Which flag is the most recognizable in the world? The correct answer is the flag of Great Britain. This was widely facilitated by popular culture: rock bands and pop artists used the flag design at concerts and on album covers as a logo. The image of Union Jack is found as a print on clothes, stuffed with tattoo artists and even used in makeup!
By the way, why Union Jack? Literally from English - Union flag or Union guys,which is more accurate. The Guys flag is a flag located in the bow of a ship, which is how the flag of the United Kingdom was originally used.
Over the course of history, the pattern of the flag has changed many times. To date, the image unites three flags:
- Flag of England - Cross of St. George
- Flag of Scotland – Cross of St Andrew
- The flag of Ireland is st. Patrick's Cross.
Superimposed on each other flags and form the flag of Great Britain - the national symbol of the United Kingdom. This image was approved on January 1, 1801.
The prototype of the flag with superimposed crosses appeared when the Scottish king James VI became the heir to the English throne in 1606, becoming James I. The new symbol of the state was used only on military and merchant ships, hence the name "Union Jack". On earth, England and Scotland used their banners.
After the abolition of the English monarchy, England became a republic, subduing Ireland. The new flag consisted of two images placed side by side on one canvas: a red cross on a white background - the banner of England and a golden harp on a blue background - the banner of Ireland.
As a result of the Civil War in 1651, Scotland again became part of Great Britain, but since the former flag was a symbol of the fallen monarchy, its use was banned until 1660. After the restoration of the monarchy, Union Jack returned to his place, and the Irish harp was removed from the flag.
In 1801 the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was created. To the existing image on the flag is added the Cross of St. Patrick - one of the symbols of Ireland along with the golden harp. Thus was born the Union Jack we know today.
Periodically there is talk about the injustice of the absence on the flag of the image of the red dragon - the symbol of Wales, as well as discussions are underway on what the flag will look like in the event of Scotland's secession from the UK.
