Sage-Tips

Who can fly the Union Jack?

Any individual can fly the Union Flag at any time. The Union Flag may be flown on UK Government buildings all year round. Those wishing to fly the Union Flag on the designated fixed flag flying days should only fly it from 8am until sunset.

Why do some countries have the Union Jack on their flag?

The Union Flag, or Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom. It is so called because it combines the crosses of the three countries united under one Sovereign – the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland (although since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom).

Why does Australia and New Zealand have the Union Jack on its flag?

The Union Jack reflects New Zealand’s origins as a British colony. The Southern Cross constellation is one of the striking features of the Southern Hemisphere sky, and has been used to represent New Zealand, among other Southern Hemisphere colonies, since the early days of European settlement.

Is the Union Jack flag copyrighted?

Yes, a representation of the Union Jack flag and/or the flags of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man can be registered as part of a trade mark. However, as well as being subject to the usual examination criteria, such marks cannot be misleading or grossly offensive.

Can Union Jack be upside down?

Important: the Union Flag has a correct way up – in the half of the flag nearest the flagpole, the wider diagonal white stripe must be above the red diagonal stripe, as Scotland’s St Andrew’s Cross takes precedence over Ireland’s St Patrick’s Cross. It is most improper to fly the flag upside down.

Why does Hawaii have a Union Jack?

The inclusion of the Union Jack of the United Kingdom is a mark of the Royal Navy’s historical relations with the Hawaiian Kingdom, particularly with King Kamehameha I. The flag continued to be used after the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Why does New Zealand flag only have 4 stars?

The fifth smaller star on the Australian Flag can be seen when looking at the Southern Cross and there was some debate in New Zealand as to whether the fifth star should be included on the New Zealand Flag. They decided just to use the four stars that mark the points of the compass.

Can I use the Union Jack on my website?

Union flag use Marketers may feature national flags in their marketing communications, if they do not cause serious or widespread offence, or materially mislead consumers by doing so. Advertisers should bear in mind that flags that are defaced, torn, or in any way modified have the potential to cause offence.

Is it only called the Union Jack when flown at sea?

When a ship is underway, the Union Jack is only flown from the jackstaff when the ship is dressed for a special occasion, such as the Queen’s official birthday. The Union Flag is worn at the masthead of a ship to indicate the presence of the Sovereign or an Admiral of the Fleet.

What countries have the Union Jack in their national flags?

There are a few independent countries that still display the Union Jack in their national flags. The flags of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tuvalu. The Amercian state flag of Hawaii also includes the Union Jack. These are historic references, as all these territories were at one time British Colonies.

What is the official name of the Union Jack?

Surprisingly, with a flag that is known so synonymously as the Union Jack, its official name is the Union Flag! The flag is only called the Union Jack when it’s at sea. The only time the Union Flag is officially called the Union Jack is when it is being flown at sea.

What flag replaced the Union Jack in Australia?

In Australia, the Union flag was systematically replaced by the current national flag through the Flag Act of 1953. Union Jack is incorporated by four former British colonies as a part of their national flags. These colonies include New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Tuvalu.

Why isn’t there a Welsh element in the Union Jack?

Since there is no Welsh element in the Union Jack, Wrexham’s Labour MP Ian Lucas proposed on 26 November 2007 in a House of Commons debate that the Union Flag be combined with the Welsh flag to reflect Wales’s status within the UK, and that the red dragon be added to the Union Flag’s red, white, and blue pattern.