The Flags of the UK, England, and Scotand

 

The Union Jack, flag uniting the countries of the United Kingdom.

The Union Jack contains the flag of Scotland. 

The Union Jack combines the flags of England, which football fans will recognize as the Red cross on a white background, with the flag of Scotland. (Plus the red saltire of St Patrick of Ireland. Wales was already united with England when the new flag adding Scotland, after the death of unmarried and childless Elizabeth I when the king of Scotland, James became the King of England as well.)

The flag of Scotland is the cross of St Andrew, a saltire (x shape) of white on blue. You will see this on buildings, alongside the Union Jack. Currently, in 2026, the Scottish flag may be flown on government buildings where there are two flagpoles alongside the Union Jack, but not allowed to replace or be put solo). 

Flags also appear on the front (bow) of a ship, as ships are not simply advertising their country but are required by law to show their country of origin by flying it on the flagstaff, a short pole or stick at the front. 

A more specific flag at the back, the ensign, is like a signature, at the back, the stern, higher on a flagpole, I presume so it can be seen from the front and all around, gives more detail, of the owner-operator, such as whether it is the royal navy or a commercial ship.

Useful Website

Wiki on flags

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Scotland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Jack

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltire

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Flags of England and the Union Jack

When I lived in Singapore, I was asked, "What is the difference between the Union Jack and the Flag of England?" 

The flag of England is a red cross. Like a plus sign, on a white background. It is just for England, not Wales to the West, not Scotland to the north, not Northern Ireland across the sea.

Bother the flag of England and the Union Jack flags are available all year from flag suppliers and party shops. But in all sizes in supermarkets, especially the England flag, when the English football team is playing a televised match.

For years the Americans flew their flag everywhere. In England, the union Jack was on souvenirs, especially in the tourist shops in central London. But now, in September 2025, the two flags are appearing on lamp posts in cities, towns, villages and from windows of private houses.

Why? Two reasons. Here is my attempt to summarize impartially. However, I suggest you go back to the sources and make up your own mind, Even if I have understood properly, and explained faily, as the situation is different in different places and different dates, amongt different sets of people, regarding flags hung in different places.

England has had undocumented immigrants arriving on boats from France. Escorted to safety by British boats. Housed in four star hotels by local councils. Maybe the UK admin are hoping to get votes. 

Not all the voters are happy. When British people cannot get accommodation. Whether it is a story carried by the newspapers of an immigrant complaining that two bedrooms are not large enough for eleven children, or large numbers of single men, and one a single man attacking a local female teenager, local people have been out with protests. 

So the UK flags seemed to be saying British people first, before foreigners. Some people, on the councils and elsewhere, said that the British flag was seen as intimidating by new arrivals, immigrants, as well as by long established immigrants. 

Another factor was the flying of a naitonal flag. Foreign flags, such as the Palestinian flag, had been flying all over the East End of London. But when members of the public put up the UK flags, the council took down the UK flags, on the grounds that they were not safe, or had not applied for, and had not been granted permission to fly flags on public property. 

This produced protests along the lines, of, what other country stops you flying your own national flag?

Teams of people started putting up flags.

The red cross of England was combined with other flags to make the union flag known as the Union Jack.

As a traveller, and having lived in Spain and Singapore, when I am in a country I am very happy to see the country's flag flying. Tourists buy tee-shirts with the flag of the country they have visited. I learn a few words of the language, enjoy the food, attempt to copy the intonation. I am sure many immigrants who come here are delighted to fly the flag of the country they have chosen to live in.

The flags were all waving from lamp posts along the M3 motorway from London to Brighton. They looked very jolly. Now that the saumer flowers are coming to an end, the flags are flying before the lights are lit to brighten the streets on the dark evenings.

 Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Jack

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/29/uk/st-george-flag-england-meaning-intl#:~:text=For%20some%2C%20the%20spectacle%20is,is%20it%20stoking%20in%20England%3F

Fancy Dress and Flags

 

Angela Lansbury in sequin dress in Union Jack, British flag, design, with co-ordinating hat.

I wore this for a second year running at an annual conference, Writers' Summer School at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, England. My outfit was popular. Half the people were different from last year and had not seen it before. I got lots of compliments and raised eyebrows and smiles.

The Wig

The wig is also in red, white, and blue.

The British people say fancy dress party. Americans say, a costume party. 

