The Union Jack: The Story of the British Flag - Essay Example

Union Jack - the British Flag The Union Flag is the official flag of the country United Kingdom. The Union Flag is very much popularly known as UnionJack and carries with it official as well as semi-official status along with it in certain other Commonwealth areas. It is to be noted that the flag is one of the most popular one just because of its significance in certain other countries as well and it is named in a reputable way in other Commonwealth countries. The design and look of the flag reflects the ancient ways of the Union of Great Britain and the design is very much influenced by the older Great Britain and Ireland way back from 1801. It is to be noted that unlike other country flags world over, The Union Flag popularly and fondly known as Union Jack enjoys a special status in certain other parts of the world as well. For instance, in Canada, the Union Flag is fondly called with respect as Royal Union Flag. There are some minor British overseas territories that carry it as the official flag as well. If looked more deeply, it could be found that the Union Jack bears reverence even in former British colonies as it could be witnessed the Union Jack appears in the Canton of other country flags, especially in the former colonies of Britain. This is done as a mark of respect to the country as well as the flag. The look and designing of the flag is done keeping in mind several crucial factors. The flag comprises of the red cross of the Saint George who is the patron saint of Britain. This cross is superimposed on the cross of Saint Patrick who is a patron saint of Ireland. These two are superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew who is a patron of saint Scotland. The flag definitely reflects the religious belief of the country and reflects how much it values its religion and the saints who carried the cross with them. It is a well known fact that the flag is both used as a naval ensign as well as National flag. A sort of debate is going on whether to call the flag Union Flag or that of Union Jack. The term Jack is used for the flag earlier to 1600 and it is mostly used to represent maritime bow flag at that point of time and later it turned out to be called Union Jack officially as well. It is clear that the term Union Jack has been used earlier to 1600 and it very much carries its significance even now. It needs to be understood that the term Union Jack is most popular world over whereas the term Union Flag is less known outside Britain. This is mainly because of the fact that it is quite common and has been in usage for several years together. It can be understood that the term Union was first used in the year 1625.1 It can also be noted that the term Union Flag has been used in King Charles’s Proclamation on the year 1634 and the term Jack has been in existence even before that. It could be very well understood that both of the names for flag, Union Flag and Union Jack has been in existence and carries equal historical significance, though Union Jack is the most widely called name. There is yet another reason why it is called Union Jack. The British Navy is so wide and is known for its extensive range and hence the term Jack could have arrived from the regular use of the Jack Staff, a flag pole attached to the ship bow in the British ships. The Union Flag is called as Union Jack when found in the Jack of the ship.2 Though there are different reasons and predictions as to how the name would have arrived, Union Jack remains the most popular term used all over. The is evident from the fact that even after three centuries the name stands firm and has turned out to be the most popular way referring the flag. It has also achieved official status not only inside the country Britain but in other Commonwealth countries. The proportion of the Union Flag is 1:2 and in case of war flag, it is 3:5 which particularly refers the ships. The present flag of the country Britain is adopted from the year 1801. The current and the second such Union Flag came into use from the year 1801. The flag came into form through the Act of Union 1800. It is to be noted that the Kingdom of Ireland and Kingdom of Great Britain merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The cross of Saint Patrick, which was of Ireland’s, was included in the flag. A major change for the flag was made only during this point of time and it stands out the same way till the present. It is to be noted that there are several campaign conducted in order to change the flag by introducing black stripes in it to remove the racial intention of the flag. This particular stance was rejected and denounced as not being racist in any way and the flag will remain as it is for centuries now. There are also contentions for bringing the Welsh identification in the Union Flag as proposed in the year 2007 by Ian Lucas. Welsh element was not included in the flag earlier itself because Wales was part of Greater Britain before 1600. The civilians of Britain take great pride over their flag and it brings with it a wider meaning and reaches all over. Many people outside Britain know the flag of the country to be Union Jack rather than Union Flag and this shows the popularity of the term. Though the term Jack has been used as a diminutive reference, it has over the years turned out to be the most liked and called name of the flag. Union Flag, is however the term, used inside the country and when referred outside it may refer to flags of other countries as well. The forms of the flag have been ever changing and have come over several modifications in the form of inclusions, exclusions, design change and lot more. It has survived through all this and still stands out with majestic look and bearing. The importance and the reach of the flag is such that the countries that were former colonies of the Britain still holds the countries representation in their flag as well. The flag of Britain get their due respect in countries outside Britain, and includes Commonwealth countries as part of it as well. In order to protect the respect and dignity that the flag holds, the Flag code was introduced to keep things moving in the right direction.2 It is quite interesting to the note that the same Union Flag is names differently in other countries and are called with other names. In Canada, it is known as Royal Union Flag and in Hong Kong the flag is fondly called as Rice Character Flag, this is a form of nickname and came about as the design resembles Chinese character ‘rice’. The Irish people call the flag, Butcher’s Apron which is used to demean the country. It is called this way by the locals to point out the atrocities carried on by the country in Ireland and other such countries that were under the British control as colonies. The flag symbol is used widely connoting the language, English and to let people know that it refers the language. The Union Flag has found its place in the entertainment space as well and several artists have made use of the flag in their albums and entertaining pieces of work. The Union Flag finds its place in some of the historical and significant places in Canada, Scotland, Vancouver and London. It is to be noted that the flag brings together all the areas of United Kingdom under one roof and displays the loyalty and nationalistic feeling of the individuals in a big way. 3 The flag has contributed towards keeping the Commonwealth nations together and has been receiving respect from all corners. It definitely stands out as the representation of the countries in the United Kingdom. In countries like Canada and Australia, the Union Flag has been used for quite a long time now. A Bill was passed in order to make Union Flag official and also the adding legal and official significance to the term Union Jack. On the whole, it could be very well understood that be it Union Flag or Union Jack, the Britain flag definitely a value addition to the country. Everything right from the name to the designing is done with greater level of thoughtfulness. The Union Jack, as it is fondly called as, definitely stands out as a unifying factor and instils the sense of nationality amongst the countries in the United Kingdom. Read More