dyes have been used to apply a form of colour,<ref>Template:Cite book Internet Archive Template:Webarchive</ref> with dyes from plants, including indigo and woad, having dozens of compounds whose proportions may vary according to soil type and climate; therefore giving rise to variations in shade.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the case of the Saltire, variations in shades of blue have resulted in the background of the flag ranging from sky blue to navy blue. When incorporated as part of the Union Flag during the 17th century, the dark blue applied to Union Flags destined for maritime use was possibly selected on the basis of the durability of darker dyes,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with this dark blue shade eventually becoming standard on Union Flags both at sea and on land. Some flag manufacturers selected the same navy blue colour trend of the Union Flag for the Saltire itself, leading to a variety of shades of blue being depicted on the flag of Scotland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

These variations in shade eventually led to calls to standardise the colour of Scotland's national flag,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in 2003 a committee of the Scottish Parliament met to examine a petition that the Scottish Executive adopt the Pantone 300 colour as a standard (this blue is of a lighter shade than the Pantone 280 of the Union Flag). Having taken advice from a number of sources, including the office of the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the committee recommended that the optimum shade of blue for the Saltire be Pantone 300.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Recent versions of the Saltire have therefore largely converged on this official recommendation (Pantone 300 is #005EB8 as a web colour).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="BBCAzureThing">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="PE512">Template:Cite web</ref>

Scheme Blue White
Pantone 300 C White
Web colour #005EB8 #FFFFFF
RGB 0, 94, 184 255, 255, 255
CMYK 72-35-0-28 0-0-0-0

The flag proportions are not fixed but 3:5 is most commonly used, as with other flags of the countries of the United Kingdom (flag manufacturers themselves may adopt alternative ratios, including 1:2 or 2:3).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lord Lyon King of Arms states that 4:5 is suitable.<ref name="lyon" /> The ratio of the width of the bars of the saltire in relation to the width of the field is specified in heraldry in relation to shield width rather than flag width. However, this ratio, though not rigid, is specified as one-third to one-fifth of the width of the field.<ref>Template:Cite book Google Books Template:Webarchive</ref>

History

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File:Model of the 'Great Michael'.jpg
Model of the Great Michael

According to legend, the use of the Saltire as the flag of Scotland originated on the eve of the Battle of Athelstaneford in 832. The 1320 Declaration of Arbroath cites Scotland's conversion to Christianity by St. Andrew, "the first to be an Apostle". Depiction of the saint being crucified on a decussate cross was seen on seals in Scotland from 1180 onwards and was used on a seal of the Guardians of Scotland, dated 1286.<ref name='NAS'>Template:Cite webTemplate:Unreliable source?</ref> Bishop William de Lamberton (r. 1297–1328) also used the crucified figure of the saint in his seal.<ref>Henry Laing, Descriptive Catalogue of Impressions from Ancient Scottish Seals (1850), no. 865</ref>

File:Unicorn and Thistle, heraldic panel of King James V at the gatehouse of Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh.jpg
Arms of King James V (r. 1513–1542)<ref>A unicorn, holding the saltire (over the centre of which is a crown) supporting an escutcheon bearing a lion rampant, to either side and below are thistles, at the bottom in painted gold raised letters the inscription I R 5. Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref.: EDIN0720)</ref>

The saltire (decussate cross, diagonal cross) was used as a field sign in the medieval period without any connection to Saint Andrew. The connection between the field sign and the legendary mode of crucifixion of the saint may originate in Scotland, in the late 14th century. The Parliament of Scotland decreed in 1385 that every Scottish and French soldier (fighting against the English under Richard II) "shall have a sign before and behind, namely a white St. Andrew's Cross".<ref>The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al. (eds.), St Andrews (2007–2019), 1385/6/4 "ordinance made in council concerning the French army": Item, que tout homme, Francois et Escot, ait un signe devant et derrere cest assavoir une croiz blanche Saint Andrieu et se son jacque soit blanc ou sa cote blanche il portera la dicte croiz blanche en une piece de drap noir ronde ou quarree.</ref>

James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas at the Battle of Otterburn (1388) reportedly used a pennon with a saltire at the hoist. Similarly, white saltire was shown in the canton of the "Blue Blanket of the Trades of Edinburgh", reputedly made by Queen Margaret, wife of James III (1451–1488).<ref name='Bartram'>Template:Cite conference</ref> This is the flag of the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh, and the focal point of the Riding of the Marches ceremony held in the city each year.

