History of the Union Jack

[@emperornuclear]

I’ve never seen a more straightforward video in my life.

[@hamyutsmeseta3841]

Agree 😀👍👍

[@esther7943]

Agreed 😀!

[@rzgrimes]

Disagree 😒👎👎

[@DaniSC_l1]

@@rzgrimes how dare you disagree

[@mmehdi4241]

wow, that's a radio active comment

[@bl-rp]

I've never noticed that weird assymetry before.

[@MultiChaoticus]

That's because it was not like that in all realities. I remember a British flag that never existed. The timelines are converging.

[@KBC7050]

Miqlos scenario 1: you were mistaken and never noticed the subtle assymetry scenario 2: everything we know is wrong and different realities are magically merging together yeah 2 is obviously the sane choice

[@MultiChaoticus]

I definitely ain't mistaken. That's for sure. Subtle? Trust me, I would have noticed any subtle details. This is not subtle. Don't take my word for it though. Observe for yourself how reality is changing, and think for yourself. Of course I could just tell you that quantum chips interact with parallel universes, and with bose-einstein condensate you can cause things to happen in the past, but it would be better if you would just investigate it yourself, as I have been doing the past ten months.

[@KBC7050]

Miqlos So reality is changing because of really cold Helium-4 atoms and superconducting computer processors? Yes, thanks for enlightening me. You obviously have an IQ of 300 because of your enormous brain. I am convinced.

[@agustinl2302]

@@KBC7050 I love how the other guy gave up on the sarcasm because you and everyone else were clearly missing it.

[@Klamath2046]

Fun fact: Flying the flag upside down inidcated that you were in need of help

[@Rannos22]

That seems like it would less than effective with the Union Jack in comparison to less symmetrical flags likes the USA's.

[@OuhaiRuby]

+Rannos22 That's why flags on British ships typically have the Union Jack in the canton (upper left corner) with the rest of the flag being either the St. George's Cross, solid red, or solid blue, sometimes with other designs on them.

[@NotQuiteFirst]

+Rannos22 A benefit of it being less obvious is that it can act as a secret distress signal. There is a historical case of a castle being captured by an enemy force, and the flag was flown upside down without the invaders realising it. When the home army returned they understood the message and acted accordingly, and retook the castle. I can't remember the details, but that was the gist of it.

[@zes3813]

wrr

[@EGeorgev]

Really? I thought it meant that the country is at war.

[@TheBeatKeeper]

I just discovered CGPGrey, and now I'm binge watching.

[@DJZiiWi]

Next Stop: Binge listen to the Hello Internet podcast. It's CGP Grey and Brady Haran from Numberphile/Sixty Symbols/Periodic Videos/etc. talking about.. well, everything. It's "two dudes talking", and it's the best two dudes talking about the best things.

[@DJZiiWi]

HelloInternet.fm .. If you watch his American Empire video, he has a link to it.

[@vizthex]

Yup he's a great channel.

[@kipofthemany2213]

Yeah he be pretty awesome!

[@SpitefulAZ]

you will catch up rather quickly....

[@dkamouflage]

DAMN IT! This means the Union Jack I've had posted on my wall has been upside-down this ENTIRE TIME! >_

[@polixstar8249]

dkamouflage TREASON

[@mahari893]

+dkamouflage ARREST THIS BARBARIAN FOR LIFE!

[@polixstar8249]

BakaRamen NO OFF WITH HIS HEAD

[@sanmugavelvel6774]

""f

[@davehoward22]

if its upsidedown it means your in distress

[@grahambass7314]

For anyone wondering, the reason for the asymmetry is that the diagonal pattern is not a red saltire on a white field (like the part representing the English flag) but is a combination of the red Irish saltire and the white Scottish saltire. To prevent one from covering the other, they are each split in half in a rotationally symmetrical pattern. In other words, the asymmetry exists to emphasize that the diagonal white pattern is a saltire itself and not just a field behind the red saltire.

[@ThePCguy17]

I love it. They don't even need a voice over.

[@NWRTales1221]

England has St. George's flag Scotland has St. Andrew's flag Ireland has St. Patrick's flag Wales' flag incorporates the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr, King of Gwynedd, along with the Tudor colours of green and white. The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united and annexed to England.

[@nasiraliclark]

Wales also have St. Davids flag.

