B1 – The Union Jack: The Story Behind the Flag
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Hello, my lovely people!
Today we are going to discover the story behind one of the most famous flags in the world: the Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack. At first sight, it may look like a simple combination of red, white and blue, but its design tells us a lot about the history of the United Kingdom.
Look carefully and you will see that the flag is made up of three different crosses. Each one has a historical connection with a different part of the United Kingdom. But there is also an interesting question: where is Wales?
First things first: what is the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain, however, is the island that contains England, Scotland and Wales.
Three crosses in one flag
The Union Jack combines three heraldic crosses connected with three patron saints:
🏴 St George’s Cross — England
A red upright cross on a white background.
🏴 St Andrew’s Cross — Scotland
A white diagonal cross, or saltire, on a blue background.
🏴 St Patrick’s Cross — Ireland
A red diagonal cross on a white background.
How did the flag develop?
The story began in 1603, when James VI of Scotland also became James I of England. England and Scotland still had separate states, but they now shared the same monarch.
In 1606, the crosses of St George and St Andrew were combined in a new flag. Later, after the political union with Ireland, St Patrick’s red diagonal cross was added. The present design came into use in 1801.
And what about Wales?
Wales is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom, but the Welsh dragon does not appear on the Union Jack. Why?
When the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales had already been legally incorporated into the Kingdom of England. For this historical reason, it was not represented by a separate symbol when the English and Scottish crosses were combined.
Look closely: the flag is not symmetrical!
The diagonal red and white lines do not have exactly the same position on both sides of the flag. This was done so that the crosses of St Andrew and St Patrick could both remain visible.
As a result, there is a correct way to fly the Union Jack. When the flagpole is on the left, the broader white diagonal should be above the red diagonal in the top-left corner. If the flag is reversed, it is upside down.
Union Flag or Union Jack?
Both names are widely used. Union Flag is the formal descriptive name, while Union Jack is the familiar name used by many people. The exact origin of the word Jack is uncertain, although it may be connected with the use of small flags on ships.
🇬🇧 The Union Jack at a glance:
Activity: Read the text and answer the questions about the Union Jack. Then click “Submit answers” to check your results.
📥 Prefer paper? Download the PDF version here.
💬 Final challenge: If the Union Jack were designed for the first time today, do you think Wales should have its own symbol on it? Explain your opinion in 2–3 sentences.
Enjoy it!
Yoci Teacher
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