To date, the flag of Britain is something much larger than just a symbol of a powerful power. Magnets, souvenirs, bags, t-shirts, and even underwear with prints of the Foggy Albion flag have become incredibly popular all over the world.
Interesting Facts
We know from the Gospel that the disciples of Christ, after his ascension, went to carry the word of God all over the world. Some scholars believe that the holy apostles Peter and Paul managed to visit Britain, but the data testifying to their mission in this country is negligible. But the brother of the Apostle Peter, the holy martyr Andrew the First-Called, is officially considered the patron saint of Scotland. The apostle was allegedly crucified on an oblique cross, and the image of this cross of white color was widespread already in the fourteenth century.
How was it all
The flag of Britain has a long and interesting history. Many historians believe that back in the 13th century, during the bloody war with Wales, the cross began to be used as a national emblem, well known to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It was under such a sign that the crusader knights fought with Muslims, trying to achieve the transfer of the holy city to the power of the Christian Church. It was this cross, also known as the cross of St. George the Victorious, that became the first symbol of the Foggy Albion. At the beginning of the XVI century, his image appears on the flag of the state flag.
St. Patrick's Cross
The history of the British flag has close ties with religion. The semi-legendary saint Patrick was considered and is still considered the most revered saint, who, according to legend, brought writing to Ireland, and at the same time expelled all the snakes from the island. The great missionary worked hard for the benefit of the holy church. The flag of Britain combines three crosses, one of which is the red oblique cross of St. Patrick. By the way, according to one version, this sign is a symbol of the Order of St. Patrick, founded at the end of the XVIII century. Supporters of the second version believe that it was borrowed from the Fitzgerald coat of arms; in addition, there is an opinion that the cross of St. Patrick is nothing but a symbol of the Order of the Garter, which was tilted at an angle of 45 degrees.
Historical value
The flag of Britain has enormous historical value. First of all, it symbolizes the unification of all four provinces of the country, now known as the United Kingdom (Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and, of course, England), and is called the Union Jack, which means “union of flags”. Regarding the etymology of the word "Jack" there has been much debate. Today, historians have agreed that this is a kind of tribute to maritime traditions, because initially the flag was used only in sea voyages. Here, too, there are two versions, and which one to accept, historians have not yet decided.
First: Jack translated from English literally means "bow of the ship." The second option is more romantic: "Jack" is a diminutive form of the name Jacob, or Jacob. That was the name of the king, who managed to unite England and Scotland.
The value of the elements
As numerous pictures show, the flag of Britain is crossed by three crosses:
- Red wide straight cross on a white background (cross of St. George, the symbol of England).
- An oblique red cross located on a white cross (St. Patrick's cross , symbol of Ireland).
- The diagonal white cross (the cross of St. Andrew, the symbol of Scotland).
The symbolism of Wales on the flag is not yet available, although talk that it is high time to place the traditional Welsh dragon on the canvas periodically occurs.
Color meaning
Officially, the flag of Britain begins its history from the beginning of the XVII century, and more precisely, from 1603. It was then that the Scottish king Jacob VI inherited the English throne and became the English king Jacob I. On April 12, a new standard was officially approved, known today as Union Jack - the national flag of Great Britain, the meaning of the colors of which is known throughout the world. It is believed that red is the color of the royal family, and white symbolizes the suffering of the holy martyr Andrew the First-Called. As for the blue color, this is a kind of tribute to the history - initially, in the XV century, the flag background was blue.
The British are known throughout the world not only for their conservatism in relation to everything new, but also for the sacred observance of the traditions of their ancestors. Everything that is somehow connected with state symbols is given special attention. So, today in the Foggy Albion celebrate the holidays dedicated to the flag day. Cloths are hung from the windows on significant days:
- in honor of the birthday of a member of the royal family;
- on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Parliament;
- on the wedding anniversary of the king;
- on the occasion of Commonwealth Day.
In principle, this only at first glance everything seems so confusing. Anglo-Saxons are people who adhere to strict logic, and this can be clearly seen in their culture, art and history.