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 from 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

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, 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, coats 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. They appear on the royal crest, as well as on the badges of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service and upon Royal Mail premises, vehicles and pillar/wall boxes in Scotland.

Anthems

Burns' Night is an annual celebration of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns.
Declaration of Arbroath 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, 30 November, is the national day with the St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday 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 on a kilt.

Flora and fauna

The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. The Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland, used prior to 1603 by the Kings of Scotland was supported by two unicorns and the current royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom is supported by a unicorn for Scotland along with a lion for England. The unicorn is frequently found as an ornament on mercat crosses. A National Unicorn Museum is being set up in Forres, Moray.
The thistle, the floral emblem of Scotland.
Heather is also considered to be a symbol of Scotland. Wearing a sprig of heather is believed to bring good luck.
The Scots Pine is the national tree of Scotland.

Food and drink

Haggis is one of Scotland's most recognisable and traditional foods associated annually with Burns' night.
Irn-Bru is Scotland's most popular home-grown soft drink.
Shortbread Shortbread is a classic Scottish dessert that consists of flour, sugar, and butter.
Whisky is the quintessential drink of Scotland.

People

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 recognised as Scotland's national poet.
William Wallace, a leader in the Scottish Wars of Independence who became a national hero.

See also the 16 people in the Hall of Heroes at the Wallace Monument in Stirling.
For a nineteenth century list of over 600 people see the Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen.