Dumb Question

[Bill]

Hello all!

I'm not sure that I'm posting this in the right niche so if it needs to be moved Hank please do.

Dumb question for the day.

I aquired the Scottish "Lion Rampant" flag and then found out that it is one of the royal standards.
My question is this is it proper for this to be flown as an everyday item? I wouldn't want to give cause for offense here.

[Colin]

This is probably best answered by on of the Scots on the board, but here in Vancouver I have seen both the Saltire and the Rampant Lion flags being flown. I don't see there being a problem with flying it on a regular basis, it is the unofficial second flag of Scotland. Giv'r.

[macwilkin]

The Lion Rampant the personal standard of the Sovereign of Scotland, this case HM Queen Elizabeth (I of Scotland, II of England), technically, it should not be flown by anyone except the Queen and her represenatives. (The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, for instance, have permission to fly it from their anntennas of their tanks) This is a sticky subject that causes much debate among Scots and their descendents, and I don't want to start anything, but let me just say that our local St. Andrew's Society has it written in our by-laws that we will not fly the Lion Rampant at any society function because we are a St. Andrew's Society, the saltire is more appropriate, and out of respect for Scottish custom, even though we are not bound by law not to do so.

Now, that being said, I see it being flown everywhere down here "south of the border" as well. At least they're displaying pride in their heritage.

Cheers

T.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Hey Bill,

This is the United States. Fly that baby at will lad! 8)

If the Queen's Guard wants to come to North Dakota and say something... let 'em!

Fly with pride!

[highlandtide]

We as Americans are defiant of Brittish Royalty by our very existance. That is why we drive on the correct - uuhh I mean right - side of the road and why our horses run the opposite way around the track as they do in England (I havent proven that yet but I heard it once).

I am with Jimmy on this one. Fly it loud and proud.

[phil h]

things change,by use ,and just by people flying it in scotland, it has become like a second scotish flag

[macwilkin]

Gents,

I'm afraid everyone might be missing my point here: if you'll notice in my last posting, I explained the history behind the Lion Rampant flag, my personal beliefs about it, and then ended with this statement:

Now, that being said, I see it being flown everywhere down here "south of the border" as well. At least they're displaying pride in their heritage.

I have no problem with someone flying the Lion Rampant because they are proud to be of Scottish heritage. That's great. I just want people to be aware of the history & symbolism behind this particular flag, and to respect the fact that many of us choose not to fly it because of the respect we have for it. I think the Saltire is more appropriate to represent the Scottish people, since it is the symbol of Scotland's patron saint, rather than the personal standard of a monarch (William the Lion and his successors) -- and I am a "closet monarchist"!

I don't dislike the LR, but it is not "my" flag to fly -- if others feel different, then great -- wave it with pride -- but please understand that those of us who do not feel just as strong about it -- and we respect it and what it stands for so much that we do not feel right in flying it.

The flag is flying right now -- on the tanks of the RSDG in Basra under heavy hostile fire. God bless the men and women who server under it!

Yours Aye,

T.

[highlandtide]

I dont think anyone was knocking you epscot. I think that was just us voicing our opinion about it. I wasnt even commenting based on what you wrote.

[Graham]

Bill, so far as I am concerned...there is no such thing here as a "dumb question".

You raised an issue that I'd not thought about. Thanks for it.

[Donnie]

The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask! Let 'er fly, Dude!