As the national flag of the United Kingdom, the Union Jack is made up of united symbols from England, Scotland and Ireland. In 1606 the national flag of England was combined with the Scottish flag. That is to say, the red cross of St George on a white background was combined with the diagonal white cross of St Andrew on a blue background.
The Scots were not very happy with this new flag and it took them a hundred years to start flying it regularly.
The final addition came in 1801 when Ireland joined the union. This brought the red diagonal cross of St Patrick to the flag. You can tell if a Union Jack is being flown the right way up by looking at the top corner next to the flag-pole. The broad white band should be uppermost. This is the St Andrew’s cross. The narrow white edge on the other side of the red band below it is the background of St Patrick’s cross.
Picture Credit : Google