[@yogsothoth7594]

You make it sound like it was a union in the same way Scotland joining us was and not a violent invasion involving lots of people dying for a power hungry king

[@abtinh867]

@TheBrodsterBoy If wales was to change its official flag to the black and yellow one (St David's) then it would make the possibility of representing them on the flag much more likely. A Black background or a yellow stripe is not nearly as intrusive on the iconic nature of the flag than a bloody dragon

[@binusreedharan8867]

Union Jack 🇬🇧 bowed before great ottoman 🇹🇷 flag several times

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

That's lame. The Welsh dragon should be on the Union Jack.

[@ahuhu]

Good news for OCDs: Notice that even if you look at the flag upside down (I mean physically rotate the flag not flipping it) there won't be any difference. That's because the flag is a rotational symmetry instead of a mirror symmetry (which I believe is a more interesting design than the boring mirror symmetry).

[@imalittlejuicebox7367]

I think that it is rotationally symmetrical so that you can put it in a flagpole without checking if its upside down

[@iqandreas]

+Jomari Ramos Nope, one edge of the flag's cloth has to be perforated or have a "seam" which you use pull rope through or mount it in some other way to the flag pole. The rotational symmetry is a design decision, not a "pragmatic" decision.

[@aurelia8028]

it's not OCD that cause that in people OCD is an entirely different thing here lokk at this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_disorder

[@Jack-qj6gy]

Oh yeah I just noticed the rotational symmetry. Now it looks like a windmill :D

[@mihirbindal4012]

Arthur Hu , I see a chemistry student here.

[@lasakau272]

Welsh dragon actually has the invisibility cloak on, so you can’t see it on the flag

[@feynstein1004]

In case anyone's curious, the music is Thatched Villagers by Kevin Macleod

[@bujuwaj8842]

My saviour

[@calamaricalamity6757]

.msidde jnatjmks

[@bujuwaj8842]

@@calamaricalamity6757 ?

[@calamaricalamity6757]

@@bujuwaj8842 ah, i tried to say "many thanks" but my lights were out, and i couldn't be bothered to fix it

[@bujuwaj8842]

@@calamaricalamity6757 xD

[@MrFrosty90s]

Man the music is so damn upbeat if I was drunk I'll start dancing to it.

[@hamyutsmeseta3841]

😏😏👍👍☑️

[@78masternate]

My guy 😆👍🏾

[@stopcoercingmeintousinggoo5614]

this is the shortest and to the point documentary on youtube well done :)

[@Fsast9707]

Woah 7 years old comment Are you still active, will you please reply

[@TheVayeight]

I think the union jack needs the welsh dragon. Think of how awesome a flag with a dragon would look on it. Plus then my fellow americans would know what it is. What is the union jack? You know the flag with the dragon on it. Ow that flag. Ending ignorance with dragons.

[@TBustah]

I think most Americans know the Union Jack when they see it, even if they sometimes call it an "English flag" or otherwise get it wrong. Between world history and colonial history, It's all over the place in our textbooks. It's pretty iconic. Heck, it's even in Hawaii's flag. It's the Welsh flag that most of us probably don't know, or rather we don't know the country that it belongs to. I love history and geography, and study them way more than most of my countrymen, and even I wouldn't know which flag was theirs without that dragon.

[@aetherx2519]

Wales is already represented in the English cross. Putting a dragon would a) mean representing Wales twice and b) attract too much attention to the Wales part of the flag (which is ironic since England is the largest and most populated part of the UK (sorry Wales!)).

[@CallMeAdam]

the welsh part of england is basically ignored they just a small space on the united kingdom they might aswell join england there that small

[@aetherx2519]

That's ridiculous. Oh, why don't we merge all the -stans back together since they're all the same country, really? Australia and New Zealand, isn't that basically the same place? What about all those African countries, let's just smash them all together! Why don't we just make Mexico and all the other Latin American countries one big country? It's not like all of those places have totally different cultures, peoples and history. Sarcasm aside... Even though I don't think Wales needs to be represented again on the Union Jack, you're going way too far.

[@stuckinthemud9226]

aetherX Well, lets take your argument and reverse it. If all black African countries joined together maybe they could work together to solve some of their economic and social problems. Maybe put a end to the tribal warfare that prevents them from climbing out of the misery that is there. Australia and New Zealand would be economically stronger and could you imagine a unified Latin America being a force to recon with. There is a reason that Europe is trying to unify Economic strength and stopping the devastating wars that have plague the continent. The U.S. almost became a bunch of little countries but didn't and now even if they do something idiotic the world still has to pay attention. Size does matter.

