The Flag of England 1

The Flag of England -1

Description of the English Flag

• As the above picture of the English Flag indicates the overall background is white
• The description of the English Flag is as follows:
• White with a centred red cross that extends to the edges of the flag
• According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the English flag represent the following:
• White - peace and honesty
• Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour

Canton - Flag Terminology

• Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
• The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
• Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
• The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology

The Real St. George

• George run the family estate in Palestine and was born of noble, Christian parents and was a Roman Soldier
• He held the rank of a Roman Tribune. A Tribune was a Roman magistrate whose task it was to protect the people against oppression
• The Emperor was Diocletian (245-313) who was a great persecutor of Christians
• George complained personally to the Emperor about the harsh treatment and persecution of the Christians
• Emperor Diocletian threw George into prison where he was tortured, but he refused to recant his Christian faith
• He was sentenced to death, dragged through the streets and beheaded
• He was martyred at Lydda in Palestine (Nicomedia) and became a cult figure for Christians
• St. George became England's patron saint in the 14th century

The Legend of St. George and the Dragon

• St George was venerated as a soldier saint
• Many legends surrounded the honour and bravery of St. George - the most famous was the legend of St. George and the Dragon
• According to legend a dragon was terrorising a Pagan land. The dragon was at first pacified by being fed sheep but then demanded human sacrifice including a beautiful princess
• The brave St. George rode into the land and, single-handed, slaughtered the dragon

St. George the Saint of Battles

• St George became the Saint of Battles and his symbol, the red cross on the white field, was closely associated with the Crusaders and King Richard the Lionheart
• The Crusaders were Christian Knights who went on Crusades to free Jerusalem from the Infidels
• The Knights wore chain mail armor which was covered by a surcoat. This livery was a white tabard, or tunic, emblazoned by the red cross of St. George.

Flag History ; Evolution:

• The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
• Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
• Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
• An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
• The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms  were born
• These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
• 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 strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a new flag

English Flag Etiquette

• English Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
• Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including English as follows:
• Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
• National Flag of English
• State Flag of English
• Military Flag of English (in order of creation date) 

Other Flag of English

• The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the English Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
• The National flag of English should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
• The English flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
• A tattered or faded flag of English should be removed and replaced with a new flag
• Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the English flag is always flown the correct way up
• A Flag of English, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect

Terminology; Etiquette in English Flag display

• Hoist - the act or function of raising the English flag, as on a rope
• Half Staff or Half Mast - the English flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
• Performed by first raising the English flag to the top, then lowering the English Flag halfway
• Manner of hoisting - The English flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
• No disrespect should be shown to the English flag
• The English flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
• The English flag 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
• The English flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
• International Flag relating to English Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
• We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding English Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.

THE HISTORY AND MEANING OF THE UNION JACK OR UNION FLAG

THE HISTORY AND MEANING
OF THE UNION JACK OR UNION FLAG


The British Flag: a Symbol of Unity

The Union Jack is a transnational flag full of historical significance. It represents the union of different countries and the growth of a family of nations whose influence extends far beyond the British Isles. This far-reaching influence is still seen today in the incorporation of the Union Jack in other national flags such as that of Australia. The British flag is called the "Union Jack", an expression that needs to be explained.

The Union Jack is a fine expression of unity as well as diversity. The British flag incorporates the national symbols of three distinct countries, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In fact its name "Union Jack" emphasises the very nature of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a union of nations. The flag is also known by another name, this too, emphasising the idea of union: the "Union flag", perhaps a less common term but a little more precise. The countries comprising the British Isles are not inward-looking or isolated states with an insular mentality; together they constitute a powerful union that has spanned centuries. Recent devolution that gave Scotland its own Parliament and Wales its own Assembly has also emphasised the importance of individual national identities within the union without affecting the essential unity of Great Britain. On the contrary, it has strengthened it. Recognition of, and respect for national identities are an essential ingredients for effective union. The Union Jack symbolises all this: respect for individuality within a closely knit community.

The "Union Jack" or "Union Flag" is a composite design made up of three different national symbols:

St. George's Cross,

the flag of England St. Andrew's Cross,
the flag of Scotland

St. Patrick's Cross,
the flag of Ireland
The cross represented in each flag is named after the patron saint of each country: St. George, patron saint of England, St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland and St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.

The image below renders the idea of the union of the three flags forming one unified, transnational Flag.

No mention has been made of the Welsh flag. The Welsh dragon was not incorporated into the Union Flag because Wales had already been united to England when the first version of the Union Flag was designed in 1606. It is, however, in common use:

The Welsh Dragon


THE HISTORY OF THE UNION JACK

The first step taken in the creation of the flag of Great Britain was on 12th April 1606. When King James VI of Scotland became king of England (King James I) it was decided that the union of the two realms under one king should be represented symbolically by a new flag. Originally It consisted in the red cross of England superimposed on the white cross of Scotland on the blue background of the Scottish flag as in this illustration:

Thus we have the first flag of the union called, in fact, the "Union Flag".

What was meant to be a symbol of unity actually became a symbol of international controversy. The English resented the fact that the white background of their cross had disappeared and that the new flag had the blue Scottish background. On the other hand the Scottish resented the fact that the English red cross was superimposed on the Scottish white cross!! The old adage says you cannot please everyone but this first version of the Union Flag seemed to please no-one!!

Apparently there was an unofficial "Scottish version" that attempted to rectify the sense of injustice that the Scottish felt at this innovatory flag. A distinct reference was made to this version when the King visited Dumfries in 1618. Here is what it looked like:

The controversy was destined to last!! There is conflict in the best of families!!

However, the flag was usually restricted to use at sea until the two kingdoms of Scotland and England were united in 1707. It was most probably from this use at sea that it got the name "Jack" ("Union Jack"). It was usually flown at the bow end of the ship, from the jack staff.

An attempt was made to modify the flag under Oliver Cromwell. A harp was placed in the centre, representing Ireland. However, the original design was restored along with the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

The flag continued to be used in its original form until Jan. 1, 1801. At that time, with the union of Ireland and Great Britain, it became necessary to represent Ireland in the Union Flag and so the cross of St. Patrick was include thus creating the flag as we now have it. When the southern part of Ireland gained its independence in 1921 and became the Irish Free State no alteration was made to the Union Jack.

The name "Union Jack" became official when it was approved in Parliament in 1908. It was stated that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag".