The Flag of the United Kingdom reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004
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Flag of the United Kingdom

Helping orphans the way you would do it
Flag Ratio: 1:2Enlarge

Flag Ratio: 1:2

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the Royal Banner commonly known as the Union Jack, or more properly Union Flag.

When flown by civilians the flag should have a white border, but this is rarely seen now.

The use of two flags is common in many countries. Spain and Germany, for example, the ordinary flag also has the national coat of arms when used by the government.

The current design of the Union Flag or Jack dates from the union of Ireland and the United Kingdom in 1801. The history and nomenclature of this flag, the pre-1801 version, and its use other than as a flag for the United Kingdom (eg in Canada), are treated more fully under the article Union Jack.

The Court of the Lord Lyon, which has criminal jurisdiction in heraldic matters in Scotland, confirms that the Union Flag popularly called "The Union Jack", is the correct flag for all citizens and corporate bodies of the United Kingdom to fly to demonstrate their loyalty and their nationality.

Its correct proportions are 2: 1.

See also


External Link

The Lyon Court: Flags

National flags
List of national flags | Gallery of national flags
List of national coats of arms