Saltire

A diagonal cross in the form of an X.

Also known as: Saint Andrew's cross, St Andrew's cross, Diagonal cross

CulturalReligiousHistorical & archaeologicalStandard profile

This symbol carries culturally, religiously or politically sensitive meanings depending on context. See the meanings below for a full, sourced breakdown rather than a single summary judgement.

Meanings

The saltire is a diagonal cross. It is a heraldic charge — most familiar as the flag of Scotland — and in Christian tradition is associated with Saint Andrew.

Historically documentedVerified fact
Is a heraldic charge in the form of a diagonal cross, appearing on flags including that of Scotland.
Contexts: Religion
Culturally establishedTraditionreligious sensitivity
Is associated in Christian tradition with Saint Andrew, from the tradition that he was crucified on a diagonal cross.
The association is traditional; the account of the manner of his death is not independently documented.
Contexts: Religion
Common modern usageCommon usage
Is used in signage and marking to indicate a crossing or a prohibition, a function unrelated to its heraldic or religious senses.
Contexts: Religion

Visual description

Two diagonal bars crossing at the centre, forming an X whose arms reach the corners.

Symmetry: bilateral
Orientation: upright

Visually similar to: Multiplication sign
Both are diagonal crosses; the multiplication sign is a mathematical operator.

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Cultural meaningLow confidence: Low confidence because the cultural meaning is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is defined by a current official standard.

Sources

Saltire
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-30
Tertiary reference. Used for widely-agreed identity and origin summary, not for contested detail or exact dates.
Unicode Code Chart: Miscellaneous Symbols (U+2600–U+26FF)
The Unicode Consortium · retrieved 2026-07-30
Authoritative for the character's code point, name and block only. Unicode assigns identity; it does not define what a symbol means in use.

Last reviewed 2026-07-30

Part of

Cross symbols

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Meanings

The saltire is a diagonal cross. It is a heraldic charge — most familiar as the flag of Scotland — and in Christian tradition is associated with Saint Andrew.

Historically documentedVerified fact

Is a heraldic charge in the form of a diagonal cross, appearing on flags including that of Scotland.

Contexts: Religion

Culturally establishedTraditionreligious sensitivity

Is associated in Christian tradition with Saint Andrew, from the tradition that he was crucified on a diagonal cross.

The association is traditional; the account of the manner of his death is not independently documented.

Contexts: Religion

Common modern usageCommon usage

Is used in signage and marking to indicate a crossing or a prohibition, a function unrelated to its heraldic or religious senses.

Contexts: Religion

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Cultural meaningLow confidence: Low confidence because the cultural meaning is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is defined by a current official standard.

Sources

Saltire
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-30
Tertiary reference. Used for widely-agreed identity and origin summary, not for contested detail or exact dates.
Unicode Code Chart: Miscellaneous Symbols (U+2600–U+26FF)
The Unicode Consortium · retrieved 2026-07-30
Authoritative for the character's code point, name and block only. Unicode assigns identity; it does not define what a symbol means in use.

Last reviewed 2026-07-30

Meanings

Visual description

Related & commonly confused symbols

Meanings

Visual description

Related & commonly confused symbols