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{{Short description|Heraldic and vexillogical symbol in the form of a diagonal cross}}
{{Redirect|X-cross|the film|X-Cross}}
{{Distinguish|Saltair (disambiguation){{!}}Saltair|Saltaire|Satire}}
[[File:Saint Andrew%27s cross.svg|thumb|right|A diagonal cross (decussate cross, saltire, St. Andrew's Cross)]]

A '''saltire''', also called '''Saint Andrew's Cross''' or the '''crux decussata''',<ref>{{cite web |title=Crux decussata |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crux%20decussata |website=Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-Webster, Inc. |access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> is a [[Heraldry|heraldic]] symbol in the form of a diagonal [[cross]]. The word comes from the [[Middle French]] {{lang|frm|sautoir}}, [[Medieval Latin]] {{lang|la|saltatoria}} ("[[stirrup]]").<ref>Heraldic use 13th century (attested 1235, [[Huon de Méry]], ''Tournoiemenz Antecrist'', v. 654). In 1352 also of a particular form of stirrup (Comput. Steph. de la Fontaine argent, du Cange s.v. [http://ducange.enc.sorbonne.fr/SALTATORIA "saltatoria"]). 15th-century use in the sense of a barrier of wooden pegs arranged crosswise, preventing the passage of livestock that can still be ''jumped'' by people. "[http://stella.atilf.fr/Dendien/scripts/tlfiv5/advanced.exe?8;s=2623742685; sautoire]" in [[Trésor de la langue française|TLFi]]; see also [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=saltire "saltire"] at [[Online Etymology Dictionary|etymonline.com]].</ref>

From its use as [[field sign]], the saltire came to be used in a number of flags, in the 16th century for [[Flag of Scotland|Scotland]] and [[Cross of Burgundy|Burgundy]], in the 18th century also as the ensign of the [[Ensign of the Russian Navy|Russian Navy]], and [[Saint Patrick's Saltire|for Ireland]]. Notable 19th-century usage includes some of the [[flags of the Confederate States of America]]. It is also used in the [[flag of Jamaica]] and on [[Seal (emblem)|seals]], and as a [[Charge (heraldry)|heraldic charge]] in [[Coat of arms|coats of arms]].

The term '''saltirewise''' or '''in saltire''' refers to heraldic charges arranged as a diagonal cross. The [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|shield]] may also be [[Division of the field|divided]] '''per saltire''', i.e. diagonally.

A [[Crossbuck|warning sign in the shape of a saltire]] is also used to indicate the point at which a railway line intersects a road at a [[level crossing]].

== Heraldry and vexillology ==
{{Further|Crosses in heraldry#Ordinary cross}}The saltire is important both in [[heraldry]], being found in many coats of arms, and in [[vexillology]], being found as the dominant feature of multiple flags.[[File:Ötingen ZW.png|thumb|upright|Coat of arms of the counts of [[Oettingen in Bayern|Ötingen (Oettingen)]]: Azure a bordure vair ancien gules and or, a saltire argent over all (attested from as early as 1180,<ref>Berhard Peter, [http://www.welt-der-wappen.de/Heraldik/oettingen.htm Die Wappen des Hauses Oettingen] (2010&ndash;2016).</ref> here in the depiction in the [[Zürich armorial]], {{Circa|1340}}).]]

The saltire is one of the so-called [[ordinary (heraldry)|ordinaries]], geometric [[Charge (heraldry)|charges]] that span throughout (from edge to edge of) the shield. As suggested by the name ''saltire'' ("stirrup"; in French: ''[[:wikt:sautoir#French|sautoir]]'', in German: ''[[:wikt:schräg#Etymology|Schragen]]''), the ordinary in its early use was not intended as representing a [[Christian cross]] symbol. The association with [[Saint Andrew]] is a development of the 15th to 16th centuries. The [[Cross of Burgundy]] emblem originates in the 15th century, as a field sign, and as the Saint Andrew's Cross of [[Flag of Scotland|Scotland]] was used in flags or banners (but not in coats of arms) from the 16th century, and used as [[naval ensign]] during the [[Age of Sail]].

When two or more saltires appear, they are usually [[blazon]]ed as [[Attitude (heraldry)|couped]] (cut off). For example, contrast the single saltire in the arms granted to G. M. W. Anderson{{efn|name=Anderson|''Or on a saltire engrailed Azure two quill pens in saltire Argent enfiling a Loyalist military coronet Or''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?ProjectID=149&ShowAll=1 |title=Anderson, George Milton William [Individual&#93; |publisher=Archive.gg.ca |date=2005-07-28 |access-date=2012-09-09}}</ref>}}—with the three ''saltires couped'' in the coat of Kemble Greenwood.{{efn|name=Greenwood|''Sable a chevron Erminois cotised between three saltires couped Or''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?ProjectID=240&ShowAll=1 |title=Greenwood, Kemble [Individual&#93; |publisher=Archive.gg.ca |date=2005-07-28 |access-date=2013-10-25}}</ref>}}

[[Ordinary (heraldry)#Diminutive of the saltire|Diminutive]] forms include the ''fillet saltire'',{{efn|name=Museum|The coat of the South African National Cultural and Open-air Museum: ''Or; an ogress charged with a fillet saltire surmounted by an eight spoked wheel or, and ensigned of a billet sable; a chief nowy gabled, Sable''}} usually considered half or less the width of the saltire, and the ''saltorel'', a narrow or couped saltire.