I did not wear it for the fancy dress party but for the last night dress up night. People asked me why I did not enter the fancy dress contest with it. The theme was fairy tales. I could not think of a fairy tale containing a Union Jack. I should have worn it anyway. When asked what was the fairy tale, I could have replied, "I don't know. I haven't written it yet. If you have any suggestions, please tell me!"

Useful Websites

https://www.fancydress.com/collections/usa-costumes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BRITANNIA-SEQUINNED-DRESS-FANCY-PATRIOTIC/dp/B

I like this version with sleeves, if you are willing to spend about 23 pounds and something pence.

Some reviews said the fabric ones were light weight or nearly see-through, but fine over a white tee shirt or underwear. Good for a one night event.

Useful Websites

https://www.fancydress.com/collections/usa-costumes

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Photo opportunities & Gifts at Heathrow & Airports - What's In The Caviar Shop? For kids?

 

Angela Lansbury sitting in the Union Jack chair at the Caviar shop, Heathrow Airport, 2022. Photo by Trevor Sharot.

Welcome and farewell Photos

At the airport, when departing and arriving, I look for a picture featuring the country. If you have your camera ready, you might catch a welcome sign or statue at the approach road to the airport.

Statues & Symbols

The approach road to terminal 2 at Heathrow has a globe. Symbol of the world. 

Fast Photos

By the time I had turned on my mobile phone, and dialled in my passwo rd to open it, I was too late. My phone has a bypass instant camera symbol for just this reason. I ought to practise using it. Outdoors, in daylight, in theory you get better pictures.

Chair Styles

However, at Heathrow this year, inside the terminal, I found this neat union Jack chair. I could not resist sitting in it for a photo. Later, looking at my photos, I see things which I did not notice at the time. The style is a traditional Victorian armchair with a buttoned back. But recovered with brightly coloured, modern fabric to give it a modern look.

For comfort, it has wide, curved, cloth covered, solid arms with wood at the vertical front. The legs are old-fashioned turned wood legs. 

National Flags

In Duty Free shops there were numerous souvenirs with union jacks. I usually take one photo of myself with the object, and one without anybody. 

Vertical Versus Horizontal

You might also take a vertical picture and a horizontal picture. A vertical picture would be good for a magazine cover or the opening slide in a presentation. But a horizontal picture might suit the top half of a pace or slide with text underneath. 

Souvenir Shop Opportunities

Most airports have bottles of wine, spirits, or non-alcoholic drink, biscuits, sweets (Americans say candies), fridge magnets, soft toys, and magazines.You might choose a newspaper or magazine or calendar to show the date, from a shop, or the flight arrival time

Security

I photograph products to buy, not photos which show the airport. Security might forbid taking photos in airports. 

What about your own caution? You might not want to reveal the layout of the airport, or the fact that you are away from home.

Cyprus Airport

On arrival in Cyprus we saw pictures of local attractions and a map. On leaving, we found shops selling wine bottles and rose sweets (not Turkish delight, not Greek, but Cypriot.

Heathrow's Caviar Shop

In the caviar shop you could buy wine and bottles of booze.

What about children, or grandchildren? I spotted some soft toys. Pink. Aquatic. What were they? Fish? Salmon? They cost ten pounds.

Other shops for families,  biscuit boxes with pictures of H M The Queen. shortbread biscuits. All kinds of food with wrapping depicting the Union Jack.

For Children

For children, the general big souvenir store area with magnets and soft toy bears. Hamleys shop. The Harry Potter shop. Before you enter the escalators to your departure gate, there is a children's play area.

Useful Websites

Caviar Shop

https://boutique.heathrow.com/en/retailers/caviar-house-and-prunier

Caftans Online

Lots of colourful caftans cost from under twenty dollars and postage the same again.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/oussum_shop

Union Jack Dress

 

Angela Lansbury wearing a Union Jack Tunic with sequin pattern on front. Selfie photo by Angela Lansbury.
 

The Union Jack top or tunic in sequins was in the centre of the shop at the front. It was eye catching. I had to have it.

Selecting Sequins

First, I felt the fabric. I had had a disaster with a red sequin top I bought cheaply in the same shop. I thought it would be fun for the last night gala farewell at my writer's conference. 

My husband hates sequins. He is a conservative. Like Prince Charles. He does not want to be outshone by his wife. Gaudy. Unsuitable. 

He won't be there. My chance to shine. Literally.

I like sequins. It was cheap I bought it. In a hurry. Didn't even try it on.

