|
 As the above picture of
the United Kingdom (UK) Flag indicates the
colors of the United Kingdom (UK) Flag, or Union
Jack, are red, white and blue - the actual
background, or field, is blue
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions
much symbolism is associated with colors. The
colors on the United Kingdom (UK) Flag represent
the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty,
perseverance & justice
All
Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the
viewer's point of view, from left to right
The
shape and flag ratio of the United Kingdom (UK)
Flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the
height )
The
United Kingdom flag pictures the crosses of the
Patron Saints of England, Scotland and Ireland
on a blue field as follows:
The red cross of Saint George, the patron
saint of England, edged in white
Superimposed on the diagonal red cross of
Saint Patrick the patron saint of Ireland
Superimposed on the diagonal white cross of
Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland
To
fly the United Kingdom flag the correct way up,
the broad white band of St. Andrew should be
above the red band of St. Patrick in the
upper-hoist canton
The
Meaning & History of the the Union Jack, or
given its correct title the Union Flag, is the
national flag of the United Kingdom. The name
"Union Jack"
derives from its early use as a
'jack' which is the small flag flown at the bow
of a ship |
United Kingdom (UK) Flag Etiquette.
United Kingdom (UK) 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 United Kingdom (UK) as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence
for the flag
National Flag of United Kingdom (UK)
State Flag of United Kingdom (UK)
Military Flag of United Kingdom (UK) (in
order of creation date)
Other Flag of United Kingdom (UK)
The
United Nations uses alphabetical order when
presenting a national flag including the United
Kingdom (UK) Flag.
Their flag etiquette ensures
that no one country's flag has precedence over
another country's flag
The
National flag of United Kingdom (UK) 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
United Kingdom (UK) flag should never be allowed
to drag along the ground
A
tattered or faded flag of United Kingdom (UK)
should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due
care and consideration must be taken to ensure
that the United Kingdom (UK) flag is always
flown the correct way up
A Flag
of United Kingdom (UK), 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 United Kingdom (UK) Flag
display
|
|
Land Size of United Kingdom (UK) : 244,820 sq km
Climate / Weather of United Kingdom (UK) :
temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest
winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than
one-half of the days are overcast
Population of United Kingdom (UK) : 60,270,708
(July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : N/A
Capital City of United Kingdom (UK) : London
GDP
of United Kingdom (UK) : $1.664 trillion (2003
est.)
Main Industries : machine tools, electric power
equipment, automation equipment, railroad
equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor
vehicles and parts, electronics and
communications equipment, metals, chemicals,
coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food
processing, textiles, clothing, and other
consumer goods
Currency of United Kingdom (UK) : British pound
(GBP)
Agricultural products : cereals, oilseed,
potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry;
fish
Main Colors of United Kingdom (UK) Flag : Red,
white and blue
|
Concise History of United Kingdom and the UK Flag
(Union Jack)
Queen Elizabeth I named the son of Mary Queen of
Scots (her cousin) as her successor
James VI of Scotland therefore also became James
I of England and on April 12, 1606
The
first 'Union Flag' was created by combining the
red cross of St. George of England and the
saltire of St. Andrew of Scotland
Wales had been conquered by Edward I of England
(1239 - 1307) and became incorporated into
England under the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284.
Wales was therefore considered part of the
kingdom of England and the Welsh flag never
became part of the Union Flag
The
Union Flag was originally a royal flag rather
than a national flag
The
new Union flag was only for use at sea by the
military vessels of England and Scotland to show
common allegiance in the two countries to the
monarch
The
term "ensign" is a flag that is flown (as by a
ship) as the symbol of nationality
In
1649 - the execution of King Charles I and
dissolution of the monarchy
1649 - Oliver Cromwell decreed that the use of
the Union Flag was discontinued because it’s
purpose was to show allegiance to a crown which
no longer existed
In
1660 the monarchy was restored and the Union
flag was used specifically in the king's ships
1707 - England and Scotland were officially
united in the Act of Union and the flag became
"the ensign armorial of the United Kingdom"
January 1, 1801 - Act of Union with Ireland -
The red saltire cross, attributed to St.
Patrick, was added to represent Ireland
The
Union Jack has never been made an official civil
flag by any legal process
It
has become the British National Flag through
usage, custom & practice
In
1908 it was stated in Parliament that "the
Union Jack should be regarded as the National
flag"
In
1933 the Home Secretary stated “... the Union
Flag is the national flag and may properly be
flown by any British subject on land”
|
|