[@Fish_Sticks]

I feel weird not hearing grays voice

[@G1NZOU]

I agree, even though I'm Welsh and love the fact that we're one of only two countries in the world to have a dragon on our flag, the union flag looks fine as it is. Someone tried putting a dragon in the middle but it didn't look right.

[@kenbyan942]

I love your dragon flag bro. Looks cool. :)

[@tomsega]

It's amazing what a ubiquitous fashion symbol the Union Jack has becoming globally. Particularly here, in Japan, it's pretty much the most popular and likely symbol to see on a handbag or tshirt etc

[@tommycomedy7699]

Here in America we just put our own flag on everything.

[@Nakakapagpabagabagabag]

Here in the Philippines the rising sun flag (sometimes paired with anime) can be seen in many tricycles.

[@richardfrederick6009]

So it seems you know it's right side up when it's white side up.

[@ThatGirlWithTheCoffee]

+

[@simondezeeuw2042]

Richard Frederick white side up on the left* red side op on the right.

[@uallrite123]

If Scotland leaves the United Kingdom and the Union Jack becomes an ugly overglorified England Flag with half a St. Patrick's Saltire, will Australia, New Zealand, hell even Hawaii and all those British crown colonies have to change their Union Jack on the top left hand corner of their national flags.....?

[@TBustah]

I guess the commonwealth countries and crown colonies might change it, but I don't see Hawaii doing it. I don't know if you know the story of Hawaii's flag, but it was never actually a part of the empire, and it's part of America now. They wouldn't really be obligated to change anything.

[@PattakaK]

I was thinking the same thing, if scotland takes the blue from the flag, will all those other flags become the past of the japanese empire?

[@uallrite123]

Which imperial Japanese flag are you exactly thinking of?

[@GreatToastMigration]

I hope not...

[@jhfh3112]

They didn't change it when most of Ireland left (the cross of St Patrick represents the whole of Ireland) so I doubt they'll change it if scotland leave.

[@DuffPaddy1]

Is it me or is this the greatest piece of music that has ever been created? It has everything!

[@carlosimon21]

Short and direct. A clear and simple explanation of the origins of the Union Jack flag.

[@pingu2921]

Man i didn't know how the Union Jack flag was made, YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!😆

[@gaconnochie]

The original flag was designed to represent the fact that Scotland and England shared the same monarch. However it was later adopted as an official flag to represent the union of the Scottish and English parliaments (ie when the two kingdoms became one called GB) and was later modified with the union of GB with Ireland. Hence the current flag represents the union of firstly the Scottish and English parliaments then the union of the GB and Irish parliaments.

[@snakey934Snakeybakey]

i watched this video several times just for the music

[@ezambium1]

Yea do you know what the music is?

[@snakey934Snakeybakey]

Neil Young no, do you?

[@ezambium1]

No!!! Lol im trying to find it

[@andrawsy]

It's called thatched villagers ;)

[@ezambium1]

OMG thank you so much. My students wanted to know so they can use it in their project. You're a super star!!!!

[@joeliousames8074]

You know what the best part of living in Switzerland is? Hand to pick just one but thier flag is a big plus.

[@ottawadrummer]

This is so cool, thanks for teaching me this. I can't believe I didn't know that the scot/english/irish flags were merged in to one...that's so cool. It's actually the best looking flag in the world imo.

[@ste6826]

The only bit missing is the Welsh St David’s flag (black with a diagonal gold cross) although never incorporated into the GB (and later UK) flag as it was already assumed to be part of England by 1604. However if you go further back to pre-1066 there were many former regional kingdom flags including Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex, that were also never incorporated into the GB/UK flags.

[@Pablo260492]

I love this Flag. The most beautiful flag in the world.

[@coreymcveigh9917]

its fucking ugly

[@irishtrapper9149]

corey mcveigh Nah, it's hot. Red white and blue all the way.

[@HarryBalzak]

It is a good flag, but there are many that are objectively as good if not better. Subjectively I submit the flag of the state of New Mexico. So simple, yet so unique. Once you see it you know it for life. The UK flag is a bit too busy for me, but its history and the way the flags add up is very cool.

