The Saint Andrews cross is the Scottish flag. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. Long ago Saint Andrew appeared in a vision of this cross to the Pictish king (Angus), who was about to fight a major battle against the Saxon king (Athelstan), and promised the Picts victory.

Saint Andrew called in the tradition the First-called About the middle of the Xth century, Andrew became the patron saint of Scotland. He was foisted upon Scotland as its patron when the old Celtic and Culdee centres were superseded by the new bishopric of St. Andrew Saint Andrewwas one of the 12 men chosen by Christ to spread his teaching. Saint Andrew was one of the 12 men chosen by Christ to spread his teaching. Christian Apostle, the younger brother of Saint Peter, preached the Gospel in Asia and along the shores of the Black Sea. Several legends state that the relics of Andrew were brought under supernatural guidance from Constantinople to the place where the modern town of Saint Andrews stands today

The image of Saint Andrew thereafter came to symbolise Scotland He is believed to have crucifixion on a diagonal X-shaped cross (St. Andrews Cross) Tradition has it that St Andrews remains were transferred to Scotland, probably in 8th century, and since that time St Andrew has been the patron saint of that country. St Andrew is an old man with long white hair and beard, holding the Gospel Book, sometimes leaning on a saltire, the Scottish heraldic term for such a cross.

Scotland was an independent Kingdom, often at war with England (from XI-th to XVI-th century), until 1603 when King James VI of Scotland (the son of Mary I) became also King James I of England ( ). In 1707 the Act of Union was passed under which Scotland and England became a united part, but the Scots kept their own legal system, religion and administrative systems and still keep them now. In 1651 Scotland was united with England and Wales.

After James I succeeded to the throne, the Cross of St. George (English flag) was combined with the cross of St Andrew in The term Union Jack may come from the 'jack-et' of the English or Scottish soldiers; or from the name of James I who originated the first union in 1603.

King James I ordered that the Union Flag should be flown on the main mast of all British ships, except on ships of war. Here the flag was flown at the front of the bowsprit. The end of the bowsprit was called the Jake Star and so we get the name of Union Jack. A "jack", by the way, is an old nord for the sailor. On 28th July, 1707, during the reign of Queen Anne, this flag was by royal proclamation made the National flag of Great Britain, for use ashore and afloat.