Existing customer login:
Forgotten your password?
 Quick Search:
Latest News

The Union Flag, or Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom and it is so called because it embodies the emblems of the three countries united under one Sovereign - the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland (although since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom).
 
 
There is a forgotten, nay almost forbidden word, which means more to me than any other.
That word is
ENGLAND."   -   Sir Winston Churchill 
 
 

 Union Jack Flag

 

The Union Jack Flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom. The Union Jack Flag represents emblems of three countries under a single Sovereign. The three countries are England and Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. However, since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of United Kingdom.

 

Description of the Flag

 

The Union Jack Flag presents a combination of three different national symbols. St. Andrew�s cross represents the Scotland flag, St. Patrick's cross represents the Ireland flag, and St. George's cross represents the England flag. St. Patrick, St. George, and St. Andrew are the patron saints of their respective countries.

 

The cross of St George is a red cross on a white ground. The cross of St Andrew is a diagonal white cross on a blue ground. The cross of St Patrick is a diagonal red cross on a white ground. After the Act of Union of Ireland with England, Wales, and Scotland on 1 January 1801, the cross of St Patrick combined with that of the previous Union Flag.

 

Location of the Flag

 

The Union Jack Flag flies over the Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Sandringham when The Queen is not at the palace. The decision to fly the Flag atop public buildings is by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport although only at The Queen's command.

 

On special days like Commonwealth Day, The Queen's official birthday, birthdays of members of the Royal family, State Opening and prorogation of Parliament, Remembrance Day, Coronation Day, St George's Day, St David's Day, St Patrick's Day, St Andrew's Day, the Flag is atop government buildings too. In the event of a Royal death, the Union Jack Flag is at half-mast.

 

Unity in Diversity

 

The Union Jack Flag represents a union of unity in diversity. This transnational flag has huge historical significance and extensive influence too. Presently, the national flag of Australia also contains the flag of England within it.

 

The Union Jack Flag is a clear depiction of the union of the countries represented on it. In other words, this union represents importance of individuality within a closely formed group.

 

 

2. British Flag

 

 

The Union Flag, first introduced in 1606, was popular as the British Flag. At that time, the British Flag was also popular as the flag of Britain. This name remained for around a century. Around 1707, The Royal Navy changed the name of this flag to �The Union�. At this time, another country also came within the fold of Britain.

 

The British Flag is atop government buildings only on special days like Commonwealth Day, The Queen's official birthday, Coronation Day, Remembrance Day, birthdays of members of the Royal family, and days of State Opening and prorogation of Parliament.

 

Dimensions of the British Flag

 

The British Flag has a width equal to twice its height. It has the crosses of St. Patrick, St. George, and St. Andrew. This flag is unsymmetrical as St. Patrick�s flag is not at the center. While hoisting the flag, the broad diagonal white strip of the flag should be at the left-hand side top, nearest to the flagpole. The thick white band should be next to the flagpole on the hoist side.

 

This thick white band is a part of the cross of St Andrew. This is above the red band on both diagonals. This red band is part of the cross of St Patrick. As the cross of St. Andrew was already present on the British Flag at the time of including the cross of St. Patrick, it receives a higher position on the flag. On the fly side or the fluttering and free side, the Irish Flag is above the Scottish Flag. At half-mast, the height of the flag is halfway from the top of the pole.

 

Representation of Wales

 

The Welsh dragon is not present on the British Flag. This is because Wales was already with England at the time of creation of the Union Jack or the Flag of Britain. Wales has been with England since the thirteenth century. Hence, it was a part of the kingdom and not a separate kingdom. Henry VIII officially unified England and Wales in 1536.

 

History of the Union Jack Flag

 

The history of the Union Jack Flag dates from 1194 A.D. It is also popular as the British flag, Union Jack, and Union Jack Flag. You can understand the crosses and colours on the British Flag by peeping into the history of the Union Jack Flag

 

The Beginning

           

Richard I of England included the cross of St. George on the national flag of England in 1194 A.D. This was a red cross on a white ground. According to the history of the Union Jack Flag, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales were separate countries with individual identity. Henry VIII passed an Act of Union in 1536 making Wales a province of England.

