There are likely some vexillologists in here with some good insights.
It's mildly interesting that:
* the Union Jack combines the English, Scottish, and Irish flags (a cross and two saltires)
* a few national flags (AU, NZ, Fiji, Tuvalu) include the Union Jack in the canton (upper pole side)
* in a way, these flags have three "grandfathers"
I wonder if any flags have four or more generations that are visible
I did like the idea that the Scottish cross would have to be removed from the UK flag if they seceded. :D
The state flag of Hawaii also includes the Union Flag in the top left corner.
From the British standpoint, with one exception, including the three elements in the flag makes eminent sense because the "United" part of the name "United Kingdom" refers to what the Brits regard as four countries—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. (If you've flown from Europe to the USA on British Airways, you may have heard them remind Brits to put "UK" in the country field on the customs declaration form, not "England" or "Scotland," because CBP won't accept the latter.) That, in turn, raises the exception—Wales is not reflected on the flag and it's a matter of some annoyance to some Welsh folks. A common suggestion is to include the Welsh dragon at the center of the Union Flag. (I think, though I'm not certain, the practical reason why Wales isn't on there is that England had essentially conquered Wales several centuries prior to the 1707 Act of Union creating the United Kingdom.)
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 28, 2024, 09:26:07 AMThe state flag of Hawaii also includes the Union Flag in the top left corner.
As did the flag of the Kingdom of Hawaii before it.
Hawaii post-unification started off firmly within the British sphere of influence. British military advisors helped Kamehameha the Great annex Hawaii's other kingdoms. Later, when an over-eager Brit sought to annex Hawaii, the British government reversed that action and restored Hawaii's independence. Only much later did Hawaii slide into the U.S. orbit.
Quote from: oscar on April 28, 2024, 10:58:12 AMQuote from: 1995hoo on April 28, 2024, 09:26:07 AMThe state flag of Hawaii also includes the Union Flag in the top left corner.
As did the flag of the Kingdom of Hawaii before it.
Hawaii post-unification started off firmly within the British sphere of influence. British military advisors helped Kamehameha the Great annex Hawaii's other kingdoms. Later, when an over-eager Brit sought to annex Hawaii, the British government reversed that action and restored Hawaii's independence. Only much later did Hawaii slide into the U.S. orbit.
And, thus, the Hawaii state flag includes the British Union Jack in its design.
Mike
The presidential flag of Russia has the gold double eagle superimposed on the tricolor that is the national flag. The double eagle goes back to the Byzantines and to the bronze age before that.