BIRCH FAMILYTREE

The flag is normally called the "Union Jack" because it represents a union of countries - England, Ireland, and Scotland and Wales (the flag does not include a flag from Wales because Wales was never ruled in the same way that the other countries were ruled).

Actually it shouldn't be called the "Union Jack", because a jack is a flag that is flown on a jackstaff which is a small flag pole on the back of a naval ship. So it should be called the "Union Flag".

The Union Jack Flag includes the Cross of St. George (England), The Cross of St. Andrew (Scotland) and the Cross of St. Patrick (Ireland).

In 1606, the first flag of Great Britain was developed, which included the crosses of and at this point,had not been united with England or Scotland.

The red cross (England) had to be put onto the white on blue cross (Scotland), and a white border was added for reasons of HERALDRY (ask your teacher!). This flag was used during the reign of James 1 and Charles 1 (1603-1649), and up until 1801.

In that year, Ireland became united officially with England, so the Nation's flag had to be changed to include the Irish Cross (red diagonal cross on white). The designers had to make sure that all the crosses could be recognized as individual flags as well as being in the same flag together. They did this by making the background white (Scottish Cross) broader on one side of the Irish red than on the other. This meant that all the separate crosses could be seen and the Irish Cross had it's original white background.

If your nation's flag has a little Union Jack in the corner of it, then your country is probably a member of the Nations which include: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Tuvalu, the state of Hawaii, the Australian States and the three Canadian Provinces.

The Union Jack is the most important of all British symbols, and it is flown by representatives of the all over the world; in the military and the navy, and in royalty.

FLAGS

English Flag (or 'St. George's Cross Flag')

The cross of St George is the flag of England, not the Union Jack. It is a red cross on a white field. The Church of England uses the cross of Saint George with the shield of arms of its diocese in the canton, although in practice many, when they fly the flag at all, fly the plain cross.
The St George's Cross flag as the national flag of England has no official proportions, as it is not used officially by government bodies etc. Public buildings in England are supposed to fly the on St George's Day.
The flag was in use during the Crusades and it was one of the national emblems of England as early as 1277. In 1497, the St. George Cross flag was flown by John and Sebastian Cabot on their voyages from England to New Foundland and the North American continent, as well as by other English explorers including Francis Drake, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh.

Government of Northern Ireland Flag (or 'Ulster Flag' )

This flag is based upon the St. George's Cross (see English flag) However this particular flag of is seen as staunchly Loyalist because of the Crown, the Star of David, and the Red Hand of Ulster.
This was a civil flag for Northern Ireland, but the status of this was abolished when the Belfast Stormont assembly was closed down in 1973. Thereafter, the Union Flag was made official for all purposes in Northern Ireland.
The red hand of Ulster comes from a legend from one of Ireland's many legendary invasions. The leader of a war party promised a prize to the first man to touch land with his right hand; so the winner, a left-handed man, cut off his right hand and threw it onto the shore.

The Welsh Flag

The Welsh flag has two equal horizontal stripes, white above green, and a large red dragon passant.
It appears that there is no "standard" Welsh dragon, modern renderings must be based on historic precedents but a degree of variation is inevitable. The dragon on the flag must, however, face to the left, be sited centrally and cover equal parts of the white and green panels.
Despite its occasional use by other figures famous in Welsh history, the red dragon became the symbol of the Welsh nation. It is held that this dragon represented Henry Tudor's claim to be a true representative of the ancient kings of Britain and served as his tribute to the Welsh people who had made his victory possible.

Scottish Flag (or 'St. Andrew's Cross Flag' or 'Saltire')

The Saint Andrew's Cross, also known as the Saltire, is one of the oldest national flags of all, dating back at least to the 12th century. It is based on the x-shaped cross on which the patron saint of Scotland was crucified. This flag, along with the flag of Saint George the patron saint of England formed the basis of the when James VI of Scotland became James I of England.

The Republic of Ireland's Flag

Republic of Ireland's flag (also called the "Tricolor") is made of three equal-sized rectangles of orange, white, and green. The flag is twice as wide as it is tall. The green side is by the flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848.
The green color on the flag represents the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic). The orange color represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). The white in the center of the flag represents peace between these two groups of people.

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	The cross of St George is the flag of England, not the Union Jack. It is a red cross on a white field. The Church of England uses the cross of Saint George with the shield of arms of its diocese in the canton, although in practice many, when they fly the flag at all, fly the plain cross. The St George's Cross flag as the national flag of England has no official proportions, as it is not used officially by government bodies etc. Public buildings in England are supposed to fly the on St George's Day. The flag was in use during the Crusades and it was one of the national emblems of England as early as 1277. In 1497, the St. George Cross flag was flown by John and Sebastian Cabot on their voyages from England to New Foundland and the North American continent, as well as by other English explorers including Francis Drake, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh.


	This flag is based upon the St. George's Cross (see English flag) However this particular flag of is seen as staunchly Loyalist because of the Crown, the Star of David, and the Red Hand of Ulster. This was a civil flag for Northern Ireland, but the status of this was abolished when the Belfast Stormont assembly was closed down in 1973. Thereafter, the Union Flag was made official for all purposes in Northern Ireland. The red hand of Ulster comes from a legend from one of Ireland's many legendary invasions. The leader of a war party promised a prize to the first man to touch land with his right hand; so the winner, a left-handed man, cut off his right hand and threw it onto the shore.


	The Welsh flag has two equal horizontal stripes, white above green, and a large red dragon passant. It appears that there is no "standard" Welsh dragon, modern renderings must be based on historic precedents but a degree of variation is inevitable. The dragon on the flag must, however, face to the left, be sited centrally and cover equal parts of the white and green panels. Despite its occasional use by other figures famous in Welsh history, the red dragon became the symbol of the Welsh nation. It is held that this dragon represented Henry Tudor's claim to be a true representative of the ancient kings of Britain and served as his tribute to the Welsh people who had made his victory possible.


	The Saint Andrew's Cross, also known as the Saltire, is one of the oldest national flags of all, dating back at least to the 12th century. It is based on the x-shaped cross on which the patron saint of Scotland was crucified. This flag, along with the flag of Saint George the patron saint of England formed the basis of the when James VI of Scotland became James I of England.


	Republic of Ireland's flag (also called the "Tricolor") is made of three equal-sized rectangles of orange, white, and green. The flag is twice as wide as it is tall. The green side is by the flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848. The green color on the flag represents the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic). The orange color represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). The white in the center of the flag represents peace between these two groups of people.