[@irishtrapper9149]

Harry Balzak Well, I suppose it's a matter of opinion. I see your point..but this is a country flag not a city. I'll check out that New Mexico flag.

[@gognub]

@@coreymcveigh9917 Salty American detected

[@31ll087]

I wonder how many British patriots have been flying an upsidedown union jack.

[@carlacarlacarla-]

the music he's using for uk or medieval age related videos is so cute i wanna download to my ipod

[@Uasaapp]

I cant stop replaying the video because of the music... HELP!!

[@famoterlhh4993]

+Nicolás Recalde me too

[@brycew9583]

+Lee Hong Hui Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod

[@Agustx0]

+Bryce W thx

[@543atomic]

Fact: The real name is the union flag. It's only called the Union Jack when it's on a boat.

[@Tulaenelorto]

fuck the Pirate Flag.

[@clangerbasher]

Actually is it is only a Union Jack when it is flying from the jackstaff (the flagpole at the bow) of a commissioned Royal Naval vessel. Sometimes you will see flags on ships that are a Union flag surrounded by a white border; these are Pilot or Civil Jacks.

[@clangerbasher]

Tulaenelorto That's a nice flag. Is that the one you used before you became a wholly owned subsidiary of the EU? How many punts did it cost you? Whoops sorry you don't even have your own currency anymore do you? Nice to independence is working out so well for you.....

[@BritishTeaLover]

Nope. It's been referred to as the Union Jack in several royal and civil documents, and the Flag Institute, the people who come up with the rules regarding how the flag is flown, and everything flag related, state that both union flag, and Union Jack are acceptable, therefore your point is moot -> "the national flag of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories is the Union Flag, which may also be called the Union Jack." Also, the Admiralty refers to it as the Union Jack in 1902, and parliament did the same in 1908. As well as it being referred to as a 'jack' pre dates flags flyign from the jackstaff being referred to as such. It was likely that the naming happened the other way round than how you think it did.

[@Barbreck1]

SWOS SOWS Oh look... no mention of the word Jack.. I wonder why?! History of the flag: 1606-1801 When King James VI of Scotland accepted the English throne, he created the United Kingdom of Great Britain. However, the national flags of England and Scotland continued to be, respectively, the red St George's cross and the white St Andrew's cross. The king decided that a new flag should be created to represent this new kingdom. On 12 April 1606 this proclamation was issued: By the King: “Whereas, some differences hath arisen between Our subjects of South and North Britaine travelling by Seas, about the bearing of their Flagges: For the avoiding of all contentions hereafter. We have, with the advice of our Council, ordered: That from henceforth all our Subjects of this Isle and Kingdome of Great Britaine, and all our members thereof, shall beare in their main-toppe the Red Crosse, commonly called St. George’s Crosse, and the White Crosse, commonly called St. Andrew’s Cross, joyned together according to the forme made by our heralds, and sent by Us to our ‘Admerall’ to be published to our Subjects: and in their fore-toppe our Subjects of South Britaine shall weare the Red Crosse onely as they were wont, and our Subjects of North Britaine in their fore-toppe the White Crosse onely as they were accustomed”. - 1606 After consideration of many designs, the one posted is as close to the original accepted by the heralds as representative of the new kingdom. This is the first known reference to the Union Flag. Although the original design referred to has been lost (scrubbed from public view), it is this design which, with the addition of the St Patrick's cross, forms the basic design of the British Union Flag today. Thus the proclamation above determines categorically that the realm known as 'The United Kingdom of Great Britain' existed prior to 1707, both in name and in heraldry.

[@YangSing1]

Why isn't wales on here?

[@ARLKoS]

Where could you put it? It's full! Plus if you look right at the start of the video, the 'Kingdom of England' includes what today is Wales and the flag was made before Wales came along.

[@Paranomasia12]

Wales was only ever unified as a Principality of the Kingdom of England

[@ARLKoS]

I should have put at the end of that "(as a country)."

[@gaconnochie]

AOR KoS Wales was conquered by Edward I of England at the end of the 13thC just before he failed to do the same to Scotland. Wales was then legally incorporated into the English kingdom itself by Henry VIII in the mid 16thC. So when Scotland and England united in 1707 Wales was officially part of England and already reprsented on the flag by the Cross of St George. It was only in the 1960s when the UK parliament formally recognised Wales as completely seperate from England. Though everyone kind of knew it was anyway.