A field ''(party) per saltire'' is divided into four areas by a saltire-shaped "cut". If two [[Tincture (heraldry)|tinctures]] are specified, the first refers to the areas above (in chief) and below (in base) the crossing, and the second refers to the ones on either side (in the flanks).{{efn|name=Sandwell|The coat of the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council: ''Per saltire Vert and Or four Fers de Moline counterchanged in fess point a Fountain.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/west_mid.html#sandwell%20mbc |title=Civic Heraldry Of England And Wales-West Midlands |publisher=Civicheraldry.co.uk |access-date=2012-09-09}}</ref> }} Otherwise, each of the four divisions may be blazoned separately.

The phrase ''in saltire'' or ''saltirewise'' is used in two ways:
# Two long narrow charges "in saltire" are placed to cross each other diagonally. Common forms include the crossed [[key (lock)|keys]] found in the arms of many entities associated with [[Saint Peter]] and paired arrows.{{efn|name=Suffolk|Suffolk County Council's ''Gules a Base barry wavy enarched Argent and Azure issuant therefrom a Sunburst in chief two Ancient Crowns enfiled by a pair of Arrows in saltire points downwards all Or''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/east_anglia_essex.html |title=Civic Heraldry Of England And Wales – East Anglia And Essex Area |publisher=Civicheraldry.co.uk |access-date=2012-09-09 |archive-date=2009-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828061517/http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/east_anglia_essex.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
# When five or more compact charges are "in saltire", they are arranged with one in the center and the others along the arms of an invisible saltire.{{efn|name=Winchester|Winchester City Council: ''Gules five castles triple towered, in saltire, argent, masoned proper the portcullis of each part-raised, or, and on either side of the castle in fess point a lion passant guardant that to the dexter contourny Or''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/cornwall_wessex.html#winchester%20city |title=Civic Heraldry Of England And Wales - Cornwall And Wessex Area |publisher=Civicheraldry.co.uk |access-date=2012-09-09 |archive-date=2016-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120205725/http://civicheraldry.co.uk/cornwall_wessex.html#winchester%20city |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}{{efn|name=Episcopal|The arms of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America: ''Argent; a quarter azure charged with nine cross crosslets in saltire argent, overall a cross gules''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.episcopalchurch.org/resource-library/logos-shields-graphics/|title=Logos, Shields & Graphics}}</ref>}}

Division of the field ''per saltire'' was notably used by the [[Crown of Aragon|Aragonese]] kings of [[Kingdom of Sicily|Sicily]] beginning in the 14th century ([[Frederick the Simple]]), showing the [[pales of Aragon]] and the "Hohenstaufen" eagle (argent an [[Reichsadler|eagle sable]]).

=== Scotland ===
[[File:Flag of Scotland.svg|thumb|left|upright|[[Flag of Scotland]]]]
The [[Flag of Scotland]], called ''The Saltire'' or ''Saint Andrew's Cross'', is a blue field with a white saltire. According to tradition, it represents [[Saint Andrew]], who is supposed to have been crucified on a cross of that form (called a ''crux decussata'') at [[Patras]], [[Greece]].

The Saint Andrew's Cross was worn as a badge on hats in Scotland, on the day of the [[Feast day|feast]] of Saint Andrew.{{ref label|1728|1|^}}

In the [[politics of Scotland]], both the [[Scottish National Party]] and [[Scottish Conservative Party]] use stylised saltires as their party logos, deriving from the flag of Scotland. Furthermore, the [[Scottish Government]] uses the flag as its official symbol on Scottish Government publications, including letters, documents and press releases.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish Government - Saltire Intranet |url=https://stormid.com/work/scottish-government-saltire-intranet |publisher=stormid |access-date=8 December 2023}}</ref>

Prior to the [[Acts of Union, 1707|Union]], the [[Royal Scots Navy]] used a [[red ensign]] incorporating the St Andrew's Cross; this ensign is now sometimes flown as part of an unofficial [[civil ensign]] in [[Scottish waters]]. With its colours exchanged (and a lighter blue), the same design forms part of the [[Coat of Arms of Nova Scotia|arms]] and [[flag of Nova Scotia]] (whose name means "New Scotland").

=== Cross of Burgundy ===
[[File:Cross of Burgundy (Template).svg|thumb|right|upright|[[Cross of Burgundy]]]]
The [[Cross of Burgundy]], a form of the Saint Andrew's Cross, is used in numerous flags across [[Europe]] and the [[Americas]]. It was first used in the 15th century as an emblem by the [[House of Valois-Burgundy|Valois Dukes of Burgundy]]. The [[Duchy of Burgundy]], forming a large part of eastern [[France]] and the [[Low Countries]], was inherited by the [[House of Habsburg]] on the extinction of the Valois ducal line. The emblem was therefore assumed by the monarchs of [[Spain]] as a consequence of the Habsburgs bringing together, in the early 16th century, their Burgundian inheritance with the other extensive possessions they inherited throughout [[Europe]] and the [[Americas]], including the crowns of [[Crown of Castile|Castile]] and [[Crown of Aragon|Aragon]]. As a result, the Cross of Burgundy has appeared in a wide variety of flags connected with territories formerly part of the Burgundian or Habsburg inheritance. Examples of such diversity include the Spanish naval ensign (1506-1701), the flag of [[Carlism]] (a nineteenth century Spanish conservative movement), the flag of the Dutch municipality of [[Eijsden]], the flag of [[Chuquisaca Department|Chuquisaca]] in Bolivia and the flags of [[Florida]] and [[Alabama]] in the United States.