Use of the white "Sanct Androis cors" on blue as a naval flag is recorded for 1507, for the carrack Great Michael.<ref name="Treas">Balfour Paul, Sir James (1902). Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland. Vol. iv. A.D. 1507–1513. H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh. p. 477. Template:Cite web</ref> As a heraldic flag, the white saltire on a blue field is first shown in 1542, in the armorial of David Lyndsay. Here, the royal arms are supported by two unicorns, each holding the saltire banner.<ref name="SCRAN" />

Protocol

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Use by the Scottish Government

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File:Scottish Government Logo.svg
Scottish Government logo

The Scottish Government has ruled that the Saltire should, where possible, fly on all its buildings every day from 8am until sunset.<ref name="Govt" /> An exception is made for United Kingdom "national days", when on buildings where only one flagpole is present the Saltire shall be lowered and replaced with the Union Flag.<ref name='ukflagdates'>Template:Cite web</ref> Such flag days are standard throughout the United Kingdom, with the exception of Merchant Navy Day (3 September) which is a specific flag day in Scotland during which the Red Ensign of the Merchant Navy may be flown on land in place of either the Saltire or Union Flag.<ref name="Govt" />

A further Scottish distinction from the UK flag days is that on Saint Andrew's Day (30 November) the Union Flag will only be flown where a building has more than one flagpole; the Saltire will not be lowered to make way for the Union Flag where a single flagpole is present.<ref name="Govt" /> If there are two or more flagpoles present, the Saltire may be flown in addition to the Union Flag but not in a superior position.<ref name='ukflagdates'/> This distinction arose after Members of the Scottish Parliament complained that Scotland was the only country in the world where the potential existed for the citizens of a country to be unable to fly their national flag on their country's national day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In recent years, embassies of the United Kingdom have also flown the Saltire to mark St Andrew's Day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Many bodies of the Scottish Government use the flag as a design basis for their logo. For example, Safer Scotland's emblem depicts a lighthouse shining beams in a saltire shape onto a blue sky.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other Scottish bodies, both private and public, have also used the saltire in similar ways.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Use by military institutions on land

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File:Challenger Desert Storm 1.jpg
Challenger 1 tank of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards flying a Saltire from the whip antenna
File:050625-Kiel-x82-600.jpg
Royal Navy Sea King Mk5 of HMS Gannet

The seven British Army Infantry battalions of the Scottish Division, plus the Scots Guards and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards regiments, use the Saltire in a variety of forms. Combat and transport vehicles of these Army units may be adorned with a small, (130x80mm approx.), representation of the Saltire; such decals being displayed on the front and/or rear of the vehicle (on tanks these may also be displayed on the vehicle turret).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Iraq, during both Operation Granby and the subsequent Operation Telic, the Saltire was seen to be flown from the communications whip antenna of vehicles belonging to these units.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Funerals, conducted with full military honours, of casualties of these operations in Iraq, plus those killed in operations in Afghanistan,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> have also been seen to include the Saltire being draped over the coffin of the deceased on such occasions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the battle for "hearts and minds" in Iraq, the Saltire was again used by the British Army as a means of distinguishing troops belonging to Scottish regiments from other coalition forces, in the hope of fostering better relations with the civilian population in the area south west of Baghdad. Leaflets were distributed to Iraqi civilians, by members of the Black Watch, depicting troops and vehicles set against a backdrop of the Saltire.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Immediately prior to, and following, the merger in March 2006 of Scotland's historic infantry regiments to form a single Royal Regiment of Scotland, a multi-million-pound advertising campaign was launched in Scotland in an attempt to attract recruits to join the reorganised and simultaneously rebranded "Scottish Infantry". The recruitment campaign employed the Saltire in the form of a logo; the words "Scottish Infantry. Forward As One." being placed next to a stylised image of the Saltire. For the duration of the campaign, this logo was used in conjunction with the traditional Army recruiting logo; the words "Army. Be The Best." being placed beneath a stylised representation of the Union Flag.Template:Citation needed Despite this multi-media campaign having had mixed results in terms of overall success,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the Saltire continues to appear on a variety of Army recruiting media used in Scotland.

