The British flag, also known as the Union Jack, is uneven due to heraldic rules prioritizing Scotland over Northern Ireland.
The asymmetry of the Union Jack stems from the combination of the flags of England (St. George's Cross), Scotland (St. Andrew's Saltire), and Northern Ireland (St. Patrick's Saltire). The specific arrangement reflects the seniority and heraldic precedence given to Scotland.
Here's a breakdown:
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The Combination: The Union Jack isn't simply a layering of the three flags. The white diagonal cross of St. Andrew (Scotland) is placed over part of the red diagonal cross of St. Patrick (Northern Ireland).
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Heraldic Precedence: The reason for this arrangement is rooted in heraldry, where the dexter (right) side is considered a position of honor. Scotland, being the senior nation in the union, takes precedence. Therefore, the white saltire of St. Andrew is always positioned above the red saltire of St. Patrick in the upper hoist (the corner closest to the flagpole) and lower fly (the corner furthest from the flagpole). This is visible as you turn the flag clockwise.
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Asymmetry as a Result: This intentional overlap and precedence create an asymmetrical design. One diagonal direction shows more of the white St. Andrew's cross, while the other diagonal direction shows more of the red St. Patrick's cross.
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Upside-Down Identification: Because of the unevenness, the Union Jack can be flown upside down. This is considered disrespectful, and knowing the correct orientation can prevent accidental misrepresentation. The wider white diagonal should be above the thinner red diagonal in the top left corner closest to the flagpole.
Therefore, the Union Jack is deliberately uneven to signify the heraldic prominence of Scotland within the United Kingdom, a decision resulting in a flag that can be flown upside down if not oriented properly.
