Flag of England
The English flag is the flag of St. George, the patron saint of the country. It is a red cross on a white background representing purity. It was adopted in the 14th century in the reign of Edward III though St. George's flag was used by soldiers going into battle for quite some time before that. Shakespeare has Henry V rallying his troops at the battle of Agincourt in 1415 by shouting, "Cry God for Harry, England and St. George!"
Flag of Scotland
The flag of Scotland is a white diagonal cross on a blue background. This is the cross of St. Andrew, Scotland's patron saint, who was martyred on such a cross. The blue represents the sky and the white saltire, or diagonal cross, clouds. The saltire was apparently seen in the sky in 832 AD by the Scottish king and his troops before battle.
The English flag is the flag of St. George, the patron saint of the country. It is a red cross on a white background representing purity. It was adopted in the 14th century in the reign of Edward III though St. George's flag was used by soldiers going into battle for quite some time before that. Shakespeare has Henry V rallying his troops at the battle of Agincourt in 1415 by shouting, "Cry God for Harry, England and St. George!"
Flag of Scotland
The flag of Scotland is a white diagonal cross on a blue background. This is the cross of St. Andrew, Scotland's patron saint, who was martyred on such a cross. The blue represents the sky and the white saltire, or diagonal cross, clouds. The saltire was apparently seen in the sky in 832 AD by the Scottish king and his troops before battle.
Flag of Northern Ireland
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the flag used in the Union Jack to represent Northern Ireland is a diagonal red cross on a white background. But St. Patrick and St. Patrick's day have always been associated with the color green, so where did this flag come from? It has been suggested that it was taken from the arms of the premier duke of Ireland, the Duke of Leinster, but there is little contemporary evidence to support this.
Forming of Union Jack
In 1603, the King of Scotland, James VI, became King of England and Scotland on the death of Queen Elizabeth. Thus the crowns were united and variations combining the two flags were tried out. But it was not until 1801 when St. Patrick's flag was added that the present day Union Jack was created. At that time, the whole of Ireland was united and remained part of the United Kingdom until 1921 when the southern part gained independence.
Facts about Union Jack
The name Union Jack comes from the flag's use at sea. It was generally flown from the bow of the ship at the jack staff.
The Welsh flag has never been included in the Union flag as Wales had already joined with England before 1606 under the flag of St. George. However, the Welsh flag, a red dragon on a green and white background, is commonly flown in Wales.
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the flag used in the Union Jack to represent Northern Ireland is a diagonal red cross on a white background. But St. Patrick and St. Patrick's day have always been associated with the color green, so where did this flag come from? It has been suggested that it was taken from the arms of the premier duke of Ireland, the Duke of Leinster, but there is little contemporary evidence to support this.
Forming of Union Jack
In 1603, the King of Scotland, James VI, became King of England and Scotland on the death of Queen Elizabeth. Thus the crowns were united and variations combining the two flags were tried out. But it was not until 1801 when St. Patrick's flag was added that the present day Union Jack was created. At that time, the whole of Ireland was united and remained part of the United Kingdom until 1921 when the southern part gained independence.
Facts about Union Jack
The name Union Jack comes from the flag's use at sea. It was generally flown from the bow of the ship at the jack staff.
The Welsh flag has never been included in the Union flag as Wales had already joined with England before 1606 under the flag of St. George. However, the Welsh flag, a red dragon on a green and white background, is commonly flown in Wales.