Other uses of the Saltire by the Army include the cap badge design of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, which consists of a (silver) Saltire, surmounted by a (gilt) lion rampant and ensigned with a representation of the Crown of Scotland (this same design, save for the Crown, is used on both the Regimental flag and tactical recognition flash of the Royal Regiment of Scotland).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The badge of the No. 679 (The Duke of Connaught's) Squadron Army Air Corps bears a Saltire between two wreaths ensigned 'Scottish Horse', an honour they received in 1971 which originated through their links with the Royal Artillery.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Officer Training Corps units attached to universities in Edinburgh and Glasgow, plus the Tayforth University OTC, all feature the Saltire in their cap badge designs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy adorned three of their aircraft with the Saltire. Specifically, the Westland Sea King Mk5 aircraft of HMS Gannet, operating in the Search and Rescue (SAR) role from Royal Naval Air Station Prestwick, Ayrshire, displayed a Saltire decal on the nose of each aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Although not represented in the form of a flag, the No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force uses the Saltire surmounted by a lion rampant as the device shown on the squadron crest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The station crest of the former RAF Leuchars, Fife, also showed the Saltire, in this case surmounted by a sword. The crest of the former RAF East Fortune, East Lothian, also showed a sword surmounting the Saltire, however, unlike Leuchars, this sword was shown inverted<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the station crest of the former RAF Turnhouse, Edinburgh, showed a Saltire surmounted by an eagle's head.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron crest features a Saltire surmounted by an open book; the book itself being supported by red lions rampant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

General use

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In Scotland, the Saltire can be flown at any time by any individual, company, local authority, hospital or school without obtaining express consent.<ref name="lyon" /><ref name="Govt"/> Many local authorities in Scotland fly the Saltire from Council Buildings. However, in 2007 Angus Council approved a proposal to replace the Saltire on Council Buildings with a new Angus flag, based on the council's coat of arms. This move led to public outcry across Scotland with more than 7,000 people signing a petition opposing the council's move, leading to a compromise whereby the Angus flag would not replace but be flown alongside the Saltire on council buildings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In the United Kingdom, owners of vehicles registered in Great Britain have the option of displaying the Saltire on the vehicle registration plate, in conjunction with the letters "SCO" or alternatively the word "Scotland".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1999, the Royal Mail issued a series of pictorial stamps for Scotland, with the '2nd' value stamp depicting the Flag of Scotland.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In Northern Ireland, sections of the Protestant community routinely employ the Saltire as a means of demonstrating and celebrating their Ulster-Scots heritage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Scottish Red Ensign.svg
Template:FIAV Royal Scots Navy red ensign

Use of the Saltire at sea as a Jack or courtesy flag has been observed, including as a Jack on the Scottish Government's Marine Patrol Vessel (MPV) Jura.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne routinely flies the Saltire as a Jack on vessels which have a bow staff, including when such vessels are underway.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This practice has also been observed on the Paddle Steamer Waverley when operating in and around the Firth of Clyde.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The practice of maritime vessels adopting the Saltire, for use as a jack or courtesy flag, may lead to possible confusion in that the Saltire closely resembles the maritime signal flag M, "MIKE", which is used to indicate "My vessel is stopped; making no way."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For the benefit of Scottish seafarers wishing to display a Scottish flag other than the Saltire, thereby avoiding confusion and a possible fine, a campaign was launched in November 2007 seeking official recognition for the historic Scottish Red Ensign.Template:Citation needed Despite having last been used officially by the pre-Union Royal Scots Navy and merchant marine fleets in the 18th century,<ref>Template:Cite book Google Books Template:Webarchive</ref> the flag continues to be produced by flag manufacturers<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and its unofficial use by private citizens on water has been observed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Incorporation into the Union Flag