=== Gascony ===
[[File:Gascogne drapeau.svg|thumb|left|upright|[[Flag of Gascony]] <br />{{lang|oc|Lo Sautèr}} ('the Saltire')]]
[[Gascony]] has not had any institutional unity since the 11th century, hence [[Gascony#Flags|several flags]] are currently used in the territory. Legend says that this flag appeared in the time of [[Pope Clement III]] to gather the Gascons during the [[Third Crusade]] (12th century). That flag, sometimes called "Union Gascona" (Gascon Union), contains the [[St Andrew]]'s cross, the patron saint of [[Bordeaux]] and the red color of [[English kingdom]], which reigned over [[Gascony]] from 12th to mid-15th century.
In Tome 14 of the [[La Grande Encyclopédie|Grande Encyclopédie]], published in France between 1886 and 1902 by [[Henri Lamirault]], it says {{Quote|during the hard times of the Hundred Years' War and the terrible struggles between the [[Armagnac (party)|Armagnacs]], representing the national party (white cross) and the [[Burgundian (party)|Burgundians]], allied to the English (red cross and red Saint Andrew's cross), the flag of the victorious English ends up gathering, in 1422, under [[Henry VI of England|Henri VI]], on its field the white and red crosses of France and England, the white and red Saint Andrew's crosses of [[Guyenne]] and [[Burgundy]].<ref name="gallica">{{Cite book|url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k24649b/f1071.item|title=La grande encyclopédie : Inventaire raisonné des sciences, des lettres et des arts. Tome 14 / Par une société de savants et de gens de lettres ; sous la dir. De MM. Berthelot,... Hartwig Derenbourg,... F.-Camille Dreyfus,... A. Giry,... &#91;et al.&#93;}}</ref>}}
That saltire is also represented in the pattern of some {{lang|oc|talenquères}} in many [[bullring]]s in Gascony.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=701400643932545024|user=Pickwicq|title=Amandine derrière la talenquère pour pentecôte à Samadet 2015<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=21 February 2016}}</ref>

=== Maritime flags ===
[[File:Naval Ensign of Russia.svg|thumb|right|upright|[[Russian Navy Ensign|St Andrew's flag]], used by the Russian Navy]]
The naval [[Maritime flags|ensign]] of the [[Imperial Russian Navy|Imperial Russian]] (1696–1917) and [[Russian Navy|Russian]] navies (1991–present) is a blue saltire on a white field.

The [[international maritime signal flag]] for ''M'' is a white saltire on a blue background, and indicates a stopped vessel. A red saltire on a white background denotes the letter ''V'' and the message "I require assistance".

=== Others ===
The flags of the Colombian archipelago of [[San Andrés and Providencia Department|San Andrés and Providencia]] and the Spanish island of [[Flag of Tenerife|Tenerife]] also use a white saltire on a blue field. The Brazilian cities of [[Rio de Janeiro]] and [[Fortaleza]] also use a blue saltire on a white field, with their coats-of-arms at the hub.

Saltires are also seen in several other flags, including the flags of [[Flag of Grenada|Grenada]], [[Flag of Jamaica|Jamaica]], [[Flag of Alabama|Alabama]], [[Flag of Florida|Florida]], [[Flag of Jersey|Jersey]], [[Logroño]], [[Vitoria-Gasteiz|Vitoria]], [[Flag of Amsterdam|Amsterdam]], [[Breda]], [[Katwijk]], [[Potchefstroom]], [[Bandera del Bierzo|The Bierzo]] and [[flag of Valdivia|Valdivia]], as well as the former Indian [[princely state]]s of [[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]], [[Rajkot State|Rajkot]] and [[Jaora State|Jaora]].

The design is also part of the [[Confederate Battle Flag]] and [[Flags of the Confederate States of America#Naval flags|Naval Jack]] used during the [[American Civil War]] (see [[Flags of the Confederate States of America]]). Arthur L. Rogers, designer of the final version of the Confederate National flag, claimed that it was based on the saltire of Scotland.<ref>{{cite book|last=Coski|first=John M.|title=The Confederate Battle Flag: America's Most Embattled Emblem|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zs0VJTbNwfAC|year=2005|location=United States of America|publisher=First Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-01722-1|pages=17–18}}</ref> The saltire is used on modern-day Southern U.S. state flags to honour the former Confederacy.<ref>{{cite book|last=Coski|first=John M.|title=The Confederate Battle Flag: America's Most Embattled Emblem|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zs0VJTbNwfAC|year=2005|location=United States of America|publisher=First Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-01722-1|page=79}}</ref>