 

King James VI of Scotland ascended the English throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, becoming King James 1 of England. This was just a Union of the Crowns and not a union of nations. Each country had their separate Parliaments.

 

As per the history of the Union Jack Flag, the flag of Great Britain came into existence on 12 April 1606. It was a symbolical representation of the union of two countries under a single king. The flag consisted of the red cross of England on top of the white cross of Scotland in the blue background of the Scottish flag. This now became the Union Jack.

 

According to the history of the Union Jack Flag, both English and Scottish did not like this version of their unified flag. The use of this flag was only at sea until unification of the two kingdoms, England and Scotland, in 1707. Oliver Cromwell tried modifying the flag by placing a harp at the center to represent Ireland. However, with reinstatement of monarchy in 1660, original design of the flag came into existence.

 

Union of Ireland and Great Britain

 

The same flag continued until Jan. 1, 1801. According to the history of the Union Jack Flag, annexation of Ireland into Great Britain brought a change in the Union Jack. It became imperative to include cross of St. Patrick in the flag. However, after the independence of southern Ireland in 1921, there was no change in the flag. Parliament approved the name, Union Jack, for the British Flag in 1908. It is since then regarded as the National flag.

 

United Kingdom of Great Britain's Flag

 

United Kingdom of Great Britain�s Flag is popular as The Union, Union Jack, or Union Jack Flag. The Act of Union in 1707 united England and Scotland and the flag became United Kingdom of Great Britain's Flag. Both these kingdoms were existing separately as two individual kingdoms since the ninth century.

 

History of the Flag

The present United Kingdom consists of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England. Wales came into the kingdom of England in 1284. From the ninth century until 1707, England and Scotland were separate countries. The Act of 1800 brought about unification of the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland. This formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain under United Kingdom of Great Britain�s Flag.

 

Between 1922 and 1927, southern Ireland gained independence. Only Northern Ireland remained under the realm of United Kingdom of Great Britain�s Flag. The eighteenth century was a very significant era of United Kingdom. It was the global maritime and industrial power. It played key roles in all spheres like politics, literature, science and technology, and arts too.

 

At this time, Britain was the most powerful. United Kingdom of Great Britain�s Flag was the flag of the largest empire on the earth. Britain excelled all other countries during this golden era of the eighteenth century. This superpower however soon lost a major chunk of its power to the United States. Trade and industrial production in the United States surpassed those of Britain. Slowly Britain started losing its power after the First World War.

 

The Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II crippled Great Britain. Canada and The United States helped the country limp back to normalcy with the help of loans. The seventies was a period of economic stagnation and the labour rule of the eighties helped Great Britain much of its normalcy.

 

Description of the Flag

United Kingdom of Great Britain�s Flag forms the basis for many other flags like the Commonwealth countries and their member states or provinces, and the overseas territories of Britain. The background is in blue with Red Cross of St. George with white edge superimposed on diagonal Red Cross of St. Patrick. This further superimposes on a diagonal white cross of St. Andrew.

 

Union Jack

 

 

Union Jack has been the flag of the former British Empire. Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Northern Ireland and Great Britain since 1801. In many Commonwealth regions, this flag still holds a semi-official status.

 

Usage of Union Jack

 

There is lot of controversy surrounding the usage of word Union Jack. Significance of the name of the flag is that it heralds unification of three countries under a single Sovereign. The three kingdoms are England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

 

Another important fact is that since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been a part of United Kingdom. Southern Ireland gained freedom then.

There are many theories surrounding the origin of the word �Jack� in Union Jack. Some attribute it to James I while some attribute it to the jacket (jack-et) of Scottish and English soldiers. As jack means small, some attribute significance of the name to proclamation of Charles II to fly the Union Flag only by Royal Navy ships as a jack or small flag at the bowsprit.

 

Significance of Union Jack   

 

The major significance of Union Jack goes beyond its historical significance. This is a transnational flag and symbolizes unification of different countries at different periods. The unification extends beyond the British Isles. Presently, you can see it in the Australian Flag too. 

