United Kingdom

About the flag

This is the Union Jack, the national flag of the United Kingdom. It merges the crosses of three patron saints—St George (England), St Andrew (Scotland), and St Patrick (Ireland)—to symbolize the political union; Wales is included through its historic union with England. A handy mnemonic: think “union of three saints” layered into one. The current design dates from 1801 after the union with Ireland. You’ll also spot it in the canton of several other flags (e.g., Australia and New Zealand), a legacy of the British Empire and ongoing Commonwealth ties.