[@blazerboy3000]

On top of all that, the flag of wales is a dragon, so it would kinda... stand out

[@ossiah_i]

Seeing that this flag is just a combination of the flags from each original country blew my mind.

[@Khilo.]

This is such an amazing piece for 7 years ago.

[@XandWacky]

If Scotland gains independence, what would the Union Jack look like?

[@TheGrimReaper54321]

Look up the union jack without the St.Andrew Satire. It looks weird.

[@KorZen10]

1. The blue background would be removed (for Scotland). 2. The diagonal stripes would change from white (for Scotland) and red to all red for Northern Ireland. 3. The top part of the background will be white for England and the bottom will be green for Wales.

[@dnxls_]

You're all wrong, nothing would change, even if Scotland got its independence, which is never going to happen. Nice to hypothesise about though.

[@TheGrimReaper54321]

ugh, yes it would you tool, the St.Andrews flag is on the Union flag to represent the Union with England, if they leave the Union, so does their flag...

[@dnxls_]

TheGrimReaper54321 You seem very certain of this. Do you have any evidence? Because I do for the contrary.

[@NWRTales1221]

Also, the reason why there are two Irelands, its because there was a war between Irish & British for independence. Eventually, the North of Ireland split from the Republic and remained with the british.

[@Axelthemage]

I love how England gets put over the top of everything else and is the only one that dosent get part of it covered up.

[@uafchris]

+Axelthemage Well England has 83% of the population and the rest of the UK is basically the bits of the British isles that England conquered.

[@alanmcewing2067]

+FatSausage1759 A fair bit of the rest but hardly all. How often do people have to be reminded that Scotland and England entered into a union to create the kingdom of Great Britain. Not a conquest a union. Wales, yes it was conquered by England. Northern Ireland complex but also not really. Latterly the six counties kind of voted to opt out of the opt out, so sort of voted to remain part of current UK of own volition You may have much the biggest percentage of population but Scotland has about a third of the land mass of current UK so to say "the rest" bit of a stretch

[@alanmcewing2067]

+Axelthemage And that did cause some resentment at time of original union flag being commissioned, and there was an alternate Scottish version flown in Scotland for a time that had the St Andrews saltire superimposed over the Cross of St George.If you look at some of the other ideas for the new flag designed for James VI you can see we did well to get some sort of parity!

[@stephencrompton4352]

most of the white bits get covered up

[@andrewjackson4224]

Apart from, you know, the rest of the flag?

[@Morec0]

... This is FAR more interesting than I feel it should be...

[@ukredman]

Great fun fact, they should show this in schools to teach kids if they dont already

[@siratthebox]

When Scotland leaves us, we need to put welsh dragons on our new union flag.

[@x_8643]

siratthebox no thanks, the Welsh flag is basically the vexiological equivalent of a middle age man buying a sports car, you think it looks cool, but all it really says is insecurity

[@abtinh867]

The flag of St David is much more likely to be represented on the Union flag than the dragon

[@meeseeksguy2057]

I think Wales will probably leave with or shortly after Scotland so there would be no need.

[@berling32]

Thank you. I love 🇬🇧

[@JustMe-um8zp]

Send this to the Extra History channel, they've already messed up the british flag many times (never on purpose).

[@Ryan-yq6do]

Just to mention that if you have the Union flag or jack (depending if your at sea) upside down it means that you are in distress.

[@mcmneverreadsreplys7318]

Simple, Straight forward, Easy to understand. But you can't dance to it - no much anyway. I give it an 8,

[@vsh1998]

A 42 second video which has a 46 second ad.

[@Ohmz_i]

background music: Kevin MacLeod ~ Thatched Villagers no need to thank :)

[@semmf6303]

7 years later and. Thank you

[@lekevire]

thank

[@MertsyUniverseGaming]

It's actually only called the Union Jack if it's being flown at sea. Everywhere else it's called the Union Flag

[@LocoMotionOfficial]

That's what I thought

[@MertsyUniverseGaming]

LocoMotion WELL YOU THOUGHT RIGHT!!!

[@LocoMotionOfficial]

MertsyUniverse YAY ME!

[@NT-fb6ow]

Well... everyone calls it the Union Jack no matter where it is, apart from the odd sailor.

