United Kingdom (UK) Flag

UNION JACK/English/England

Adopted in 1801

This is one of the most recognizable flags in the world and has been set on every continent and ocean on Earth. The flags represents the make up of the country it represents. The Union Jack is actually made up of three simpler flags overlaid on each other representing separately the major geo-political regions of the United Kingdom.

The first flag incorporated into the current flag design is the Cross of Saint Andrew (also called the Saltire). Saint Andrew is the patron Saint of Scotland. This flag has a white cross and blue background.

The diagonal red crossed section on the Union Jack is the Cross of St. Patrick, generally regarded as belonging to the powerful Geraldine family of Ireland.

Finally there is the Cross of Saint George, a martyred crusader who supposedly was a slayer of Dragons. This makes up the bold red cross of the current Union Jack.