== Christian symbol ==
Anne Roes (1937) identifies a design consisting of two crossing diagonal lines in a rectangle, sometimes with four dots or balls in the four quarters, as an emblem or ''vexillum'' (standard) of [[Persepolis]] during the 3rd to 2nd centuries BC. Roes also finds the design in [[Argive vase painting]], and still earlier in button seals of the Iranian Chalcolithic. Roes also notes the occurrence of a very similar if not identical ''vexillum'' which repeatedly occurs in [[Gaulish coin]]s of c. the 2nd to 1st century BC, in a recurring design where it is held by a charioteer in front of his human-headed horse.<ref>Roes (1937), footnote 15, citing Henri de La Tour, '' Atlas de monnaies gauloises'' (1892), plates [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k8803676/f65.item.zoom xxi], [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k8803676/f69.item.zoom xxiii], coins of the [[Diablintes|Aulerci Diablintes]], [[Aulerci Cenomani]] and [[Osismii]].</ref> A large number of coins of this type (118 out of 152 items) forms part of the Les Sablons hoard of the 1st century BC, discovered in [[Le Mans]] between 1991 and 1997, associated with the [[Aulerci Cenomani|Cenomani]].<ref>''Trésors monétaires'', volume XXIV, BNF, 2011.</ref>
 
The same design is found on coins of Christian Roman emperors of the 4th to 5th centuries ([[Constantius II]], [[Valentinian III|Valentinian]], [[Jovian (Emperor)|Jovian]], [[Gratianus]], [[Valens]], [[Arcadius]], [[Constantine III (western emperor)|Constantine III]], [[Jovinus]], [[Theodosius I]], [[Eugenius]] and [[Theodosius II]]). The letter [[Chi (letter)|Χ (Chi)]] was from an early time used as a symbol for Christ (unrelated to the [[Christian cross]] symbol, which at the time was given a [[Tau cross|T-shape]]). The ''vexillum'' on imperial coins from the 4th century was sometimes shown as the [[Labarum]], surmounted by or displaying the [[Chi-Rho]] monogram rather than just the ''crux decussata''. The emblem of the ''crux decussata'' in a rectangle, sometimes with four dots or balls, re-appears in coins the [[Byzantine Empire]], in the 9th to 10th centuries. Roes suggested that early Christians endorsed its [[solar symbol]]ism as appropriate to [[Christ]].<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |first=Anne |last=Roes |title=An Iranian standard used as a Christian symbol |journal=The Journal of Hellenic Studies |volume=57 |issue=2 |year=1937 |pages=248–51 |doi=10.2307/627151 |jstor=627151 |s2cid=162699148 }}</ref>
<gallery class="center">
File:Labarum (Saltire Pattern).svg|alt=Reconstruction of Saltire pattern labarum per A.Roes[9]|Reconstruction of Saltire pattern labarum per A.Roes<ref name=":0" />
File:Alerque Cénoman statère.jpg|Gold [[stater]] of the [[Aulerci Cenomani|Cenomani]], on the reverse an androcephalous horse led by a charioteer extending a ''vexillum'' in front of it, riding over a fallen enemy.
File:INC-3061-r Солид. Феодосий I Великий. Ок. 393—395 гг. (реверс).png|Coin of Theodosius I (393&ndash;395), with a ''vexillum'' displaying a ''crux decussata''
File:Tesoretto di sovana 070 solido di teodosio II (425-429), zecca di costantinopoli Θ (theta).JPG|Coin of Theodosius II (425&ndash;429), showing the emperor with [[globus cruciger]] and with the same ''vexillum''
</gallery>

The association with [[Saint Andrew]] develops in the late medieval period. The tradition according to which this saint was crucified on a decussate cross is not found in early hagiography. Depictions of Saint Andrew being crucified in this manner first appear in the 10th century, but do not become standard before the 17th century.<ref>Cudith Calvert, "The Iconography of the St. Andrew Auckland Cross", The Art Bulletin 66.4 (December 1984:543–555) p. 545, note 12, citing [[Louis Réau]], Iconographie de l'art chrétien III.1 (Paris) 1958:79.</ref> Reference to the saltire as "St Andrew's Cross" is made by the [[Parliament of Scotland]] (where Andrew had been adopted as [[patron saint]]) in 1385, in a decree to the effect that every Scottish and French soldier (fighting against the [[English invasion of Scotland (1385)|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), [http://www.rps.ac.uk/mss/1385/6/4 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>

<gallery class="center">
File:St Andrew crucified on a diagonal cross.jpg| Saint Andrew martyred on a decussate cross (miniature from an East Anglian missal, {{Circa|1320}})
File:Braunschweig-Lüneburg, Taler 1688, Clausthal, CNG.jpg|Saint Andrew holding his cross on a ''[[Thaler|Taler]]'' of [[Ernest Augustus, Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg]] (1688)
</gallery>The cross continues to be used in modern times by religious groups. The arms of the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]] in the United States features a saltire in its canton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.episcopalarchives.org/sites/default/files/publications/1940_GC_Journal.pdf|title=Journal of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America|publisher=The Episcopal Church|page=288|date=1940}}</ref> The logo of the [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)]] features a red [[chalice]] with a Saint Andrew's cross, representing the Scottish heritage of the denomination.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Story of the Chalice Logo |url=http://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TheStoryoftheChaliceLogo-2015.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418230946/http://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TheStoryoftheChaliceLogo-2015.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-18 |access-date=2017-02-02 |website=Disciples of Christ}}</ref>

== Other ==
{{main|X mark}}
[[File:Hazard X.svg|thumb|upright=0.56|Chemical hazard]]
The diagonal cross (decussate cross) or [[X mark]] is called "saltire" in heraldic and vexillological contexts.

A black diagonal cross was used in an old European Union standard as the hazard symbol for irritants (Xi) or harmful chemicals (Xn). It indicated a hazard less severe than [[skull and crossbones (poison)|skull and crossbones]], used for [[poison]]s, or the [[corrosive]] sign.

