The flag of the United Kingdom, also known as the Union Jack, is made up of three different flags. Here are some of the details about the appearance of the British flag:
- The flag consists of a deep blue background (officially known as "Union Flag blue") with a diagonal red cross (known as the St. Patrick's cross) that connects the corners.
- In the center of the flag, there is a white horizontal cross (known as the St. Andrew's cross) that intersects the red cross. The white lines of this cross are slightly thicker than the red.
- The red cross represents England, the white diagonal cross represents Scotland, and the red diagonal cross represents Ireland (specifically, Northern Ireland).
- The proportions of the flag are 1:2, which means that the length is twice the width.
- The design of the flag originated in 1801 when Ireland officially joined with Great Britain to form the United Kingdom.
Overall, the Union Jack is a distinctive and recognizable symbol of the United Kingdom that has been used for centuries in various contexts, from military uniforms to pop culture.
