The Birth of the Union
Complete free lesson · 4 sections
Related guide: Read the first-time preparation guide.
In 1801, the Act of Union was passed, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, became the national flag. It combines the crosses of three countries: England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Each of the three crosses on the Union Flag represents a patron saint:
- A red cross on a white background represents St George, the patron saint of England.
- A diagonal white cross on a blue background represents St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.
- A diagonal red cross on a white background represents St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
It is worth noting that Wales is not represented on the Union Flag. By the time the flag was designed, Wales had already been united with the Kingdom of England and was no longer treated as a separate country for that purpose.