The United Kingdom
The Union Jack
the flag of UK
The flag of UK is called Union Jack.
The Union Jack includes three different flags with three different crosses:
The cross of St. George, the patron saint of England; the cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland; the cross of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
The flag of Wales is green and white with a red dragon in the centre. It's the emblem of St. David, the patron saint of Wales. It isn't included in Union Jack because Wales was already united to England when the first Union Jack was design in 1606.
The flag was called "Union" to symbolize the union of the Kingdom, but the historian do not agree on the origin of name "Jack".
Some say it's the nickname of King James I who, in 1603, united England and Scotland; others say it's called "Jack" like "jack staff" the tall pole of the naval ship where flags wave.
The Union Jack is the most important of all British symbols, and it is flown by representatives of the United Kingdom all over the world.
Image Gallery
St. George 's cross
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St. George, the patron saint ofEngland
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St. Andrew's cross
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St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland
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St Patrick's cross
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St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland
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Flag of Wales
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St. David, the patron saint of Wales
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Historical Path about The Union Jack