Union Jack

The Union Jack or Union Flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom. There is no law saying it is the national flag, but it has become one through common use.

The flag combines symbols of different parts of the United Kingdom. It shows the cross of Saint George, linked to England, on top of the red diagonal cross of Saint Patrick, linked to Ireland. This design is also placed on the diagonal cross of Saint Andrew, linked to Scotland. Wales is not shown because when the flag was first made, Wales was already part of the Kingdom of England.

The design of the Union Jack started in 1606 when King James VI and I made a proclamation. The current design was set in 1800 after the Act of Union 1800, which joined the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Even after Ireland became independent in 1922, the flag stayed the same.

Many places once ruled by Britain still use the Union Jack in their flags today. This includes some British Overseas Territories and parts of the Commonwealth. In Canada, the flag is also called the Royal Union Flag and has official status there.

Terminology

The terms Union Jack and Union Flag both name the national flag of the United Kingdom.

At first, people called it the "British flag" or "flag of Britain." The word "Union" started being used in 1625. The word "jack" comes from an old word for small objects or smaller versions of big things. On ships, a small flag called a "jack" showed the ship's country. When this small flag was the Union Flag, it became known as the "Union Jack." Now, both names are used for the national flag.

The Union Flag is made by joining three crosses: the cross of Saint George (for England), the cross of Saint Andrew (for Scotland), and the cross of Saint Patrick (for Ireland). Each cross has a white edge.

The flag has nicknames too. In Chinese, it is sometimes called the "Rice-Character Flag" because it looks like the Chinese character for "rice."

Design

The Union Jack has looked the same since 1801. It mixes three key symbols: the cross of Saint George (England), the cross of Saint Andrew (Scotland), and the cross of Saint Patrick (Ireland). These crosses overlap to make the flag we see today.

The Union Jack is usually twice as long as it is tall. In the United Kingdom, land flags often use a ratio of 3:5, but the 1:2 ratio is used for most purposes. The flag has a correct way to be shown, with parts of the crosses in a special order. Sometimes it is shown the wrong way by mistake, but there is a right way to fly the flag.

History

In 1603, James VI of Scotland became king of England as James I. This joined the crowns of both countries. Before this, England and Scotland used different flags. After the union, new flag designs were made, mixing symbols from both nations. These early designs used the crosses of Saint George (England) and Saint Andrew (Scotland), but none were chosen as the official flag.

In 1606, a new flag was made to represent both England and Scotland. This flag combined the red cross of Saint George on white with the white saltire of Saint Andrew on blue. It was first used by ships from both countries. Over time, this flag became known as the Union Jack and was later used on land too.

The current Union Jack was updated in 1801 to include a red saltire for Saint Patrick, representing Ireland after it joined the United Kingdom. This design has been used ever since, even after Ireland became independent, because Northern Ireland stayed part of the UK. Today, the flag represents the United Kingdom, combining symbols from England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Status in the United Kingdom

The Union Jack is used by ships and aircraft in the Royal Navy, army, and Royal Air Force. When a ship is at rest, the flag is shown from a special pole at the front. During special events, it can also be shown while the ship is moving.

The Union Flag shows important leaders when they are on a ship. It is also raised when certain official meetings happen.

There is no law saying the Union Jack is the national flag, but it has become the national flag through tradition. People have been treating it this way since 1908.

Anyone can fly the Union Flag on land, but only military ships can use it at sea. There are special flags for different types of ships, and the Union Jack is part of these designs.

The Union Jack can be flown all year round on government buildings, especially on special days like birthdays of royalty, holidays, and other important events.

The Union Jack is also the flag for British territories around the world, though some of these places have their own special flags too.

Status outside the United Kingdom

Australia

The Union Flag was Australia’s official flag until 1953. It was used in schools to show loyalty to the British Empire. In 1953, the Australian Blue Ensign became the official flag, but people could still fly the Union Flag. The Union Jack was used informally for some time, but by the 1980s, most Australians saw the blue ensign as their national flag.