 

The main essence of the unification is unity in diversity. Every country within the union is independent and individualistic in itself. Together Union Jack makes an important and powerful union. Scotland has its own Parliament while Wales has its own Assembly. These individual national identities form the core of the power of The Union. This explicitly describes unity in diversity.

 

Prominence of the Union Jack

 

Union Jack Flag constitutes crosses of patron saints of England, Scotland, and Ireland. There was no change to the flag even after the independence of southern Ireland. Parliament gave its approval for the name in 1908 and this made the name official. It was since then regarded as the National Flag too.

 

=====================

 

http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/wowlogo.jpg 
Union Jack Wear Wins Wow Award for outstanding customer service

Union Jack Wear Ltd have been nominated by David Lynch:

I placed an order for the 1st time & the process & feed back to the order was outstanding. Very high quality goods & fast efficient service indeed, because of this I placed a second order. I needed two waistcoats, black at the front & the St George cross at the back, made to measure within two weeks (very short notice)as my son & friend are playing pool for England at Bridlington, in the world pool championships on the 4th April, I found Graham very helpful indeed & very honest. I was told that the lady that made them was ill at the time & I was told that the order would be processed as soon as possible, but in his opinion it would still be possible. I was e-mailed very quickly & when I phoned to pay for the order, Graham again was very polite & helpful indeed & also apologetic for the lady's illness (which can't be helped).

The order was carried out within a few day's & too my amazement was delivered within 1 week (received yesterday 27/03/2006) well in time for the Bridlington World Pool Championships. This is a service, that I personally think should be noted within the company & I thought if I did this nomination & they did receive an award, the service that I have received would not go un-noticed, as you do not get service like this very often.

Also I would like to say a big thank-you to the lady who made the waistcoats, they were exceptional quality & very well made. They will be worn with pride.

Also I would like to say that I hope the lady feels better & thank her and Graham for their impeccable attention to my order. WOW Thanks!

 
Union Jack Day !!!
 
Chancellor backed in call for 'Britishness Day'

Gordon Brown has called on people in the UK to embrace their nationality and has suggested setting aside a day for celebrating all things British.

Speaking to the left-of-centre Fabian Society think tank in London, the Chancellor called for Labour supporters to "embrace the Union flag

Mr Brown said Britain did not have the patriotic symbols of America, such as the Fourth of July, and suggested Remembrance celebrations could become something similar.

"Perhaps Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday are the nearest we have come to a British Day - unifying, commemorative, dignified and an expression of British ideas of standing firm for the world in the name of liberty," he said.

Michael Wills, the Labour MP for North Swindon who advised the Chancellor on today's speech, suggested that Mr Brown would like to see the creation of a Britishness Day along the lines of Independence Day in America.

"The French have it with Bastille Day. The Americans have it. Most countries have a national day and I think it is probably time that we did too," he told the BBC.

The idea was welcomed by religious and cultural groups. Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said it would demonstrate the inclusive nature of British life.


  What does it mean to be British?
 
by ADRIAN MATHER 

 
WE all know what makes Britain Britain, don't we? Whether it's cultural aspects like Harry Potter and Premiership football or the criminal justice system and TV licensing, they are important parts of "being British" that everyone instinctively soaks up during the process of growing up in the British Isles.
At least that's what the Government thinks. Under its new proposals for tackling immigration, they have announced that anyone seeking British citizenship must first take a special test to prove their "Britishness".
 Based on the culture and practicalities of everyday life in the UK, the test will cost �34 - in addition to the �286 citizenship fee - and will contain 24 questions on anything from buying a beer to the running of parliament. And applicants will have to get 75 per cent of the test correct before being able to claim citizenship in the UK.
 The Home Office has also issued an accompanying 145-page book containing all the information applicants will need.
 
