The British Flag and Other Symbols
The British flag is called the “Union Jack.” It is really three flags on top of each other. The red cross on white, the St. George’s cross, is the English flag. St. George is the patron saint of England. He was a soldier famous for saving Princess Cleolinda from being eaten by a dragon. He wounded the dragon and took it back to the city of Silene on a lead like a dog. St. George’s Day is celebrated on April, 23. (St. George is also the patron saint of Germany, Portugal, and Greece)
The white X-cross on blue, the St. Andrew’s cross, is the Scottish flag. St. Andrew, a fisherman, was one of the 12 apostles who followed Jesus Christ. Paintings of St. Andrew often show him being killed on an X-shaped cross. St. Andrew’s Day is celebrated on November, 30. (He is the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia).
The red X-cross on white, the St. Patrick’s cross, is the former flag of Ireland. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was born about 390 AD. He converted the Irish to Christianity and is supposed to have got rid of all snakes in Ireland. St. Patrick’s day is celebrated on March, 17.
The Welsh flag is not included into the “Union Jack”, probably because it’s of a different style. Its upper half is white, while its lower part is green, and the flag shows a red dragon. The Welsh patron saint is St. David. He started a number of monasteries in the country. Paintings of St. David normally show him with a dove on his shoulder. His relics are now in St. David’s Cathedral in Wales. St. David’s day is celebrated on March, 1.
British people like to have fun with their flag. They put it on biscuit tins, party hats and plastic bags. But unlike Americans, most British people don’t like to talk about or show patriotic feelings, which is considered embarrassing. You’ll see the Union jack on top of government offices in London, but not on shops or in people’s homes.
Speaking about other symbols, the symbol of England is the red rose, which is rooted in the 15th century conflicts between two royal dynasties: the House of Lancaster and the House of York. Because the symbols of the two dynasties were the red (the Lancastrians) and the white (the Yorkists) roses, the conflicts had later been named the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) by the 19th century writer Walter Scott.
The Scottish symbol is the thistle (чертополох). There is a legend that tells about ancient times when Scandinavian invaders landed somewhere on the eastern coast of Scotland. The Scots gathered their armed forces behind the river Tay. Wishing to take the Scots by surprise, the enemy crossed the river and took off their boots to make the least possible noise while moving on land. But then one of the enemy men accidentally steeped on a thistle, which made him shriek with pain. This was enough of an alarm for the Scots to start the fight and defeat the invaders. So as an acknowledgement for the timely help, this plant was made the Scottish national symbol.
The Irish national symbol are the shamrock (трилистник) and red hand. There is a legend, which explains why there is a picture of a red hand on the Irish coat of arms (герб).
It happened 3 thousand years ago. Two Viking chieftains went with their men in two big boats to Ireland. The first chieftain’s name was Heremon O’Neill, the name of the other one is unknown. They decided that the first of them who would touch the Irish land would be the king of it. At last they were near the Irish coast. The two boats were going faster and faster. But Heremon O’Neill’s boat was slower than that of the other chieftain. When the boats were quite near the land, O’Neill quickly cut off his right hand and threw it over to the land. His hand touched the ground and he became the king of Ireland. That is why there is a picture of a hand on the coast of arms of Ireland.
The Welsh symbols are the leek (лук-порей). Once a year the Welsh people wear the leek symbol to celebrate the day of their patron saint. Another Welsh national symbol is the daffodil (нарцисс), as it is believed that this flower blooms on the 1st of March, St. David’s Day. one more symbol is the red dragon on the Welsh flag.
There is also a British symbol, which is the royal arms. It is a personal symbol of the British king or queen, consisting of a lion and a unicorn holding a shield, on which other symbols represent England, Scotland and Ireland. The words ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ (‘shame on anyone who think badly of this’) - the motto of the Order of the Garter, are written on a belt round the shield. Underneath are the words ‘Dieu et mon droit’ (the personal motto of the king or queen). The lion, which is associated with England stands for bravely, while the unicorn, which symbolizes Scotland, means purity and nobleness.