Sequin Failure

However, when I got the top home and tried it on, I found the sequins were large and sharp edged and uncomfortable. I thought they would tear any item I wore underneath on top. Not to mention my own skin.

Label

The label is Fever. The symbol is a red heart with a diagonal arrow through it pointing North west to south east. The size is S for small. Washing instruction are do not wash. Dyes may not be colourfast. 

The back is plain blue and stretchy. The sequinned front has a thin blue lining. 

Sequin Success

But the sequins in my Union Jack outfit were small and soft, flexible. Bright but not overwhelming.

Union Jack Pattern

The outfit carried a message. I am British. Ideal for when I am the language evaluator at a Toastmasters International meeting.

Size & Style

I bought this in St Luke's charity shop. Their trying on cubicle was open. You could try on three garments. 

I tried it on. Success It was tight. (And Light.) It fitted. Sideways on, it made me look slim.

Price Point Rationale In Second Hand Shops 

It was seven pounds. Why so much?

Later I heard another customer ask the assistant, "Are the items on this rail cheaper?"

The assistant replied, "If an item isn't selling, we reduce the price."

Useful Websites

Facebook Fever London Clothing 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Womens-Fever-London-Clothing/15724/bn_90965867Websites

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Union-Britannia-Costume-Sequin/dp/B01N155E4G/ref=asc_df_B01N155E4G/?tag=googshopuk-21&

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London's Flags Flying Prepared For the Platinum Jubilee - flag colours and colourful clothes

 

Flags flying for the Platinum Jubilee of H M The Queen. Photo by Trevor Sharot.

Walk around London or take a bus and you will see the jolly flags decorating the streets. My husband, Trevor, said, "They should be up all year. They are such fun."

Perhaps the flags will stay all year. The holiday is a four day break. This year is known as the Jubilee year.

This photo was taken in Regent Street from a bus. I was able to identify the location from the Kate Spade shop front. Seeing the Kate Spade name led me on a happy trail of discovery. 

Kate Spade Shops

First, I checked the Kate Spade locations. In London, Covent Garden, Regent Street, and Heathrow airport. Worldwide in the USA and Canada.

I love the colourful green and pink dresses with large jungly prints and matching handbags. A bit pricey for me. The website has a sale page. 

What to see and do in Northern Ireland

 

Northern Ireland. It is on the island of Ireland, but not part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Hence the flag flown from municipal buildings is the Union Jack, not the green, white and orange flag of Eire. 

Do you know anybody in or from Northern Ireland? If you fly ib, you might land at the George Best, Belfast airport. Named after the famous footballer from Northern Ireland. 

What to see and do? First and foremost is the Titanic Belfast Museum. Senior should book with them direct to get a discount. If you are not looking for the seniors discount, you might favour a tour which combines the Titanic museum with Giant's Causeway,  dramatic vertical rock formations out on the coast, or the Game of Thrones sites. Your tour might include a rope bridge, caves, the fairy wood with gnarled trees, and a chance to pose for photos with weapons such as swords. 

You could also take a taxi tour of the Peace murals.

Prince Charles took a trip there in March 2022.

Christmas Gifts From Travellers To Travellers, from Journals, Maps and Suitcase Covers, to Aprons, Chocolates, Key Rings, Umbrellas and More

My ebook on improve your English with alliteration is available for download from Amazon. 

English dictionaries of all sizes can be bought on line. 

If you are obsessed with Stonehenge or the Loch Ness Monster, or know somebody who is, then, failing a trip to visit the original and/or the museum, a key ring, poster or book is a cheaper alternative to stick inside a Christmas stocking for amusement. Or inside a Christmas cracker, the DIY sort.

I bought towelling bath mit from Primark with a Union Jack.

Gifts From England

Chocolate

Passing through Heathrow airport? We bought Terry's white chocolate  and orange bar. It tastes good. It's different.

Tesco Express in London often has cakes topped with Thornton chocolates.

Also look for Kendal Mint cake.

English Heritage

Union flag (union jack) golf umbrella, twenty five pounds (plus postage?) with navy outside and the Union Jack inside.

The cheapest union Jack tee-shirts are on ebay. Some of them have messy edges to the flag. You can buy tee-shirts with the flag large or small and the normal way up or sideways.

Stonehenge

Spinner key ring; oven glove. Socks. Bottle opener key ring. 

Book: I never knew that about England. Tells you where Wendy and Long John Silver are buried, and where King Alfred burned the cakes.