The [[Maria Theresa thaler]] has a [[Roman numeral]] ten to symbolize the 1750 debasement of the coinage, from 9 to 10 thalers to the Vienna mark (a weight of silver).

A diagonal cross known as "[[crossbuck]]" is used as the conventional [[road sign]] used to indicate the point at which a railway line intersects a road at a [[level crossing]]. A white diagonal cross on a blue background (or black on yellow for temporary signs) is displayed in [[UK railway signalling]] as a "cancelling indicator" for the [[Automatic Warning System]] (AWS), informing the driver that the received warning can be disregarded.

In [[Cameroon]], a red "X" placed on illegally constructed buildings scheduled for demolition is occasionally referred to as a "St Andrew's Cross". It is usually accompanied by the letters "A.D." ("à détruire"—French for "to be demolished") and a date or deadline. During a campaign of urban renewal by the [[Yaoundé]] Urban Council in Cameroon, the cross was popularly referred to as "Tsimi's Cross" after the Government Delegate to the council, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lemessager.net/details_articles.php?code=118&code_art=24911|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217101704/http://www.lemessager.net/details_articles.php?code=118&code_art=24911|url-status=dead|title=Célestin Obama. Tsimi Evouna s'attaque aux édifices publics, Le Messager, 23 Sept 2008|archivedate=December 17, 2008}}</ref>

In [[Timber framing|traditional timber framing]] a pair of crossing braces is sometimes called a saltire or a St. Andrew's Cross.<ref>Hansen, Hans Jürgen, and Arne Berg. Architecture in wood; a history of wood building and its techniques in Europe and North America. New York: Viking Press, 1971. Print.</ref> Half-timbering, particularly in France and Germany, has patterns of framing members forming many different symbols known as ornamental bracing.<ref>Rudolf Huber and Renate Rieth, Glossarium Artis, 10, Holzbaukunst - Architecture en Bois - Architecture in Wood. Munich, Germany: Saur. 1997. 55. {{ISBN|3-598-10461-8}}</ref>

The saltire cross, [[X-cross (BDSM)|X-cross]], X-frame, or Saint Andrew's cross is a common piece of equipment in BDSM dungeons. It is [[erotic furniture]] that typically provides restraining points for ankles, wrists, and waist. When secured to an X-cross, the subject is restrained in a standing spreadeagle position.

[[Unicode]] encoded various [[X mark#Unicode|decussate cross]]es under the name of saltire, they are  {{unichar|2613|saltire|html=}}, {{unichar|1F7A8|thin saltire|html=}}, {{unichar|1F7A9|light saltire|html=}}, {{unichar|1F7AA|medium saltire|html=}}, {{unichar|1F7AB|bold saltire|html=}}, {{unichar|1F7AC|heavy saltire|html=}}, {{unichar|1F7AD|very heavy saltire|html=}} and  {{unichar|1F7AE|extremely heavy saltire|html=}}.

== Gallery ==
===Coats of arms===
<gallery class="center">
File:Neville.svg|Gules a saltire argent ([[House of Neville|Neville]])
File:St Albans COA.svg|Azure a saltire or ([[Saint Alban's Cross]], [[St Albans]] 1634)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/herts.html|title=CIVIC HERALDRY OF ENGLAND AND WALES - HERTFORDSHIRE|website=www.civicheraldry.co.uk|access-date=2019-03-22|archive-date=2008-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016085818/http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/herts.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
File:Katwijk wapen.svg|Argent a saltire azure ([[Katwijk]])
File:Arms of the Gage family of Hengrave.png|Per saltire azure and argent, a saltire gules ([[Rokewode-Gage baronets|Gage of Hengrave]])
File:Scarsdale (Leke) Escutcheon.png|Argent on a saltire engrailed sable nine annulets of the field ([[Earl of Scarsdale]])
File:BeaumontWillingtonArmsGittishamDevon.JPG|Quarterly 1st & 4th: Barry of six [seven] vair and gules; 2nd & 3rd: Gules, a saltire vair (Henry Beaumont of Devon, d.1591)
File:Blason ville fr Busséol (Puy-de-Dôme).svg|Argent a saltire floretty gules ([[Busséol]])
File:DEU Klein-Winternheim COA.svg|Gules a fillet saltire couped argent above a wheel of the same ([[Klein-Winternheim]])
File:Escudo de San Andrés y Providencia.svg|Coat of arms of the [[Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina|San Andrés Archipelago]]
File:Hexham Coat of Arms.svg|[[Hexham]] Coat of Arms (1953)
</gallery>
;saltirewise
<gallery class="center">
File:Coat_of_arms_of_the_Vatican_City.svg| Gules two keys in saltire argent and or ([[Coat of arms of Vatican City|Coats of arms of the Holy See and Vatican City]])
File:Arms of Navarre-Coat of Arms of Spain Template.svg|Gules a cross saltire and orle of chains linked together or, in the fess point an emerald vert ([[Kingdom of Navarre]])
File:C o a Nicolaus V.svg|Gules two keys argent saltirewise ([[Papal coat of arms]] for [[Pope Nicholas V]], 1447)
File:BodleyArms.png|Argent five martlets saltirewise sable on a chief azure three ducal crowns or ([[Thomas Bodley|Bodley]])
File:Coat of arms of Kharkiv.svg|Vert bordure or a caduceus argent and or and a cornucopia or with fruits and vegetables proper saltirewise ([[Coat of arms of Kharkiv]], [[Ukraine]])
File:Emblem of the Federal Customs Service of Russia.svg|Vert bordure or a torch and a caduceus or saltirewise ([[Federal Customs Service of Russia]])
File:Lesser coat of Arms of Riga - for display.svg|Argent two keys sable saltirewise under a cross pattée or (Lesser [[coat of arms of Riga]], [[Latvia]])
</gallery>
;in supporters
<gallery class="center">
File:Wernigeroder Wappenbuch 022.jpg|[[Papal coat of arms]] for [[Pope Innocent VIII]] with the [[Keys of Peter]] saltirewise ([[Wernigerode Armorial]], {{Circa|1490}}) 
File:Royal Coat of arms of Spain (1700-1761)-Common Version of the Colours.svg|[[Coat of arms of the King of Spain#Ornamented versions of the historical royal coats of arms|Royal Coat of Arms of Spain]] (1700–1761)<ref name="abeilhe">*Álvarez Abeilhé, Juan. L''a bandera de España. El origen militar de los símbolos de España.'' Revista de Historia Militar Año LIV (2010). Núm extraord. Madrid: Ministerio de Defensa. {{ISSN|0482-5748}}. PP. 37-69.</ref>
File:National Coat of arms of Spain (Until 1931)-Version of the Colours.svg |[[Coat of arms of Spain#Historical Spanish coats of arms|Coat of arms of Spain]] (1874–1931)<ref name="abeilhe"/>
File:Brasao-Brigantina.png|Coat of arms of the [[House of Braganza]].
</gallery>
;other
<gallery class="center">
File:Coat of arms of Kaliningrad.svg|[[Coat of arms of Kaliningrad]]
File:Coat of arms of Barbados (3).svg|Coat of arms of [[Barbados]] with Sugar Canes held saltirewise.
</gallery>

