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Union Jack

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The national banner of Great Britain and Ireland. It consists of three united crosses—that of St. George for England, the saltire of St. Andrew for Scotland, and the cross of St. Patrick for Ireland.

In the Union Jack the white edging of St. George’s cross shows the white field. In the saltire the cross is reversed on each side, showing that the other half of the cross is covered over. The broad white band is the St. Andrew’s cross; the narrow white edge is the white field of St. Patrick’s cross.

In regard to the wordJack,” some say it is Jacque (James), the name of the king who united the flags, but this is not correct. Jacque is a surcoat emblazoned with St. George’s cross. James I. added St. Andrew’s cross, and St. Patrick’s cross was added in 1801. (Jaque, our “jacket.”)

Technically described thus:

“The Union Flag shall be azure, the Crosses saltire of St. Andrew and St. Patrick quarterly per saltire counterchanged, argent and gules, the latter fimbriated of the second, surmounted by the Cross of St. George of the third, fimbriated as the saltire.”—By order of the Council.


“Jaque, de lʹallemand jacke, espèce de petite casaque militaire quʹ on portait au moyen âge sur les armes et sur la cuirasse.”—Bouillet: Dictionnaire Universel.

 

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Under which King, Bezonian?
Underwriter
Undine
Ungrateful Guest (The)
Unguem
Unhinged
Unhouselled
Unicorn
Unicorns
Unigenitus (Latin, The Only-Begotten)
Union Jack
Union Rose (The)
Unionists
Unitarians
United Kingdom
United States
Unities
Universal Doctor
Universe
University
Unknown

Linking here:

Greek Cross
Yellow Jack

See Also:

Union Jack