Being half Scottish (thanks to my mum) I thought that I should pop up a little something about St. Andrew’s Day. So, it’s the National Day of Scotland and I realise that I don’t really know that much about it all. I did some investigating and found out these facts:
- The flag (above) is called the Saltire. It has caused controversy in the past whether the Union Flag or the Saltire is flown on national buildings.
- In parts of Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Romania there are some superstitious beliefs that the night before St. Andrew’s Day is one when magic is well used. Some think that a woman’s future husband will be revealed on this night.
- Also in Poland, they pour wax into keyholes…. I don’t really understand why… But I read it online, so it must be true (hmmm?)
- In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, women write names of their ‘potential’ husbands on pieces of paper and pop them into dough called ‘Halusky’. When cooked the name of their potential husband ‘allegedly’ floats to the surface. (There may be a reason why these women are not married).
- Latha Naomh Anndra is how to say the day in Scottish Gaelic.
Well, now you know a little bit more about 30th November.
Very interesting! Thank you Jamie.
Terri
I’m very glad to see that you think St Andrews Day is worth writing about
Of course!