Union Jack I

The Union Flag, popularly known as the 'Union Jack' is the national flag of the United Kingdom.  The official British Flag.  The name Union Flag symbolizes the administrative union of the countries of the United Kingdom's of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, ( since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom).  As Wales was not a Kingdom but a Principality, it could not be included on the flag. A combination of the Scottish flag, St. Andrew's Cross  (white) and the English flag, St. George's Cross (red), created the Union Flag, (Union Jack) somewhere in the 1600's after the Scottish King James VI was crowned King James I of England... I wonder if the King had an identity crisis over changing VI to I, and did people call him one thing in Scotland and another name in England.... but I digress.

The name Union Jack was officially acknowledged as an alternative name for the Union Flag by the Admiralty and Parliament in the early 20th century.  One source said that the term 'jack' refers to the flag that is flown from the bowsprit of a ship, often denoting nationality.

*This flag is sold, but I am taking commissions on flags, and can paint another version/perspective of the Union Jack for you, or a different country.  

SOLD
12x6 oil on canvas. (the sides are painted black, so no need to frame)