Three crosses on the Union Flag

Study note

The Union Flag, also called the Union Jack, is built from three separate crosses laid over one another. Each cross stands for a patron saint and the nation linked to that saint, which is why the flag is a symbol of union between different parts of the UK.

The three crosses are the cross of St George for England, the cross of St Andrew for Scotland, and the cross of St Patrick for Ireland. Together these create the familiar red, white and blue design. Knowing which cross belongs to which country is a common test point, so it is worth learning the three pairings.

The Welsh dragon does not appear on the Union Flag, because Wales had already been joined to England before the flag was created. So St George stands for England, St Andrew for Scotland and St Patrick for Ireland, but there is no Welsh symbol on the flag.

Memory tip: George, Andrew and Patrick are on the flag; the Welsh dragon is not.