The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SALTIRE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
A
L
T
I
R
E
More clues leading to the result SALTIRE
- Father hiding key makes one cross
- Sarah to become fatigued and cross
- Trials new English and Scottish flag
- Rating indignation as a symbolic thing?
- Cross after putting up city’s 1A
- A bit postmenopausal, tired and cross
- Standard alert is broadcast
- Anger shown after seaman gets cross
- Cross sailor’s wrath
- Cross, father swallows key
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "a symbolic thing" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a symbolic thing = saltire.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SALTIRE mean?
SALTIRE noun- An ordinary (geometric design) in the shape of an X. It usually occupies the entire field in which it is placed.
- The Saint Andrew's cross, the flag of Scotland.