===Flags===
<gallery class="center">
File:Flag of the Vatican City.svg|[[Vatican City]]'s flag ([[Flag of Vatican City]])
File:Saint Alban's cross.svg|[[Saint Alban's Cross|Saint Alban's flag]] (13th century)
File:Kingdom of Sicily naval flag.svg|Naval flag of the [[Kingdom of Sicily]] (after [[Guillem Soler]] c. 1380), inheriting the ''per saltire'' division from the [[List of monarchs of Sicily#House of Barcelona, 1282–1410|royal]] coat of arms.
File:Flag of Scotland (1-1).svg|[[Flag of Scotland]] (c. 1507)<ref>As a naval flag for the carrack ''[[Great Michael]]''. As square flag carried by heraldic supporters c. 1542. {{cite web|url=https://chped.net:443/http/www.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-578-942-C&scache=2u90s101bf&searchdb=scran |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327062714/https://chped.net/http/www.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-578-942-C&scache=2u90s101bf&searchdb=scran |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |title=Plate from the Lindsay Armorial |access-date=2009-12-09 |author=National Library of Scotland |year=1542 |work=Scran |publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland }}</ref>
File:Gascogne drapeau.svg|Flag of [[Gascony]] (15th century?<ref name="gallica"/>)
File:Military flag of the Burgundian state under Duke Charles the Bold.jpg|[[Cross of Burgundy|Cross of Burgundy Flag]], [[Duchy of Burgundy]] and [[Burgundian Netherlands]] (15th century)
File:Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg|[[Cross of Burgundy|Cross of Burgundy Flag]], [[Spanish Empire]] (16th century)
File:Bandera de Chuquisaca y Sucre.svg|Flag of [[Sucre]] ([[Chuquisaca Department|Chuquisaca]]), (currently [[Bolivia]]) (1540)
File:Flag of Valdivia, Chile.svg|Flag of [[Valdivia]], [[Chile]] (1552)
File:Tercio - Liga.svg|''Tercio de la Liga'' (1571)
File:St Patrick's saltire.svg|[[Saint Patrick's Saltire|Saint Patrick's Flag]] (1783)
File:Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg|[[Union Jack]] (1606)
File:Union Jack 1606 Scotland.svg|[[Union Jack]] in Scotland (1606)
File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|[[Union Jack]] (1801)
File:Tercio - Spínola.svg|''Unknown Tercio flag (appears near commander Ambrogio Spinola in the painting "[[The Surrender of Breda]]" of Diego Velázquez)'' (1621)
File:Tercio - Alburquerque.svg|''Tercio de Alburquerque'' (1643)
File:Tercio - Morados Viejos.svg|''Tercio Morados Viejos'' (1670)
File:Tercio - Amarillos Viejos.svg|''Tercio Amarillos Viejos'' (1680)
File:Scottish Covenanter Flag.svg|[[Covenanters|Scottish Covenanter]] flag (17th century)
File:Reconstructed battle standard of Earl of Argyll 1685.svg|Flag of [[Argyll's Rising]] (1685)
File:Naval Ensign of Russia.svg|[[Russian Navy Ensign|St Andrew's flag]] of the [[Russian Navy]] and [[Imperial Russian Navy]] (1712)
File:Naval Jack of Russia.svg|[[Jack (flag)|Jack]] of the [[Russian Navy]] (1992)
File:Military ensign of Vistula Flotilla of Congress Poland.svg|Flag of [[Congress Poland]] (1815)
File:Flag of Nova Scotia.svg|[[Flag of Nova Scotia]] (1858)
File:Battle flag of the Confederate States of America (With White Border).svg|[[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] [[Army of Northern Virginia]] battle flag (1863–1865)
File:Confederate Navy Jack (light blue).svg|[[Flags of the Confederate States of America#Naval flags|Confederate naval jack (1863–1865)]]
File:Flag of the Shanghai International Settlement pre-WWI.svg|Flag of Shanghai Municipal Council, [[Shanghai International Settlement]] (1869 – {{ca.|1917}})
File:Southern Nationalist Flag.svg|Flag of the [[League of the South]]
File:Flag of the Shanghai International Settlement.svg|Flag of Shanghai Municipal Council, Shanghai International Settlement (c. 1917 – 1943)
File:Ensign of Chinese Customs (Qing Dynasty).svg|Ensign of [[Chinese Maritime Customs Service|Chinese Customs]] (1867–1911)
File:South African Burgers Flag.svg|[[Flag of the South African Republic]] ("[[Thomas François Burgers|Burgers]] Flag") (1874–1875), also flag of [[Potchefstroom]].
File:Flag of Peru (1821–1822).svg|[[Flag of Peru]] (1821–1825)
File:Bandeira da cidade do Rio de Janeiro.svg|[[Flag of Rio de Janeiro (city)|Flag of Rio de Janeiro]] (1908)
File:Flag of the Empire of China (1915–1916) - variant.svg|Flag of the [[Empire of China (1915–1916)]]
File:Flag of the 1st Officer General Markov Regiment.svg|[[White movement|White Army]] [[Sergey Markov|General Markov's]] Regiment flag (1917–1922)
File:Naval Ensign of the Far Eastern Republic.svg|Naval flag of the [[Far Eastern Republic]] (1921–1922)
File:Naval Jack of Estonia.svg|Jack of the [[Estonian Navy]] (1926)
File:Flag of Minister of Finance of ROC.svg|Flag of the Inspector-General of Customs (1929–1950) and the [[Ministry of Finance (Taiwan)|Ministry of Finance]] of the Republic of China (1950–2014)
