The national flag of the United Kingdom is the Union Flag, commonly called the Union Jack. Its design combines crosses associated with England, Scotland and Ireland and reached its present form in 1801.
What does the Union Jack represent?
The design combines the red cross of St George for England, the white diagonal cross of St Andrew on blue for Scotland, and the red diagonal cross of St Patrick associated with Ireland. Wales does not have a separate element in the Union Flag because the first union flag developed while Wales was already legally integrated with England.
History of the Union Flag
The first Union Flag was created in 1606 after James VI of Scotland also became James I of England, uniting the two crowns under one monarch. That version combined the crosses of St George and St Andrew. The current design dates from 1801, following the union of Great Britain and Ireland, when the red saltire associated with St Patrick was added by royal proclamation.
Union Flag or Union Jack?
Both names are widely used. The House of Commons Library describes the Union Flag as commonly known as the Union Jack and identifies it as the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Historically, “jack” had a naval association, but the term is now used generally.
United Kingdom flag facts
- Official/common names: Union Flag, Union Jack
- First union design: 1606
- Current form: 1801
- Main elements: crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick
Source
Primary reference: House of Commons Library — Flags: the Union Flag and flags of the United Kingdom.