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Template:Main Template:See also

The Saltire is one of the key components of the Union Flag<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which, since its creation in 1606, has appeared in various forms<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> following the Flag of Scotland and Flag of England first being merged to mark the Union of the Crowns,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> an event occurred in 1603 when James VI, King of Scots, acceded to the thrones of both England and Ireland upon the death of Elizabeth I of England. The proclamation by King James, made on 12 April 1606, which led to the creation of the Union Flag states:

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However, in objecting strongly to the form and pattern of Union Flag designed by the College of Arms and approved by King James, whereby the cross of Saint George surmounted that of Saint Andrew, regarded in Scotland as a slight upon the Scottish nation, a great number of shipmasters and ship-owners in Scotland took up the matter with John Erskine, 19th Earl of Mar, and encouraged him to send a letter of complaint, dated 7 August 1606, to James VI, via the Privy Council of Scotland, stating:

Template:Blockquote

White saltire clearly visible over white-bordered red cross on blue background.
Flag depicted in The Present State of the Universe (1704)

Despite the drawings described in this letter as showing drafts of the two new patterns, together with any royal response to the complaint which may have accompanied them, having been lost, (possibly in the 1834 Burning of Parliament), other evidence exists, at least on paper, of a Scottish variant whereby the Scottish cross appears uppermost. Whilst, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, this design is considered by most vexillologists to have been unofficial, there is reason to believe that such flags were employed during the 17th century for use on Scottish vessels at sea.<ref>Template:Cite book Google books: "Unofficial 1606 Scottish Union Flag" Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Smith 1973">Template:Cite book</ref> This flag's design is also described in the 1704 edition of The Present State of the Universe by John Beaumont, Junior, which contains as an appendix The Ensigns, Colours or Flags of the Ships at Sea: Belonging to The several Princes and States in the World.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Engraving of a castle on top of a steep hill, above the title "The North East View of Edinburgh Castle". On the castle flies a large Union Flag with Scottish saltire part of flag most visible.
Slezer's Edinburgh Castle Template:Circa with Scottish Union Flag above the Royal apartments<ref>National Library of Scotland Template:Webarchive, Slezer's Scotland. Accessed 4 July 2010</ref>

On land, evidence suggesting use of this flag appears in the depiction of Edinburgh Castle by John Slezer, in his series of engravings entitled Theatrum Scotiae, Template:Circa. Appearing in later editions of Theatrum Scotiae, the North East View of Edinburgh Castle engraving depicts the Scotch (to use the appropriate adjective of that period) version of the Union Flag flying from the Castle Clock Tower.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

A reduced view of this engraving, with the flag similarly detailed, also appears on the Plan of Edenburgh, Exactly Done.<ref name='Slezer - Edenburgh, Exactly Done'>Template:Cite web</ref> However, on the engraving entitled North Prospect of the City of Edenburgh the detail of the flag, when compared to the aforementioned engravings, appears indistinct and lacks any element resembling a saltire.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The reduced version of the North Prospect ..., as shown on the Plan of Edenburgh, Exactly Done, does however display the undivided arm of a saltire and is thereby suggestive of the Scottish variant.<ref name="Slezer - Edenburgh, Exactly Done"/>

File:Union Jack 1606 Scotland.svg
Template:FIAV "Scots union flag as said to be used by the Scots."<ref name="de Burton"/>

On 17 April 1707, just two weeks prior to the Acts of Union coming into effect, Sir Henry St George, Garter King of Arms, presented several designs to Queen Anne and her Privy Council for consideration as the flag of the soon to be unified Kingdom of Great Britain. At the request of the Scots representatives, the designs for consideration included that version of Union Flag showing the Cross of Saint Andrew uppermost; identified as being the "Scots union flagg as said to be used by the Scots".<ref name='de Burton'>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore Partial view at Encyclopedia.com Template:Webarchive</ref> However, Queen Anne and her Privy Council approved Sir Henry's original effort (pattern "one") showing the Cross of Saint George uppermost.<ref name="de Burton"/>

