Union Flags

Union Flags

• The Union of the individual countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is known as the United Kingdom

• The Union flag is described as a blue field with the red cross of Saint George (St George is the patron saint of England) edged in white

• It also consists of the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland)

• The flag is then superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland)

• The correct name for the flag is the the Union Flag, but it is commonly referred to as the Union Jack

• The Union Flag, particularly the Blue Ensign is the basis for a number of other flags including many Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces as well as British overseas territories

Union Flags - Pictures
The image below shows the individual flags which make up the Union Flag. The image on the left is the St George's Cross representing England. The image in the centre is the red cross of St Patrick and symbolises Ireland. The image on the right is the cross of St Andrew and represents Scotland.

Union Flags - Color Symbolism
The individual colors that make up the union flag represent the following:

• White - Peace and honesty

• Red - Hardiness, Bravery, Strength & Valour

• Blue - Vigilance, Truth and Loyalty, Perseverance & Justice

Union Flags - United Kingdom Country Information

• Total area of 243,610 sq km

• Land: 241,930 sq km

• Water: 1,680 sq km

• National anthem: "God Save the Queen"

• Currency: £ British Pound

• Natural Resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land

• Military Branches: Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force

National symbols - United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each individual country has its own national symbol:

• Lion (England)

• Lion and Unicorn (Scotland)

• Dragon (Wales)

• Harp (Northern Ireland)

Union Flags - Meaning
The study of flags is called Vexillology and comes from the Latin word vexillum ("flag") and the Greek suffix -logy ("study"). The word "flag" is derived from the old Saxon word "fflaken" which means to fly or to float in the air. The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield. Shields were painted with emblems or symbols to identify friend or enemy. Warriors needed to know where their leaders were hence the custom of carrying a pole was adopted and subsequently the idea of flags began! Flags and banners were even mentioned in the bible, the following quote is from the bible book entitled Song of Solomons, (6:10):  "Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners."

Union Flags- History

• The first 'Union Flag' was created by combining the red cross of St. George of England and the saltire of St. Andrew of Scotland

• Wales was conquered by Edward I of England (1239 - 1307). It then became incorporated into England under the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284. Wales was therefore considered part of the kingdom of England and so the Welsh flag never became part of the Union Flag

• Union Flags were originally royal flags rather than national flags

• Union flags were only intended for use at sea by the military vessels of England and Scotland to show common allegiance by the two countries to their monarch

• "Ensign" is a term used to describe flags that are flown by ships as symbols of nationality

• In 1649 King Charles I was executed and the monarchy was dissolved

• In 1649 Oliver Cromwell decreed that the use of Union Flags was discontinued because it’s purpose was to show allegiance to a crown which no longer existed

• In 1660 the monarchy was restored and Union flags were used specifically in the king's ships

• In 1707, England and Scotland were officially united in the Act of Union and the flag became "the ensign armorial of the United Kingdom"

• On January 1, 1801 the Act of Union with Ireland was passed and the red saltire cross, attributed to St. Patrick, was added to all union flags representing Ireland

• The Union Jack has never been made an official civil flag by any legal process

• Union flags have become the British National Flag through usage, custom & practice

• In 1908 it was stated in Parliament that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag"

• In 1933 the Home Secretary stated “... the Union Flag is the national flag and may properly be flown by any British subject on land”
   

Union Flags - Definition
A flag is defined as a symbol or emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design. Flags are also often used as a signalling device and method of communication. Government buildings are often decorated with flags. A cloth usually bearing a device or devices and used to indicate nationality, party, etc, or to give or ask information; commonly attached to a staff to be waved by the wind; a standard; a banner; an ensign; the colors; as, the national flag; a military or a naval flag.

Union Flags - Facts All Flag pictures show flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right The Study of the Flags is known as Vexillology The upper left quarter of the flag is known as the Canton A Flag share is the flag officer's share of prize money People with an interest in flags are called Vexillologists The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed

The shape and flag ratio of Union Flags is 1:2 (the length is twice the height) To dip the flag is the process of lowering and quickly restore it to its place is often done as a mark of respect The idea of flying a flag came from the requirements of ancient warfare in the battlefield When presenting a nations flag, the United Nations uses alphabetical order, this includes the Union Flags of the United Kingdom. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag Union Flags should never be allowed to drag along the ground Tattered or faded Union Flags should be removed and replaced with a new Union Flags Union Flags should always be flown the correct way up, it is vital that due care and consideration is taken to ensure this

Displaying the Union Flags- Did you know?

• The act or function of raising Union Flags, as on a rope is referred to as hoisting

• To denote grief and mourning, Union Flags are hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole, this is called flying the flag at Half Staff or Half Mast and is carried out by firstly raising the Union Flags to the top, then lowering the Union Flags halfway

• To show distress Union Flags are flown upside-down

• Always hoist Union Flags briskly and lower Union Flags ceremoniously

• No disrespect should be shown to the Union Flags

• Union Flags should never be displayed, used, fastened or kept in such a way as to allow the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way

• Union Flags should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature

• To strike, or lower Union Flags is the process of hauling it down. It is a token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of surrender

• To hang out a white flag is a method of asking for a truce or quarter, or, in some cases, to manifest a friendly design by exhibiting a white flag

Dream Definition - Union Flags
Seeing your national flag in your dream means peace and/or prosperity. Seeing a flag of a foreign nation indicates a breach of trust between friends.

Union Flags - Color Symbolism
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions there is a vast amount of symbolism associated with the color of a nation or union flags. The full development of heraldry in about 1200AD also brought sophisticated design of flags, some of which includes a Coat of Arms.

• A Yellow flag is the quarantine flag of all nations; also carried at a vessel's fore, to denote that an infectious
  disease is on board

• White flag - A white flag is a sign of truce and is carried or displayed to an enemy, as an invitation to conference, or for the purpose of making some communication not hostile

• National flag - A flag of a particular country, on which some national emblem or device, is emblazoned

• Red flag - A red flag is displayed as a signal of danger or token of defiance; the emblem of anarchists

Union Flags