File:Bandeira de Fortaleza.svg|Flag of [[Fortaleza]] (1958)
File:Flag of Jamaica.svg|[[Flag of Jamaica]] (1962)
File:Village flag of Katwijk (ZH) 1970.svg|Flag of [[Katwijk]] (1970)
File:Banner of Krakow.svg|[[Symbols of Kraków|Banner of Kraków]] (2004)
File:Flag of Grenada.svg|[[Flag of Grenada]] (1974)
File:Flag of Amsterdam.svg|[[Flag of Amsterdam]] (1975)
File:Flag of the Basque Country.svg|Flag of the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] (the ''[[Ikurriña|Ikurrina]]'') (1978)
File:Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador.svg|[[Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador]] (1980)
File:Flag of Jersey.svg|[[Flag of Jersey]] (1981)
File:Flag of Burundi.svg|[[Flag of Burundi]] (1982)
File:Flag of Tenerife.svg|[[Flag of Tenerife]] (1989)
File:Naval Jack of Bulgaria.svg|Jack of the [[Bulgarian Navy]] (1991)
File:Flag of Truro, Nova Scotia.png|Flag of [[Truro, Nova Scotia|Truro]], [[Nova Scotia]] (1993)
File:Russia, Flag of the Customs 1994.svg|Flag of the Federal Customs Service of Russia (1994)
File:Flag of the Georgian Coast Guard.svg|Ceremonial ensign of the [[Coast Guard of Georgia]] (1999)
File:Battle ensign of the Coast Guard of Georgia.svg|Battle ensign of the Coast Guard of Georgia (2004)
File:Naval Ensign of Georgia.svg|Naval Ensign of Georgia (2004–2009)
File:Russia, Flag of border service 2008.svg|Flag of the [[Coast Guard (Russia)|Russian Coast Guard]] (2008)
File:Flag of Arkhangelsk Oblast.svg|[[Flag of Arkhangelsk Oblast]] (2009)
File:Katwijk vlag.svg|Flag of [[Katwijk]] (2009)
File:Flag of Ruhnu Parish.svg|Flag of [[Ruhnu Parish]], [[Estonia]] (2015)
File:Flag of Vladivostok.svg|Flag of [[Vladivostok]] (2016)
File:Flag of Sutherland.svg|[[Flag of Sutherland]] (2018)
File:Auto Racing White Cross.svg|[[Auto racing]] [[Racing flags|disqualification flag]]
</gallery>
<!--only include flags that are notable enough to have their own (referenced) article, or that can be dated based on a reliable reference
File:Saint Alban's cross.svg | [[Saint Alban's Cross]]: granted as the COAT OF ARMS (not flag!) of [[St Albans]] in 1634. Occasional use on flags is modern (20th century?) 
Flag of Apopka, Florida.png | [[Apopka, Florida]]
File:Flag of Arkhangelsk Oblast.svg|Flag of [[Arkhangelsk]]
File:Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg | Flag of the [[Belgian Navy]]
File:Flag of the Belize Defence Force.svg|Flag of the [[Belize Defence Force]]
File:Flag of Brevard County, Florida.png| Flag of [[Brevard County, Florida|Brevard County]]
File:Bandera de El Bierzo.svg | Flag of [[El Bierzo]]
File:Bandera de Castro Urdiales.png | Flag of [[Castro Urdiales]]
File:Flag of Clay County, Florida.png|Flag of [[Clay County, Florida|Clay County]]
File:Flag of Collier County, Florida.png|Flag of [[Collier County, Florida|Collier County]]
File:Flag of Coral Springs, Florida.png|Flag of [[Coral Springs, Florida|Coral Springs]]
File:Bandeira Fortaleza Ceara Brasil.svg|Flag of the [[Fortaleza]] ([[Ceará]], [[Brazil]])
File:Flag of Hollywood, Florida.png| Flag of [[Hollywood, Florida]]
File:FLAG Kanjiža.gif | Flag of [[Kanjiža]], [[Serbia]]
File:Flag of Katwijk.svg | Flag of the village of [[Katwijk]]
File:Katwijk vlag.svg | Flag of the municipality [[Katwijk]]
File:Bandera de Logroño.svg | Flag of [[Logroño]]
File:Flag of Luqa.svg | Flag of [[Luqa]]
File:Flag of Marsaxlokk.svg | Flag of [[Marsaxlokk]]
File:Flag of the Kingdom of Abemama (April 1884-June 1884).svg|Flag of the Kingdom of [[Abemama]] (April 1884&nbsp;June 1884)
File:Flag of the Kingdom of Abemama (1884-c. 1889).svg|Flag of the Kingdom of Abemama (1884&nbsp;1889)
File:Flag of Miami-Dade County, Florida.png|Flag of [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade County]]
File:Flag of Panama City, Florida.png | Flag of [[Panama City, Florida]]
File:Flag of the Prime Minister of Portugal.svg|Flag of the [[Prime Minister of Portugal]]
File:Flag of Portuguese Minister.svg|Flag of Portuguese Minister
File:Burgers flag.svg | Flag of [[Potchefstroom, North West|Potchefstroom]], [[North West Province (South Africa)|North West Province]], [[South Africa]]
File:IslaHTML.gif | Flag of [[Senglea]]
File:SwieqiHTML.gif | Flag of [[Swieqi]]
File:Flag of Tallahassee, Florida.png| Flag of [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]]
File:Flag of Zabbar.svg | Flag of [[Żabbar]]
File:Naval Jack of Russia.svg | Russian [[Naval Jack]]
File:Flag of San Andrés y Providencia.svg|Flag of [[San Andres and Providencia Department]], [[Colombia]].
File:BandeiraSantoAndre.svg|Flag of [[Santo André, São Paulo]]
File:Flag of the Shanghai International Settlement.svg|Flag of [[Shanghai International Settlement]]
File:Flag of Rajkot Principality.gif|Flag of the former Indian princely state of [[Rajkot State|Rajkot]]
File:Southern_Nationalist_flag.svg | [[League of the South]] flag
-->