[@alannar.8701]

Not actually true. It can correctly be called the Union Jack anywhere, but traditionally it was only called the Union Jack at sea.

[@andiemorgan961]

As Wales is not represented, there have been suggestions to put a white square at the centre point of the red cross and place a small red dragon in it. The only thing is that the Union Flag is made up of the flags that represent the patron saints of the 'unified' countries. Wales' patron saint is St David. The flag is black with a yellow/ gold diagonal cross.

[@sparkling_h2o895]

Yep...

[@kathleenparker25]

Thanks for explaining the Union Jack

[@peanuts2105]

The flag of the largest empire to ever walk the earth

[@annoyingkraken]

I find the upside-down features for flags fascinating. In the Philippines, in peace time, our flag should be displayed with the blue band above the red band. In a state of war, we display our flag to have the red band above the blue band. Everything else is symmetric, even the stars. A real creative and neat piece of work, our flag.

[@pyrosorus9880]

wow thats really cool that they change the flag based on the state of the country

[@annoyingkraken]

@@pyrosorus9880 Yeah. Never forgot that neat little detail when I learned it in school as an elementary student. We just flip the flag over longitudinally right along the center. It's perfectly symmetric, besides the colors. :)

[@СтаниславТополь]

Wow thats pretty cool) hope you guys dont ever have to use it

[@TheDanksNewGroove]

Now if Scotland secedes...

[@theonlylampshade]

We didn't change the flag when Ireland seceded, I don't think we are likely to change our flag as it is one of the most iconic flags in the world.

[@TheDanksNewGroove]

theonlylampshade Well Northern Ireland stayed so it would make more sense to keep the flag the same then, but if ALL of Scotland goes then idk

[@theonlylampshade]

The Union Flag was created for the union of the crowns, which predated political union by centuries. There is no real constitutional precedent for changing the flag, Northern Ireland's flag isn't the Cross of Saint Patrick. Additionally, I can point to places such as Hawwai - a US State - which has the Union Flag in it's canton. That was never changed despite the severing of ties with Britain. Do you envisage Australia, New Zealand etc all adjusting their flags to fit our new one?

[@TheStupidestGenius]

They won't.

[@leonardgoldstein4504]

theonlylampshade Hawaii never was a part of Britain. The two, however, did have trade and diplomatic ties among other relations during Hawaii's independent period. The Hawaiian state flag is actually the national flag of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It was created under the reign of King Kamehameha with later modifications as to the number of stripes and color scheme. It was designed as a compromise combining the UK and US flags, both countries having interest in the Hawaiian Islands, so as not to draw Hawaii into international conflict by flying the UK or US flag, offensive in the eyes of the other. The Union Jack in the canton is, of course, British, the stripes come from the US flag with the number representing individual islands and the color scheme coming from both the UK and US flags. The Kingdom of Hawaii flag was used subsequently in Hawaii as the flag of the Republic of Hawaii, the US Territory of Hawaii and presently the State of Hawaii.

[@AlienEntity90]

Corner stone chief… bless the sealing

[@ivancore560]

2021 sends its regards

[@ikeknights]

Why isn't the flag of Wales included in the Union Jack? They're part of the UK also.

[@antispeed]

Nobody likes Wales :D

[@Daisythecowsisterday]

Unworthy, of being part of Greatness

[@Miganto1]

It was already part of the Kingdom of England when the flags were merged. We weren't as friendly back then to incorporate other countries flags :)

[@karlslicher8520]

We still don't class the Welsh as full evolved humans :p Joking aside, the Welsh dragon is used a lot in connection with the monarchy and government. Even Charlie is the prince of wales.

[@dwightwilliams5892]

Karl Slicher Nor they the English in turn, or so it sometimes appears to outsiders.

[@danthomas1135]

Because putting something to do with Wales in the union flag was too hard

[@x_8643]

Dan Thomas or would've made the whole flag ugly

[@homosapienssapiens19]

But you have Wales too. WHY IS THERE NO DRAGON ON YOUR FLAG?

[@EightThreeEight]

Wales didn't get added to the flag after they became separate from England.

[@oriselkirk2726]

Because Wales was a part of the Kingdom of England to begin with

[@IdRatherNotHaveAHandleThankYou]

@flip inheck Did you watch the video?

