Last Updated on September 21, 2021
The national flag of the United Kingdom is the Union Jack, also known as the Union Flag. The flag consists of the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England), edged in white, superimposed on the saltire of St Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), also edged in white, which are superimposed on the saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland). The flag’s standard height-to-length proportions are 1:2. The war flag variant used by the British Army has proportions 3:5.
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Brief History of the Flag of the United Kingdom
During the 16th century, the original flag flown in Scotland featured Saint Andrew’s cross. Around the same time period, England and Wales flew a flag featuring St. George’s Cross. In Ireland, the cross of Saint Patrick adorned the flag. In the early 1700s, the flag of Great Britain combined St. George’s Cross superimposed on the Cross of St. Andrews. The current design incorporated St. Patrick’s Cross, and this design was first adopted in 1801. The same design remains in use today.
Meaning Behind the Colours of the Flag of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom’s flag is one of the most recognized in the world. The flag is also known as the Union Flag or the Union Jack. The flag’s design is quite interesting, as is the story behind the design. The flag is made up of several different elements. Breaking it down, the flag of the United Kingdom. The cross of Saint George, the patron saint of England, is superimposed on the cross of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. These are superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew, who was the patron saint of Scotland.
The colors of the flag of the United Kingdom are red, white and blue. These colors are based upon the Saltires and crosses of the patron saints of England, Ireland and Scotland.