 
 
CALENDAR2008
 
 blog.london2012.com.
It;s just over 2000 days to go , but check the latest London 2012 News with unionjackwear
 
Union Jack Trousers Featured on The Golf Channel

Our Union Jack Designer Trousers won the "Nice Pants Award" on "The 2004 All-Jake Team" Awards Show, hosted by PGA Tour veteran Peter Jacobsen on The Golf Channel  as part of the award to Ian Poulter for all the funky pants he wore at the Open and the PGA Championship !!

   The image �http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/golf3.jpg� cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.  The image �http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/golf5.jpg� cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.
Exclusive Designer Ladies Union Jack clothing avilable in January 2005
Union Jack Party Wear - Union Jack Tooth picks, Party Wear - Cup , Plates arriving January
 

 

                            Your  Feedback on Union Jack Wear :

 

Just to let you know that the Union Jack duvet set arrived this morning, and is lovely. Chenie is really pleased with it, it was exactly what she wanted

Just wanted to let you know that my shirts arrived today safe and sound. All I can say is, "WOW, these are so cool!".  Thanks for sending them to me.  I'm really glad I waited for the zip up sweatshirt.  I really love it

Thank you for your prompt delivery of this item
Well Done !!

It�s a great web site and I�ll pass it onto my friends at various units back in the UK too!!

Many thanks again for your generosity, and from an ex punk rocker who now works for our good lady, God Save the Queen!!!

Thank you  for your brouchure of your  wide seclection of VE 60th Anniversary gifts , I'm hoping to place an order very soon.

Wow! I received this package on Monday! Amazing.

                                      

 I Feel Like Joe Elliot in My New Shirt!!!!

  The Def Leppard Union Jack shirt for my husband was an absolute hit!  We had so many people ask us where we got it

Union Jack Wear - can I just say, we love all your products, I will be back

WOW!COOLshirt,LIGHTNING int'l delivery!FLAWLESStrans,myHI-ESTrecommendation!Thx!

Excellent quality Patriotic Union Jack T shirt -simply the best

 

Union Jack Wear - simply the best

Fast shipment, awesome product! Wonderful Seller! A++++++

unionjac t shirt is fab (  id 312  ) cool Britannia !! thanks a lot

This is just what no. 2 son has been looking for. A great buy. Thank you.

lovely wristbands many thanks AAA+++

unionjackwear.co.uk your the tops !

Thank you for making our planned ww2 ve day celebrations party so easy

Thank You Mr Union Jack recevied This morning - wonderful service

Union Jack Fabric

Make your own  Union Jack Party clothes with our Union Jack Fabric,also perfect for Union Jack Table covering 

Union Jack wholesale prices availabe for all Large Orders

wholesale@unionjackwear.co.uk

http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/robin1.jpg

 

http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/robin2.jpg

 

http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/unionjack.jpg

http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/100_170.jpg

Union Jack Naked Chef !

Tourist Fair Amsterdam  Jan 2007

VE Day Celebration 2005 Pictures

 The image �http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/pic1.jpg� cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

 The image �http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/pic2.jpg� cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

 The image �http://home.freeuk.com/gsj/pic3.jpg� cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Saltwell Street, East London VE Day Celebration Party 2005

Your Feedback

Tell us what Patriotic products you are looking for that are not featured in Union Jack Wear   

feedback@unionjackwear.co.uk

Click here to visit the really cool UK CantBarsed.com Top Sites!

 Search the web

How To Draw The Union Jack Correctly

 The British Union flag commonly known as the Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom which was formed in 1801 when the Irish Parliament joined Westminster and the cross of St Patrick was imposed on the existing Union Flag which had been created a few years after the Unification of the crowns of England and Scotland in 1603.
    The  Union Jack combines the three  crosses of St George - England,  St Andrew - Scotland and  St Patrick - Ireland.

Learn how to draw the unionjack flag

UNION JACK SCHOOL PACKS

Mail us for details of our Union Jack School Packs ,which include Histoy of the Union Jack, Union Jack Poster,Union Jack  Pens, Pencils, Flags  and other patriotic goods.Bulk discounts available

 

BEST UNION JACK and PATRIOTIC VIDEOS


Click to Verify - This site has chosen a VeriSign SSL Certificate to improve Web site security

Spacer