Why is the flag of Great Britain called the Union Jack?
340054
Number of theories on this.\n\n"Jack flag" flown from the bow of a ship.\n\nOr after King James I.\n\nSee reference for more (above posting copied this)\n\nPS Incidently it's the English, Scottish AND Irish flags put together (not sure what happened to the Welsh!)
1051164
The English don't have a lot to be patriotic about, on the other hand the Scottish,Welsh.and the Irish do!\nSt Georges flag has now become a symbol of the BNP (political fascist group ) and lots of England football fans are very sympathetic to this group of racists .
278260
Good question. The Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles explains it well:\n\nThe Olympic rings are the official symbol of the Olympic Movement. There are five interlacing rings of the colors blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The rings are set upon a white background. \n\nBaron Pierre de Coubertin designed the Olympic emblem in 1913. In his words, "These five rings represent the five parts of the world won over to Olympism. . . This is a real international emblem."\n\nThe Olympic rings represent the union of the areas - the Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe and the meeting of athletes throughout the world at the Olympic Games. Contrary to a popular misconception, the colors themselves do not represent any single continent. The colors were chosen because at least one of these colors is found in the flag of every nation. \n\nThe original Olympic flag was made at the "Bon Marché" store in Paris. The flag is three meters long and two meters wide. It first flew over an Olympic stadium at the 1920 Antwerp Games. The original flag also carried the Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius," Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger."\n\nHope this helps!\nNewarview
696952
The EU flag is the symbol not only of the European Union but also of Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe.\nThe number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are twelve stars because the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements.\nThe history of the flag goes back to 1955. At that time, the European Union existed only in the form of the European Coal and Steel Community, with just six Member States (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg). But a separate body with a larger membership - the Council of Europe - had been set up several years earlier and was busy defending human rights and promoting European culture.\nThe Council of Europe was considering what symbol to adopt for its own use. After much discussion, the present design was adopted - a circle of twelve gold stars on a blue background. In various traditions, twelve is a symbolic number representing perfection. It is also, of course, the number of months in a year and the number of hours shown on a clock face. The circle is, among other things, a symbol of unity. So the European flag was born, representing the ideal of unity among the peoples of Europe.\nThe Council of Europe then encouraged other European institutions to adopt the same flag and, in 1983, the European Parliament took up the call. Finally, in 1985, the flag was adopted by all EU heads of State and government as the official emblem of the European Union - which, in those days, was called the European Communities.\nAll European institutions have been using it since the beginning of 1986. »The European flag is the only emblem of the European Commission - the EU's executive arm. Other EU institutions and bodies use an emblem of their own in addition to the European flag. \nActually, the EU has 25 members (Italy, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Germay, Ireland, Greece, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Cyprus and Malta) and 5 candidate countries (Romania and Bulgaria, which will be effective members from January 2007, Macedonia, Croatia and Turkey).
1052009
The diagonal red stripes (representing Ireland) were added to the existing Union flag in 1802 when the Irish Parliament was combined with that of the mainland\n\nIreland left the union in 1921 with the creation of the Irish free state (though 6 counties remained in the north) but the Irish part of the flag was left intact, so don't expect patrick any time soon\n\nThe government of Northern Ireland has a flag but this is the cross of St George plus other symbols. See the link below for the plethora of flags used in the north
164892
Why not? Its just a flag. Piracy (On the seas, at least) is very rare, and I dobt common pirates use the flags.
1056597
Do not confuse the English flag (red cross on white field) with the Union Jack (two red crosses, regular and St Andrews with white border on a blue field). The latter was the flag of the United Kingdom
1036706
Because United Kingdom, as its name implies, is a unified group of nations.... Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales.  Just as "Russia" is really a collection of several republics and the US is a collection of states.\nEngland is only one of these (but the most powerful).
919188
It is a symbol ............. like the US Flag.  It is a representation of the "peoples".   And it is sacred.\n\n\nNative Pride!
