The Union Flag (or Union Jack) is actually the British Monarch's emblem, though it has been used, in its various forms, as the national flag of the United Kingdom for several centuries. It incorporates the emblems of the three countries united under one Sovereign - the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland (since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the UK).

The flag consists of three heraldic crosses:

St. George's Cross

In 1194, King Richard I decided on a red St. George's Cross as the flag for England. Later, in the 1270's, St. George became the patron saint of England.

St. Andrew's Cross

Scotland is represented by the white saltire St. Andrew's Cross on a blue background. One legend suggests that its origins go back to a battle at Merkill, where King Angus' alliance of Picts and Scots fought King Athel's army from Northumbria. Angus, it is said, prayed to God for help on the night before the battle and saw a vision of Saint Andrew (the patron saint of Scotland) who promised victory. The next day, King Angus' men saw two long white clouds streaking across the blue sky, forming a cross. They took this as a sign from Saint Andrew and went on to win the fight.

This battle took place just a stone's throw from Markle, East Lothian, Scotland - the site of this village is marked only by ruins (most notably the remains of Markle Castle). The original name of the place was Merkill - this might have been derived from the word 'miracle'.

Union Flag - 1606

In 1606, King James VI of Scotland came to the throne of England after the death of Queen Elizabeth I - becoming King James I of England - an additional flag was made combining the white cross of St. Andrew, with the red cross of St. George. This was the first Union Flag. A white border was added to the red cross to show the red and white colours of the English flag. England and Scotland also retained their original national flags.

Scottish Union Flag - 1606

Many Scots objected to the English red cross being laid over their white cross, so they proposed an alternative design which placed St. Andrew's Cross on top. However, it was not given any official status.   

St. Patrick's Cross

On 1st January 1801 the Act of Union added Ireland to the United Kingdom. The Irish flag - a diagonal red cross on a white ground - was incorporated into the Union flag.

If Ireland's emblem had been centred on the St. Andrew's Cross, it would have obscured the Scottish symbol, so St. Patrick's Cross was made thinner and also offset slightly - thus ensuring that, when 'read' clockwise, the white Scottish St. Andrew's Cross (the oldest member of the Union) is ahead of the red Irish St. Patrick's Cross.

Wales - Y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon)

The Welsh emblem doesn't appear on the Union Flag because in 1606, when the flag was created, the Principality of Wales had already been united with England. Wales was conquered by England in the 13th Century (since that time the Monarch's eldest son has traditionally been the Prince Of Wales).

Red Hand Flag

The Union Flag of 1606 is still used by some Loyalist groups in Ulster who prefer not to see the St. Patrick's Cross on the flag. They also use the old Government of Northern Ireland's flag which has the English Cross of St. George, a crown and a red hand within a star. In memory of King William of Orange, they sometimes change the colour and refer to this flag as the Orange Cross as a contrast to the red saltire of the 'Irish' St. Patrick's Cross.