The flag of the UK

 

The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack*** is made up of three crosses.

 

 

 

 

The upright red cross is the cross of St George, the patron saint of England.

 

 

 

 

The white diagonal cross (with the arms going into the corners) is the cross of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

 

 

The red diagonal cross is the cross of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

 

 

 

The national flag of Wales is a red dragon on a background of white and green. Wales is not represented in the Union Jack because when the first version of the flag appeared Wales was already united with England*, but the Welsh flag is in widespread usage throughout that country.

 

2.2. The Royal Coat of Armsis the official coat of arms of the British monarch.

The Coat of Arms depicts the shield supported by a crowned lion (on the left) and a unicorn (on the right).

The shield is quartered: the top left and the bottom right quarters depict the three lions passant guardant which is the symbol for England; the top right quarter – the rampant lion and double tressure fleury-counter-fleury for Scotland; the bottom left quarter – a harp for Ireland. Above the shield there is the crown – the symbol of the monarch. The crest above the crown is a lion statant guardant wearing the imperial crown.

The supporters of the shield – the crowned lion and the unicorn symbolize England and Scotland respectively. According to legend a free unicorn was considered a very dangerous beast; therefore the heraldic unicorn is chained

The coat features both the motto of English monarchs, Dieu et mon droit (God and my right), and the motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shamed be he who thinks ill of it) on a representation of the Garter behind the shield. The mottoes are old French and date back to the days when French was the court language.

The Queen has a separate version of her arms for use in Scotland, giving the Scottish elements pride of place.

The Coat of Arms depicts the shield supported by a crowned lion (on the right) symbolizing England and a crowned and chained unicorn (on the left) symbolizing Scotland. Between each supporter and the shield is a lance displaying the flag of their respective kingdom.

The shield is quartered: the top left and the bottom right quarters depict the lion rampant of Scotland; the top right – the three lions passant guardant of England; the bottom left – the harp of Ireland.

The crest atop the Crown of Scotland is a red lion, seated and forward facing, itself wearing the Crown of Scotland and holding the two remaining elements of the Honours of Scotland – namely the Sword of State and the Sceptre of Scotland. Above the crest appears the motto, which is an abbreviated form of the full motto: In My Defens God Me Defend.

The coat also features both the motto Nemo me impune lacessit (No-one wounds (touches) me with impunity) and, surrounding the shield, the collar of the Order of the Thistle.

2.3. The National Anthem of the United Kingdomis“God Save The King”. It was a patriotic song that dates back to the 18^th century. The words and tunes are anonymous.

In September 1745 the “Young Pretender” to the British Throne, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, defeated the army of King George II at Prestonpans, near Edinburgh. When the news reached London the leader of the band at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, arranged “God Save the King” for performance after a play. It was a tremendous success and was repeated nightly. Other theatres later started to practice singing the song after a play.

Thus the custom of greeting monarchs with “God Save The King” as he or she entered a place of public entertainment was established. The words used today are those sung in 1745, substituting “Queen” for “King” where appropriate.

The words of the National Anthem are as follows:

God save our gracious Queen!
Long live our noble Queen!
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen.

Thy choicest gifts in store

On her be pleased to pour,

Long may she reign.

May she defend our laws,

And ever give us cause,

To sing with heart and voice,

God save the Queen.

On official occasions, only the first verse is usually sung.

3. The symbols of the UK’s four constituent parts