British Billy flies the Union Flag

  • Published
  • By British Billy
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  As a patriotic pet, I am very proud of the Union Flag. We Brits don't seem to have as many rules about our flag as I know my American chums tell me they have about their beloved star-spangled banner, but we wave our flag fervently whenever we are supporting Great Britain or hailing a visiting member of our royal family. If you take a quick look in the windows of souvenir shops locally or in London, you will find our Union Flag emblazoned on mugs, tee shirts and the like, and it serves as a reminder of this fair land when travellers return home.

Please understand the Union Flag is not the same as the English flag, and anyone who is Scots, Welsh or Irish will tell you firmly that their nations each have their own individual flags as well.

The Union Flag, as its name indicates, represents the union of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Combined, these flags form the Union Flag - with the exception of Wales, but I'll explain that in just a moment.

Many centuries ago, flags were usually military devices and would traditionally carry the emblems of the royal house they were meant to represent. The Union Flag did not blend royal motifs; it represented the nations through their saints' emblems: the emblems of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick.

The Union Flag, as we know it today, dates back to 1801, when Ireland joined Great Britain in a single kingdom. But the original flag, which was set out by royal proclamation on April 12, 1606, was subtly different, lacking the diagonal red lines - the so-called St Patrick's cross.

The striking red, white and blue design of the Union Flag today harks back to a time when "Britannia ruled the waves"*.

From the outset, the Union Flag had been a maritime flag - to be flown by naval and civilian vessels. Its use on land had never been considered. This is why it's often known as the Union Jack. A "jack" is a national flag flown by warships - but other theories are that it comes from the "jack-et" worn by soldiers, or from the Latin or French form of James: Jacobus or Jacques. Some people get very worked up about the use of the correct terminology.

What really gets my fur in a fluff is when the Union Flag is flown upside down. While the flag appears symmetrical, the white lines above and below the diagonal red are different widths. On the side closest to the flagpole (or on the left when depicted on paper), the white lines above the diagonals are wider; on the side furthest from the flagpole (or on the right when depicted on paper), the converse is true. Thus, rotating the flag 180 degrees will have no change but, if mirrored, the flag will be upside-down.

Placing the flag upside down is considered an offence against the dignity of the reigning sovereign. Sadly, it is quite a common gaffe, and one guaranteed to annoy a keen-eyed patriot. On rare occasions, the flag has been flown upside down as a distress signal.

And what of Wales, I hear you cry? The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because, when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England from the 13th century. This meant that Wales was a principality instead of a kingdom and as such could not be included.

The Welsh are never daunted, however, and in November 2007, a Welsh Member of Parliament, Ian Lucas, asked Parliament why Wales is not represented in the Union Flag. He was provided with all sorts of legal and constitutional reasons, but I doubt that they will silence the slight he and many other Welshmen feel they have suffered. No doubt the argument will rumble on.

In the meantime, the Union Flag as we know and love it will continue to flutter in the wind. It is probably the best known of all British icons, appearing on car roofs, guitars, clothing and other memorabilia. I can assure you that it flutters in this feline heart of mine. A few choruses of 'Rule Britannia'* and I will be in a complete patriotic frenzy.

*"Rule Britannia" is one of Britain's most popular patriotic songs. The chorus goes, "Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves: Britons never, never, never shall be slaves."It is guaranteed to stir the most flagging spirit. Any friendly Brit will happily sing it to you. Trust me.