The Union Jack

Before we get started let's quickly refresh our memories: the words 'flag' and  'jack' are synonymous.
As national flags go the Union Flag, or Union Jack as it's commonly known today, is surely one of the most instantly recognizable; it's highly distinctive and quite unique. But as the name Union Jack hints, it's not in fact just one flag but actually three, with it's component parts representing the countries that comprise the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Union Jack in the form we know it today was formally adopted in 1801, but it's origins can be traced back to 1603. In that year James VI of Scotland (later James I)  inherited the English and Irish thrones thus uniting the crowns of England, Ireland and Scotland. (This was a personal/royal triumph for James, but did not result in the formation of a national union between those countries). In 1606, to commemorate the regal union between England and Scotland, it was decreed that a new flag be created, and this simply combined England's national flag with the flag of Scotland to form the first Union Jack.

                                             England's Flag - the Cross of Saint George

                                            Scotland's Flag - the Cross of Saint Andrew

In 1801, following the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, royal proclamation decreed that the flag of Saint Patrick representing Ireland be incorporated as well, and hence the Union Jack that we know today.

                                         The Cross of Saint Patrick representing Ireland

It's now simple to see that superimposing the Cross of Saint Patrick with the Cross of Saint Andrew and the Cross of Saint George results in the beloved Union Jack. But, I hear some of you say, isn't there something missing? What about Wales? That's a very fair question - the answer is that the Cross of Saint George also represents Wales, and therefore our Welsh friends haven't been left out. So there you have it!

Footnote:
There are several commonly used terms that describe parts of, and all of, the Union. Here's a quick breakdown:
- England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales (individual countries in their own right).
- Britain (or Great Britain): this refers to the island that consists of England, Scotland and Wales.
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (U.K.): The official name of the union that consists of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.