Happy St Andrews Day

St Andrew - Patron Saint of Scotland

In January 2007, the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act was given royal assent, making 30 November (or the nearest Monday if a weekend) a bank holiday in Scotland. However, instead of being a full public holiday, it is a voluntary public holiday.

On 30 November, Scottish people celebrate St Andrew's Day.

The Scottish flag is the cross of St. Andrew, also known as the Saltire. It is said to be one of the oldest national flags of any country, dating back at least to the 12th century.

Who was St Andrew? St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland St. Andrew was one of the Twelve Apostles (disciples of Jesus) and brother of Simon Peter (Saint Peter). He was a fisherman by trade, who lived in Galilee (in present-day Israel.)

Why is St Andrew's symbol a white cross on a blue background? St. Andrew is believed to have died on a diagonally transversed cross which the Romans sometimes used for executions and which, therefore, came to be called St. Andrew's cross. The blue stands for the sky.

The thistle is widely regarded as the emblem of Scotland.
Facts, Customs and Traditions St. Andrew's Day is connected with Advent, which begins on the nearest Sunday to 30 November.

St. Andrew's Day marks the opening of Christmas Markets.

Many Midwinter customs and folk superstitions are also connected to St. Andrew's day.
Around midnight on Nov. 29, the day before St Andrew's Day, it was traditional for girls to pray to St. Andrew for a husband. They would make a wish and look for a sign that they had been heard.
A girl wishing to marry could: Throw a shoe at a door. If the toe of the shoe pointed in the direction of the exit, then she would marry and leave her parents' house within a year.

Peel a whole apple without breaking the peel and throw the peel over the shoulder. If the peel formed a letter of the alphabet, then this suggested the name of her future groom.