[@IdRatherNotHaveAHandleThankYou]

@flip inheck I did watch it. Ireland is represented by Saint Patrick's cross. Northern Ireland has no official flag, so Saint Patrick's cross is what represents it. 0:11

[@IdRatherNotHaveAHandleThankYou]

Sounds like you didn't watch the video, @flip inheck

[@MrMendicant]

Agreed. It's so sad, it's got so much potential.

[@ossie200]

rip prince philip. i wonder when the queen is going

[@atticusshadowmore3263]

Dont forget the Dai Gurren version

[@LukeTevarin]

+Simon The Digger SHIMON?!!

[@atticusshadowmore3263]

Joshua Morris Yup

[@LukeTevarin]

:'D

[@daniel117100]

+Atticus Shadowmore brother

[@eli53973]

0:15 the perfect flag Imo, I wish they kept it that way :(

[@benlonghurst7777]

Yes but the Scots kicked up a fuss because it covered the St Andrew's.

[@dragonkingofthestars]

so how come there is no bit of wales on the flag?

[@melodyclark1944]

It was inside the Kingdom of England.

[@dnxls_]

It *is

[@timholzer193]

Wales wasnt there at about 1700/1800

[@charliesummers5623]

what

[@reemademashki7656]

And that’s all I need

[@TonySpike]

Straightforward video Except its called the Union Flag ...its only called Union Jack when flown from the Jackstaff of a ship

[@CRAZEDDUCKling]

It's only called the Union Jack when flown at sea. Otherwise it is the Union Flag.

[@scaper8]

Really? I did not know that, I thought "Union Jack" was the common, all around name.

[@skysailor124]

You are quoting Doctor Who.

[@skysailor124]

Venky Wank "The Jolly Rodger" was the name of Captain Hook's Ship.

[@dokirb]

scaper8 Union Jack is the commonly accepted name. It was originally called the Royal Flag of Union with the term 'Union Jack' used by the Admiralty when flown from the 'Jack staff' on the bow of a war ship. However in 1902 the Admiralty declared that both are correct terms whether on land or at sea and in 1908 Parliament declared it to be the National flag of the United Kingdom, Crown dependencies and overseas territories. so this argument is pointless and from a legal standpoint null and void.

[@tompugh5566]

Not to-be nick picking but it's technically the union flag It's only a union jack when used on a ship

[@where2nextbuddy]

There's no laws or regulations that say it's only called union jack when flown from a ship. So while technically the term originated from being flown on a ship, people can call it the Union Jack whenever and wherever they want.

[@alanj9391]

Wrong

[@wowwow4389]

Why can't 0:15 be the flag

[@KorZen10]

IKR

[@xxxdumbwordstupidnumberxxx4844]

Not really. It's probably just to save money on getting new flags. Northern Ireland probably wouldn't object, and the Republic doesn't even use St. Patrick's cross in almost any imagery, with the three mainly used symbols being the ROI Flag, the Harp, and the shamrock (though not an official symbol of Ireland), and, if you said four instead of three, Guinness.

[@no-xs8bk]

Cause eire

[@abtinh867]

basically, when they were designing the flag to include ireland, they decided to use that, but Scotland didn't very much like it, as it covered most of their part of the flag, so parliament was forced to change it so half of the angled stripes are Scottish and the other half irish whilst also keeping a border.

[@l200jjk]

QI - This is actually the "Union Flag". It is only a "Union Jack" when flown from the jack mast of a naval ship (that's where the term union jack comes from) although both names have become synonymous these days. Just an interesting bit of trivia that I'm surprised CGP didn't mention.

[@alanj9391]

Possibly because he/she knows better.

[@firewordsparkler]

I actually had no idea that it wasn't called the Union Jack! Good to know, considering I'm moving there in a few weeks...

[@alisonmallon5655]

it is only called the union Jack when it is on a boat at sea other wise it is called the Union flag.

[@JasonPunani]

no mention of the Christian Symbolism. The Union Jack has Three Saint Flags.... St George - England St Andrew - Scotland St Patrick - Ireland

[@abtinh867]

@iTotalReaper right

[@vis_18]

Me: Oh I already knew this Also me: Wait there’s an asymmetry?

[@KirksCORNER-1983]

Wow I never knew it was Scotlands Flag added in!!

[@vanDaalstad]

I love these kinds of flags with some meaning behind the weird design, I can write pages of history behind my own fantay flag.

