Description
Union Jack flag flying for Britain. The UK flag consists of three elements: the cross of St. George (red on white) for England, the cross of St. Andrew (white diagonal on blue) for Scotland, and the 'cross of St. Patrick' (red diagonal on white) for Ireland. The original Union Jack / Union Flag, adopted in 1606, was symmetrical. The red cross of St. George was outlined in white overlaid on top of a St. Andrew's flag, which was blue with a white X. In 1801, an Act of Union which made Ireland a co-equal member of the United Kingdom made it necessary to add a symbol for Ireland to the flag.