403572
as an historian, i can tell you whoever thinks it stands for slavery, hatred, the like are very misinformed. if that is true then the US Flag stands for the same thing, as slavery was not outlawed until 1863 with the E.P. Either way, I see it as a symbol of Southern Heritage, just like any other flag that symbolizes an era. It also did not just end with the Civil War, it is a symbol that still stands today. Sure some people that have one are racist, but there are just as many racists who have US Flags. \n\nBefore making comments like that, please learn your history about what it stands for and means.
439882
go here-http://www.csu.edu.au/australia/flag.html\n\nThe present Australian flag can be considered to consist of three main elements:\n\n\n The Union Jack in the upper hoist quadrant or first quarter (also know as the Canton), denoting Australia's historical links with Great Britain. The Union Jack itself is composed of red and white intersecting and overlayed vertical and diagonal crosses on a blue background,\n\n The Southern Cross in the second quarter (also known as the top or head) and fourth quarter. Consists of five stars in a more or less kite-like pattern - Alpha Crucis (7-point), Beta Crucis (7-point), Gamma Crucis (7-point), Delta Crucis (7-point) and the smaller Epsilon Crucis (5-point). The outer diameter of each of the 4 major stars is 1/7 the width of the fly and the inner diamter is 4/9 outer diamete; the diameter of Epsilon Crucis is 1/12 the width of the fly and the inner diameter is 4/9 the outer diameter. The constellation of the Southern Cross is a significant navigational feature of the southern hemisphere, strongly places Australia geographically and has been associated with the continet since its earliest days, \n The Commonwealth Star or Star of Federation, central in the third quarter or lower hoist, has seven points to denote the six states and the combined territories of the Commonwealth. The seventh point was added in 1909. The outer diameter is 3/5 the width of the Union Jack (3/10 the width of the fly) and the inner diameter is 4/9 the outer diameter.
1049497
Great Britain is The name of the largest of the British Isles. The United Kingdom is the State which includes the northermost six counties of Ireland. It's full title is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
1117232
Saint Andrew was the first apostle of Jesus Christ. Brother of Simon Peter, and follower of John the Baptist. ... The truth is, the St. Andrews cross flag has always been a symbol of independence, and defiance ...Its orgins is from Scotland
1031887
I think the one thing thats worse than England flags flown from cars are England flags which have "ENGLAND" written over the middle of the Cross of St George - flown from cars. The flag itself represents England and obviously doesn't need the name of the country written over it!\n\nI also find it quite moronic how a few years back it seemed England fans didn't even know what flag to fly at these events and would be displaying Union flags.\n\nNow it's so widespread that everyone who wants to look like a "lad" sticks a few flags up from their cars. By all means support England but dont stick those cheap little Halfords England flags upon your car roof - they also suck up fuel economy and can be a hazard when they eventually fly off...I had to drive around one which was rolled up in the road...it was only when I drove past it and saw it was a little flag that I had  a little laugh to myself.\n\nAs far as the England flag representing thuggery and "chavs" , I think thats a little biased, based on a few token individuals who give the country a bad name by not being able to hold their drink.
981571
I believe it has something to do with the company wanting to be known as Swedish:  Sweden's flag is a blue background with a yellow cross.  And we all know that Ikea uses yellow for it's name.
1061928
the dutch flag is red, white and blue - just like the US flag.\n\nThere was actually a city named Orange which was/became a house of royalty.
533561
This is a good question & one that has many opinions as answers.\n\nMy personal belief is that it comes mainly from the English culturaly themselves, portraying themselves as british.  Many consider countries like Scotland and Wales as part of England rather than British.  \n\nThe Union Jack also perpetuates this when it is flown in support of English issues as well as british.  A trend to using the flag of St George is a healthy one in my view and long overdue.  England has it's own identity and needs to portray it better.\n\nNo quick fix to this problem.\n\nOh and while we're on the subject, the BBC shoould be named the EBC for the incredible English bias that we Scots have to endure on a daily basis.  And then some wonder why we Scots won't support England at sport!\n\nRight, I'll shut up now.