From 1801, in order to symbolise the union of the Kingdom of Great Britain with the Kingdom of Ireland a new design, which included the St Patrick's Cross, was adopted for the flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A manuscript compiled from 1785 by William Fox, and in possession of the Flag Research Center, includes a full plate showing "the scoth Template:Sic union" flag with the addition of the cross of St. Patrick. This could imply that there was still some insistence on a Scottish variant after 1801.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Despite its unofficial and historic status the Scottish Union Flag continues to be produced by flag manufacturers,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and its unofficial use by private citizens on land has been observed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2006 historian David R. Ross called for Scotland to once again adopt this design in order to "reflect separate national identities across the UK".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the 1801 design of the Union Flag remains the official flag of the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Template:See also The flag of the Church of Scotland is the flag of Scotland defaced with the burning bush.

Several flags outside of the United Kingdom are based on the Scottish saltire. In Canada, an inverse representation of the flag (i.e. a blue saltire on a white field), combined with the shield from the royal arms of the Kingdom of Scotland, forms the modern flag of the province of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia (Latin for "New Scotland") was the first colonial venture of the Kingdom of Scotland in the Americas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By contrast, the saltire logo of St. Andrew's First Aid is red on white rather than white on blue, in alteration of the Red Cross. Also, the Colombian department of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina uses a pale-blue version because the name of principal island (San Andrés, Saint Andrew), though also by the first settlers from Scottish origin.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Dutch municipality of Sint-Oedenrode, named after the Scottish princess Saint Oda, uses a version of the flag of Scotland, defaced with a gold castle having on both sides a battlement.<ref>Template:Cite web Template:Dead link</ref>

Royal Standard of Scotland

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Template:Main Template:See also

File:Lionrampant.svg
Royal Standard of Scotland

The Royal Standard of Scotland, also known as the Banner of the King of Scots<ref>Template:Cite book Google Books Template:Webarchive</ref> or more commonly the Lion Rampant of Scotland,<ref>Template:Cite book Google Books Template:Webarchive</ref> is the Scottish Royal Banner of Arms.<ref name="lyon2" /> Used historically by the King of Scots, the Royal Standard of Scotland differs from Scotland's national flag, the Saltire, in that its correct use is restricted by an Act of the Parliament of Scotland to only a few Great Officers of State who officially represent The Sovereign in Scotland.<ref name="lyon2">Template:Cite web pointing at the Lyon King of Arms Act 1672, c. 47 and the Lyon King of Arms Act 1867, 30 & 31 Vict. cap. 17</ref> However, a 1934 Royal Warrant for George V's silver jubilee which authorised waving of hand-held versions continues to be relied upon by fans at sports events and other public occasions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is also used in an official capacity at Royal residences in Scotland when the Sovereign is not present.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In Unicode

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File:Twemoji12 1f3f4-e0067-e0062-e0073-e0063-e0074-e007f.svg
Flag of Scotland in the Twemoji typeface, as it appears on X

In 2017, the Unicode Consortium approved emoji support for the flag of Scotland, alongside the flags of England and Wales, in Unicode version 10.0 and Emoji version 5.0.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> This was following a proposal from Jeremy Burge of Emojipedia and Owen Williams of BBC Wales in March 2016,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

The flag is implemented using the regional indicator symbol sequence Template:Mono, so 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 requires a total of 7 code points: Template:Unichar Template:Unichar Template:Unichar Template:Unichar Template:Unichar Template:Unichar Template:Unichar.<ref>"Flag:Scotland" Emojipedia</ref> Prior to this update, The Daily Telegraph reported that users had "been able to send emojis of the Union Flag, but not of the individual nations".<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

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See also

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References

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