Is it the Union Flag or the Union Jack and what is the correct way to fly it?
THE national flag of the United Kingdom is also commonly known as the Union Jack
The flag is also sometimes known as the Union Flag - so which name is correct?
What is the difference between the Union Flag and the Union Jack?
Both Union Jack and Union Flag are used to describe the red, white and blue flag of the United Kingdom.
It began its life in 1606, as the flag to represent the unification of England and Scotland and was flown exclusively on ships.
With the Acts of Union 1707, the Union Flag became recognised as the ensign armorial of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
The name Union Jack is thought to originate from the reign of Queen Anne around the early 1700s but the true origin is unknown.
Some historians say it may have come from the "jack-et" of the English or Scottish soldiers, or from the name of James I who originated the first union in 1603.
Another origin suggested for the name is described on the : "The name may be derived from a proclamation by Charles II that the Union Flag should be flown only by ships of the Royal Navy as a jack, a small flag at the bowsprit; the term 'jack' once meant small."
Why is the Union Jack called the Union Jack?
The flag consists of three heraldic crosses - combining the crosses of the three countries united under one Sovereign.
The cross of St George, patron saint of England, is a red cross on a white background and was combined with the cross of St Andrew in 1606.
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The cross saltire of St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, is a diagonal white cross on a blue background.
The cross saltire of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is a diagonal red cross on a white background.
The Irish cross was combined with the flags of St George and St Andrew following the Act of Union of Ireland with England and Wales, and Scotland on January 1, 1801.
This act created the Union Flag that we see today.
The Welsh dragon does not appear on it as when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, the Principality of Wales was already united with England and was no longer a separate principality.
What is the correct way to fly the Union flag?
The states that the flag must be flown the correct way up.
However, it is easy to fly the flag the wrong way due to the slightly non-symmetrical design.
The Union Jack should be flown wide white top and broadside up.
This means the wider diagonal white stripe should be above the red diagonal stripe at the top left-hand side of the Union Flag nearest the flag pole.
It is flown this way to give seniority to Scotland over Ireland as they joined the union first.
When is the Union Jack raised over Buckingham Palace?
The Union Flag was originally a royal flag but became the flag of the United Kingdom by precedent rather than law.
When the present design was made official in 1801, it was ordered to be flown on all the King's forts and castles, but nowhere else.
Of course, nowadays it is flown across the world and used in celebrations.
It is today flown above Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Sandringham when the King is not in residence.
The flying of the Union Flag on public buildings is decided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at The Queen's command.
The Union Flag is flown on Government buildings on special days of importance to the government and the royal family.
It is flown to mark the birthdays of members of the Royal Family, Commonwealth Day, Coronation Day, Remembrance Day and on the days of the State Opening and prorogation of Parliament.