The Union ‘Jack’
The ‘jack’ is a type of flag that specifically denotes the nationality of a sea vessel, or maybe even better said, a naval vessel. Jacks are typically hoisted on naval type flagpoles, indeed jack staffs. Jacks are also used only when sea vessels are in the harbor.
The earlier jacks is use were very similar to the flags that were flown out at sea by merchant and naval vessels. The St. George’s cross was an element that was first applied to a jack on ships that sailed out to participate in war until the early 1600s. It was this design that very much influenced other designs of jacks around the world, especially in other European countries and nations in America.
Other flag types flown from typical flagpoles include ‘rank flags’. These flags are flown on behalf of those that enjoy substantial rank in their respective branches or organizations of the military. This is especially true in the USA, for the highest-ranking officers (2) in the US Navy.
Finland, for example, has applied a similar concept and so do Norway and another nation in the eastern part of Europe. Their highest-ranking officer(s) enjoys a representing ensign, indeed a war ensign in or near their office. At times, the national flag is flown with an emblem in the middle.
The jack flag at times is mistaken for the Union Jack flag. Until the 1600s, and likely since the 1200s, the English banner or flag was white and showed red colored Saint George’s cross. The flag of Scotland however, was colored blue and feature the white colored cross of Saint Andrew. The Union flag is a combination of the Saint George’s cross, the cross of Saint Andrew and the cross of Saint Patrick.
The Union flag is often called the Union Jack, which is the national flag of the U.K. The official proportions of the Union Jack, in terms of the national flag and the naval ensign, are one to two. The two names for this standard have always been a subject of controversy. When the design of the flag was first introduced by the then ruling king, it was called the British flag. No specific name was ever given in the proclamation. Some people in the past as well as the present have called it simply ‘the jack’ also.
It is not uncommon to see the British flag raised on flagpoles other than British flagpoles.
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