The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the British Flag.
It is called the Union Flag because it symbolises the administrative union of the countries of the United Kingdom. It is made up of the individual Flags of three of the Kingdom's countries all united under one Sovereign - the countries of 'England, of 'Scotland' and of 'Northern Ireland' (since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom). As Wales was not a Kingdom but a Principality it could not be included on the flag.The Union Flag’s History
The formation of the Union Flag came about as the result of the progressive merging of the inhabitants of the British Isles under one throne.
1603 - King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne and became King James I of England.
1606 - the National Flags of Scotland and England were united for use at sea, thus making the first Union Flag.
1707 - During the reign of Queen Anne, the first Union Flag was by royal proclamationmade the National flag of Great Britain, for use ashore and afloat.
1801 - Ireland was united with Great Britain and the present Union Flag was formed.
The Union Flag consists of the three heraldic crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick. The flags of the Patron Saints of England, Scotland and Ireland are represented on the Union Flag. But, why is Wales not represented on the Union Flag? The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England from the 13th century. This meant that Wales a Principality instead of a Kingdom and as such could not be included.
In 1536, under Henry VIII, the Act of Union joined England and Wales officially. What would the Union Flag look like if Wales was represented?
In November 2007, a Welsh MP, Ian Lucas, asked parliament why Wales is not represented in the Union Jack. We already know the answer, but if Wales was represented, what would the flag look like? Below you can see Ian Lucas' version of the Union flag with Wales represented:
The Future of the UK's Flag
At the moment, the countries representing the UK, are still united under one flag. How long this will be so, no one knows. Even now, each of the countries which form the United Kingdom, is fighting for its own independence. For the first time since 1707, the Scots now have their own Parliament in Edinburgh, and the Welsh their own national assembly in Cardiff. As a result, the Scottish saltire and the red dragon of Wales are much more in evidence.
Is the Union Flag on its way out?
In 2003, a campaign was launched to try and modernise the red, white and blue flag by adding a touch of black to reflect multicultural Britain in the 21st Century. The proposed new flag (see right) was the work of Nigel Turner, an enthusiastic fan of the UK's transformation into a multiracial society over the past 50 years. The campaign was NOT successful.
