This Week In Vexillology #47

I've been putting this off for far too long but randomly, I'm going to return to the Motherland so buckle up, pour yourself a nice cup of tea because this week in vexillology, we're heading over to the United Kingdom!

First of all let's correct a common mistake:  if you happen to be flying this flag on the ocean then it's the Union Jack.  On land, its known as the Union Flag.   And here's the other interesting thing:  technically, the Union Flag remains a royal flag, so the right of British subjects to fly it on land must be granted by royal permission.  But I'm not sure how much attention is paid to that particular rule anymore.

The current form of the flag was adopted n January 1st, 1801 for national and civil usage.  The central red cross fimbriated with white was adapted from St. George's Cross, taken from the flag of England.  The white saltire on a blue field was taken from St. Andrew's Cross, which is the flag of Scotland.   The saltire of St. Patrick (which is the red diagonal cross) is counter-changed on the white saltire of St. Andrew represents Ireland- in this case, the Northern Ireland.

Basically, when King James of Scotland became King of England as well in 1603, both countries retained their own flags and even today, St. George's Cross and St. Andrew's Cross are flown in their respective countries.   But in 1606, King James wanted a new flag for the new union of the two countries and so they combined them and made the Union Flag.   In 1801, Ireland joined the United Kingdom and St. Patrick's Cross was added to the flag.  (And that represented all of Ireland until 1921, when the south broke away to form first the Irish Free State and then the Republic of Ireland.)

So there you have it- put your hands together for the United Kingdom!  And remember until next time, keep your flags flying- FREAK or otherwise!