;International Code of Signals
<gallery class="center">
File:ICS Mike.svg|[[International Code of Signals#Single-flag signals|Mike]]
File:ICS Victor.svg|[[International Code of Signals#Single-flag signals|Victor]]
</gallery>

;United States
<gallery class="center">
File:Flag_of_Alabama.svg| [[Flag of Alabama]] (1895)
File:Flag_of_Florida.svg| [[Flag of Florida]] (1868, 1900)
File:Flag of the State of Georgia (1956–2001).svg| [[Flag of Georgia (U.S. state)|Flag of Georgia]] (1956–2001)
File:Flag of Mississippi (1996–2020).svg| [[Flag of Mississippi]] (1894–2020)
</gallery>

===Military insignia===
<gallery class="center">
File:Naval_Ensign_of_Russia.svg | [[Ensign of the Russian Navy]]
File:Royal Regiment of Scotland TRF.png | [[Tactical recognition flash|Tactical Recognition Flash]] of the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]
File:Fin Flash of Spain.svg | [[Spanish Air Force]] fin flash
File:Roundel of Bulgaria (1941-1944).svg | [[Bulgarian Air Force]] roundel (1941–1944)
File:10th Mountain Division SSI.svg| Bayonets ''in saltire'' create Roman numeral X for the US Army's [[10th Mountain Division]].
</gallery>

===Orders===
<gallery class="center">
File:Insignia of Knight of the Thistle.png|[[Order of the Thistle]]
File:Insignia of Knight of St Patrick.jpg|[[Order of St Patrick]]
File:Ridder in de Militaire Willems-Orde.jpg|[[Military Order of William]]
File:Andrey1.jpg|[[Order of St Andrew]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{stack|{{Portal|Heraldry and Vexillology}}}}

{{div col}}
* [[Christian cross]]
* [[Cross of Saint Peter]]
* [[Crossbuck]]
* [[Nordic cross]]
* [[Saint Andrew's Cross (disambiguation)]]
* [[Saint George's Cross]]
* [[Saint Patrick's Saltire]]
* [[X mark]]
{{div col end}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{1728|title=Saltier}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Heraldry}}
{{Vexillology}}
{{Christian crosses}}

[[Category:Andrew the Apostle]]
[[Category:Christian crosses]]
[[Category:Cross symbols]]
[[Category:Crosses in heraldry]]
[[Category:Flags of saints]]
[[Category:Heraldic ordinaries]]
[[Category:Saltire flags]]
[[Category:Timber framing]]
[[Category:National symbols of Scotland]]
[[Category:National symbols of Jamaica]]
[[Category:National symbols of Burundi]]