Canada

Further information: List of Canadian flags

The Union Jack was Canada’s official flag until 1965, when it was replaced by the Maple Leaf flag. Since then, the Union Jack is used to show Canada’s connection to the Commonwealth of Nations and its loyalty to the Crown.

History

The Union Jack has been used in British North American colonies since 1707. In 1867, when New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada formed the Canadian Confederation, the Union Jack remained the official flag. Over time, a red ensign with the arms of Canada became an informal symbol. In 1964, plans were made to replace the Union Flag with a new national flag, leading to a big debate. The Maple Leaf flag was approved in December 1964 and became official in February 1965. However, the Union Jack was designated as the Royal Union Flag and continues to be used for ceremonial purposes.

The Union Jack was also the flag of the Dominion of Newfoundland in 1931. After Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, the Union Jack remained the provincial flag until 1980, when a new flag was adopted.

Protocol

In 1964, Canada decided the Union Flag would have two roles: representing the United Kingdom and serving as an official ceremonial flag for Canada. When used for the United Kingdom, it takes precedence over provincial flags. As a ceremonial flag, provincial flags take precedence. The Royal Union Flag is flown on certain days and events, such as Commonwealth Day and Victoria Day, usually alongside the Canadian national flag when there are at least two flagpoles.

New Zealand

The Union Flag became New Zealand’s flag in 1840 after the Treaty of Waitangi. It replaced the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand. British maritime flags were used until 1865, when New Zealand vessels started using a defaced blue ensign. The current national flag of New Zealand was officially adopted in 1902, but the Union Flag continued to be used alongside it into the 1950s.

South Africa

The Union Jack was used in South African colonies since 1795 and remained the official flag of the Union of South Africa after its formation in 1910. From 1910 to 1928, the South African Red Ensign was also treated as an unofficial flag. In 1927, both the Union Jack and the Oranje, Blanje, Blou flag were named as the flags of the union. The Oranje, Blanje, Blou flag became the sole national flag in 1957 and was replaced by the current flag of South Africa in 1994.

Use outside the Commonwealth

Movements in countries not part of the Commonwealth have sometimes used the Union Flag as a protest symbol.

Hong Kong

The Union Flag was used in Hong Kong when it was a British territory. After Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997, its official use ended. In the 2010s, the Union Flag was used by some protestors during protests in Hong Kong. People used it for various reasons.

Italy

After the British vote to leave the European Union, the Union Flag became a symbol of opposition to the European Union in Italy. In 2016, some businesses along the Italian Riviera displayed the flag to protest against certain EU regulations.

Use in other flags

The Union Jack, or Union Flag, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It shows the crosses of three saints: Saint George of England, Saint Andrew of Scotland, and Saint Patrick of Ireland.

The Union Flag is used in many other flags. It is often in the top-left corner of flags from places that were once British colonies. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji have the Union Jack in their flags. The flag was also used by many places and cities during times of British influence.

The Union Jack is part of some naval and air force flags used by the United Kingdom and a few other countries. These flags often have the Union Jack in the top-left corner with other symbols that mean something to the group.

In popular culture

The Union Jack is one of the most well-known flags in the world. Its special design and the wide reach of British culture have made it famous. Many countries that were once part of the British Empire use the Union Jack in their own flags and symbols, like Australia and New Zealand.

The Union Jack is also popular in fashion. It became a fashion symbol in the 1960s during the British Invasion and again in the mid-1990s during the 'Cool Britannia' era. It has appeared on clothes, guitars, and even tattoos.

In the video game Watch Dogs: Legion made by Ubisoft, there is a version of the Union Jack that changes if Scotland becomes independent from the United Kingdom.

Subsumation in corporate branding

The Union Jack is often used to show the English language choice on websites and software. It has also been used by many brands to show their British roots. Music stars like the Rolling Stones, the Who, and Oasis have used it in their designs.

British Airways used the Union Jack on their airplane tails. The car company BMW Mini uses the shape of the Union Jack in their tail lights.