[@Fsast9707]

Woah 7 years old comment Are you still active, will you please reply

[@johnlewis4438]

Correction .......It is the 'Union Flag' .The 'Union Jack' is flown only from the mast of a warship.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

The claim is disputed.

[@soc1226]

You're going to have to update this soon since Scotland is hopefully leaving the UK and in time the rest of Ireland. Tiocfaidh ár lá.

[@WelshHDGamer]

As a Welshman, I hope that Scotland votes yes. I wladgarwyr yr Alban, pledleisiwch y dewis cywir! Ie!

[@WelshHDGamer]

mcbrando Who are you calling an IRA slogan saying bastard?

[@73reider]

WelshHDGamer - Fifa, Minecraft & Gaming Content! The author of the comment Shane o`c! He is IRA slogan saying bastard.....

[@soc1226]

mcbrando Lets see we have the IRA while you have/had the UVF, UDA, Black & Tans, Auxiliaries, UFF and much more.....Wow that's fair. Oh right anybody who wants their country free are terrorists right? Sure Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Fidel Castro and more were terrorists weren't they? So do your history before you try to take over the world again you KKK supporting scumbag. If you really hate the Irish get the fuck out of our country, it's not we want your type of people in it.

[@73reider]

mandela, gandhi or castro never murdered defenceless women or children...

[@BenjaminJex]

Good to know!

[@thatreddude8796]

A jack of all trades this one

[@safe-keeper1042]

Why has this never occured to me.

[@MultiMaikimaik]

How have i never seen this video?! Ive watched all of greys videos multiple times and now suddenly it comes up? I thought it was a new one. What?

[@murrayscott9147]

The union flag was created before the acts only union in 1606 by King James the IV

[@greebo7857]

Best channel on YT... Just don't ask me Y.

[@Shkk]

Fun fact :- there are still countries outside the UK who have union jack on their flags .

[@Ian-nl9yd]

Gotta love how the yellow-on-black cross of Wales was just kicked aside.

[@jayjay-bz3rr]

I never knew this

[@willchangename.5308]

part 2 . a once-wealthy Roman Catholic family, which had been dispossessed of its lands. Among his uncles was Daniel Charles, Count O'Connell, an officer in the Irish Brigades of the French Army, a famous aunt was Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill while Sir James O'Connell, 1st Baronet, was his younger brother. Under the patronage of his wealthy bachelor uncle Maurice "Hunting Cap" O'Connell, he studied at Douai in France, and was admitted as a barrister to Lincoln's Inn in 1794, transferring part 2

[@DRDFOX]

Ha thank you, I missed that one! If I am going to cut some slack to the poster though (and ignore the present tense in which he describes the use of jacks), given the actual jackstaff seems to be an eighteenth century invention and the first George cross ensigns on the stern of ships didn't appear until a couple of decades into the 1600s, it is possible that jacks could have been flown from the stern before these conventions :).

[@lemmonsinmyeyes]

the fact that we dont get a welsh dragon on there is a real shame

[@davidm5674]

Who else thinks the flag at 0:15 looks better than the actual one?

[@ScottIsebrand]

Kudos to the video's creator for noting that the Union Jack (a.k.a. the Union Flag) does indeed have a right-side-up and an upside-down. In the language of vexillology, the flag lacks "reflection symmetry" because of its "counterchange of saltires"-the two saltires ("X-crosses" as it were) being the X-shaped Irish red-on-white Cross of Saint Patrick and Scotland's X-shaped white-on-blue Cross of Saint Andrew.

[@Chrissiehelp]

And all that jazz. I just want to know that I'm flying it the right way up!

[@LukeVsLife]

This video is correct. Back in 1707 Wales was part of England, this is why there is no reference to the Welsh flag in the Union Flag.

[@redwolf6213]

I will never see the union jack the same way again.

[@RealNotOrrio]

wales: you are getting on the flag

[@DRDFOX]

I agree with you, that is largely how the consitution of the UK arises via accretion, precedence and practice.

[@angga2oioi]

if only the welsh dragon appear on the union jack, people wouldn't have to worry which side is up

[@nathansmo]

Thank you for posting such interesting videos.

[@ScottTheWoz_]

And for some reason wales was never added...

[@jmace2424]

*Video thumbnail shows the flag not on a ship* therefore it is in fact it should in fact be titled "History of the Union Flag"