The flag of the United Kingdom, officially called the Union Flag and more commonly the Union Jack, is one of the most recognisable in the world. It is the very symbol of the union between the kingdom's nations: its current form comes from overlaying the crosses of the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland.
What it looks like
The flag combines three crosses:
- the Cross of St George, red on white, symbol of England;
- the Cross of St Andrew, a white diagonal cross on blue, symbol of Scotland;
- the Cross of St Patrick, a red diagonal cross on white, symbol of Ireland.
The first version, with only the English and Scottish crosses, was created in 1606, three years after King James VI of Scotland also became King of England as James I. The current version dates from 1 January 1801, when Ireland joined the United Kingdom and the Cross of St Patrick was added. After most of Ireland became independent in 1922 the cross remained, because Northern Ireland was still part of the kingdom.
A curiosity: the flag is not symmetrical. The white diagonal stripes are wider on one side than the other, because the red Cross of St Patrick is offset so as not to cover the white Cross of St Andrew entirely, as a sign of parity between Scotland and Ireland. To fly it correctly, the broader white stripe must be at the top nearest the flagpole: flying it upside down is considered a mistake, and traditionally a signal of distress.
What about Wales?
Wales is not represented in the Union Jack, because at the time of the first union of the crowns it was already legally considered part of the Kingdom of England. From time to time someone proposes adding the Welsh red dragon, but the flag has never been changed.
The flags of the nations
- England: the Cross of St George, flown above all during football and rugby matches.
- Scotland: the Cross of St Andrew, the Saltire, one of the oldest flags in Europe, which according to legend appeared in the sky during a 9th-century battle.
- Wales: the red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) on white and green, the Tudor colours, officially recognised in 1959.
- Northern Ireland: it has no official flag of its own. The Ulster Banner, with a red hand and crown on a Cross of St George, was the flag of the Northern Ireland government from 1953 to 1972 and is still used by unionists and in sporting competitions, while nationalists use the Irish tricolour. The Cross of St Patrick appears on some official occasions.
There are also much-loved regional flags, such as the white cross on black of St Piran in Cornwall, and county flags.
When and how it is used
There is no law in the UK regulating private use of the flag, which anyone may fly freely. On government buildings it is raised on set dates, such as royal birthdays, Commonwealth Day and Remembrance Sunday. Over Buckingham Palace flies the Royal Standard when the King is in residence, and the Union Flag when he is away. The Union Jack also appears in the canton of the flags of several Commonwealth countries and overseas territories, such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Falklands.
The name "Union Jack"
The origin of the name Jack is debated: the most common explanation is that it comes from the jack, the small flag flown at the bow of Royal Navy ships. The official name is Union Flag, but since 1908 Parliament has accepted that Union Jack may also be used correctly.
See also the British monarchy, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.