Rectangular,
multi- or unicolour, stripped or with some characteristic patterns,
always majestically flapping in the air… National flags… They
are the heroes of today’s post. Every country has such an
“identification mark” that represents it and its citizens. But
this seemingly simple and prosaic object that you may come across at
the celebrations of some national holidays is not just a piece of
cloth attached to a pole at one edge. This symbol, regardless of the
complexity of its design, reminds us about certain historically
important events and usually carries an incredible story as regards
its evolution. British and American flags are not exceptions to the
rule. Let’s find out what stories are hidden behind those colours!
The
present day flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North
Ireland is known as the “Union Jack” or “Union Flag”. Its
current design was agreed in 1801, as the result of the union of
Great Britain and Ireland. However, before adopting the final version, the British
flag had undergone several changes. Let's have a look at them!
Until
the early 17th
century, England, Scotland and Ireland were different countries and
had their own flags:
- England’s flag was a red cross on the white background, known as “St. George’s Cross”
- Scotland’s flag was a white, diagonal cross (or X shape) on a blue background, known as “St. Andrew’s Cross”
- Ireland’s flag was a red X-shaped cross on a white background, known as “St. Patrick’s Cross”.
In 1603, on her
deathbed, the childless Queen Elizabeth I decided that her cousin,
King James VI of Scotland would succeed her. As the two countries
became unified under the same king, their flags were also combined.
The result of the St. George’s Cross and St. Andrew’s Cross union
looked like this:
Even though that new
flag resembled much the one we know today, do not mistake it with the
present day “Union Jack”! It was not the end of changes, though. In
1800, King George III signed the Act of Union with Ireland, and the
flag needed to be redesigned again. Therefore, in 1801 St. Patrick’s
Cross was added to the King James’ flag, and in this form the British
flag has been functioning to this very day.
Here is the graphic representation of the whole process of the British flag evolution presented once again:
You may be wondering
why the Welsh flag was not included into the design of the “Union
Flag”. Well, the answer is as simple as this: at that time Wales
was a part of the Kingdom of England and as such was officially
represented by the St. George’s Cross.
The Flag of Wales we know
today, which presents a red dragon on the green and white background,
was recognized as the Welsh national flag only in 1959.
Why the name "Union Jack"?
There are many
theories that seem to explain how the British flag has acquired its
name. One of the stories goes that around the 17th
century “the Jack” was simply a name for a small flag mounted on
the front of a warship.
Later
on, the term "Union Jack" appeared, and it was used only when
referring to the flag mounted on a warship that had left harbour.
“Union Flag”, in turn, was a name for the British flag on the
land. Fortunatelly, by the early 19th
century people decided not to bother themselves with this
categorization and the naming rule was abandoned.
USEFUL
TIP!!!
Always
remember to fly the British flag in the correct way!
The upside-down
“Union Jack” is the sign of distress or an act of insulting the Crown.
How
to check whether the flag is in the right position?
The red line in
the top-left corner must be at the bottom of the white cross!!!
The history of the American flag is going to be presented in the next post.
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