British food includes:

Bakewell tart, malt loaf. Cadbury's chocolates. Quality Street chocolates. Scones. Mrs Beeton recipe book. Fray Bentos tinned steak and kidney pudding. Marks & Spencers thick cut marmalade. Ginger in syrup in glass jars from supermarkets.

Harrods goods with their symbol. Toby jugs. Wedgwood crockery. (All cheaper in the January sales - which often start online as early as Boxing Day, Dec 26, or even Christmas Day, Dec 25.)

Diabetic and gluten free goods from pharmacies. 

Kosher and halal goods from supermarkets and speciality grocers.

Large numbers of Chinese and Indian (mainly Pakistani and North Indian) restaurants, some vegetarian restaurants. Indian sarees and items from areas such as Southall in London. Bit Chinese mall on the Edgware Road in London.

Numerous art galleries and museums and stately homes have shops. Sherlock Holmes items from their shop near baker street station.

UK flag mask

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/united-kingdom-union-jack-england-britain-flag-vintage-distressed-finish-design-turnpike.html?product=face-mask-flat

Winter Novelties

Paperweights which show falling snow when turned upside down.

Travel Novelties

You can buy a suitcase, a suitcase set, or suitcase cover with pictures of the UK, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, or the words New York.

I bought a cover to cover a scruffy suitcase. The cover prevented me from reaching into the outside pocket which was a nuisance. However, you might find it adds security by preventing things from falling out or to stop petty pilferage.

Gifts From Scotland

Loch Ness Monster

Scottish shortbread biscuits

Tartan hat or kilt, tee-shirt or teddy bear toys or key rings wearing tartan kilts and hats .

Whisky

Gifts From Wales

Welsh cakes

Welsh love spoons

Tee towels with words of Welsh or Welsh recipes

 

Gifts from Ireland

Aran sweaters

Items in green and with four leaf clover motifs

Personalize

Personalized with your surname in the middle, Monopoly, ordered from Selfridges.

Looking for a bargain?

Lidl, the low price German supermarket in London, England, before Xmas sells stollen bites from Germany.

Hanukah theme gifts will be reduced price after the end of hanukah, widely sold in London UK supermarkets, Jewish delis and shops, and the USA bargain stores.

After Christmas you can stock up on Christmas theme items for next year.

Soon to come, more ideas for you. 

Classic companies in the UK include department stores Hamleys, Selfridges, Harrods, Marks & Spencer, Tesco. 

Classic chocolates are Cadbury's, Thorntons, After Eight, Hotel Chocolat, Terry's.

Classic flags are the Union Jack, flags of Scotland, Wales, and Eire, the USA, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England, Football teams.

Classic US authors include Dickens, the Brontes, Jane Austen.

Classic US authors include Edgar Allen Poe.

Classic Christian gifts are from churches and cathedrals.

Classic Jewish gifts are from synagogues and Jewish gift shops and Jewish museums.

Travel Diaries

Cheap Travel Diary For Children

If you cannot travel, you can cut out or print pictures for a wishlist. Or start collecting stamps. I remember as a child seeing pagodas and Ankor Wat. When I finally reached Ankor Wat, at retirement age, it exceeded my expectations, and it was not the only building in that style but one of many. Also, by then it was not remote and eerie, but surrounded by sellers of postcards and drinks and even restaurants in huts and one storey wooden buildings. 

Finally, there's the KrisFlyer shop.

Useful Websites

Child's union Jack cap

https://www.lazada.sg/products/union-jack-uk-england-flag-united-kingdom-united-kingdom-england-london-kids-baseball-hats-childrens-cap-hip-hop-caps-childrens-cap-hat-hats-for-children-childs-summer-cap-sun-hats-cap-for-boy-

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-10274603/Christmas-gift-ideas-traveller-life-luggage-tags-heated-jackets.html

https://www.english-heritageshop.org.uk/

https://www.english-heritageshop.org.uk/collections/exclusive-collections/stonehenge-medallion-collection

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/shop/

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/board-games-monopoly-by-you-silver-tokens-personalised-board-game_R03866787/

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

https://www.britishcornershop.co.uk/

https://www.theirishstore.com/irish-gifts

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Traditional_foods_of_the_United_Kingdom

Tee shirts with Union Jacks on ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282830021956?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM

https://www.facebook.com/KrisShop/

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/united-kingdom-union-jack-england-britain-flag-vintage-distressed-finish-design-turnpike.html?product=face-mask-flat

About the Author

About the author of this blog

About the Author of this blog, Author Angela Lansbury

BIOGRAPHY

Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5 
The Author of several books, including: Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.

Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President

Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time 

Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;

Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;

Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.

More details from Toastmasters International find a club.

Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.

Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.

Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.

Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.

Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.

Language and speech workshops in Singapore.

Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.

Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.

Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.

Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.

I  also have a blog on comic poems.

 Please share links to your favourite posts. 

How To Remember Flags - a few fun flacts on flags from the UK, USA and Canada

I like to recognize flags which are flying.

The easiest ones to remember are the most distinctive.

The American flag is also called the stars and stripes.


How many stars and how many stripes? What do they represent?

The UK flag is called the Union Jack.









The design is a union or combinaton of three flags. The red cross on white you might recognize as the flag of England which is flown all over London when there are football matches involving the England team.

This flag, now I look at it, is not a correct version of the flag. The whites should be slightly off centre.
When the flag is flown upside down (originally and usually by sinking ships) it is a distress signal. Who knows or cares?

First, anybody in the navy or military knows. They need to be able to fly a distress signal when in trouble and recognize one flown by their own group or anybody else.

Boy scouts are taught this. I recall telling my small son this and was surprised he knew. He said he learned it from the Boy Scouts. They might fly the flag over the premises or at an international meeting. I presume girl guides are taught this either as part of general training or to attain one of the badges. If you are a steward or usher at an itnernational meeting and wear a flag on your clothing to indicate that you speak English you need to have it swn on the right way up.

(Having a coffee break. More later.)


The red maple leaf of Canada.


Useful websites
You will see the national flag on the page of any country in Wikipedia. Also check Wikivoyage and Wikitravel.
wikitravel.org
wikivoyage.org

Travel Information
visitbritain.com
visitbritainshop.com

Useful Information and Websites
Travel and Tourism
visitlondon.com
visitbritain.com
visitbritain.org
visitbritainshop.com
visittheusa.co.uk

Transport
virginatlantic.com (airline UK to USA and USA to UK and Europe and world)
skyscanner.net (flight date and price comparisons and offers)
citimapper.com
tfl.gov.uk (transport for London)
rome2rio.com (directions)

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

Which flag is which? First, fun recognising flags. Then, cheers for Macedonia's Red and Yellow Flag

Do you know these flags?

Problem
Can you name the countries of all the flags above? So many flags are three bands of colour, horizontal or vertical. Descending red, white and blue is France. Red, white and blue with the coat of arms in the middle is Croatia.

Italy's flag is green, white and red vertically. Italian restaurants often make a three colour starter, green salad, white cheese, red tomato.

Other flags are a white cross on a contrasting background. Some look like a plus sign.

CROSSES
Switzerland has the white cross sign on red.

(Opposite of the red cross sign.)



Iran has another sign for medical help incorporating a dragon but we are getting sidetracked. Let's go back to flags.

What's this - which country.

One plus-sign is off-centre. That's Denmark. Mark Denmark down as being different.

Depending on how you focus your eyes, you see either a white cross on a red background, or four red squares on a white background.

Here's another off centre flag. Sweden, surrounded by sea.



This one is way out. Two crosses. It's Norway. Far west. Goes beyond the bacon red of Denmark (Danish bacon) and the blue of Sweden.

Iceland is a similar design, different colours.

The reverse: red cross on a blue background. How do you remember which is which? Iceland is completely surrounded by sea, so it has the blue squares.



Here's the flag of Finland. Blue on white.


White backgrounds. The trouble with white backgrounds, is that the flag background disappears on white paper. The solution is to find a photo of a flag waving against a blue sky. I found this out with the flag of Japan.

Other white background flags are Singapore and Poland.

Singapore flags fly from apartment blocks on National Day, and hang around all year.

Russian and Bulgaria also have white horizontals. Russia's is white, blue, red.

From Wikipedia the photo by Vexillus shows the Russian flag flying.(I keep rewriting that sentence to be accurate. The photo is by Vexillus, not the flag nor the entire Wikipedia.) 

Slovakia and Slovenia also have a white stripe at the top, blue in the centre, red below, with a lozenge distinguishing them from Russia.

Other flags look like the letter X.

Let's do a hunt. Wikipedia has small flags and large flags. Here are the small ones.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states



Foreigners, tourists might have a problem. Residents know their own country's flags. Or do they?

Union Jack
The Union Jack was a flag which combined three flags. I can recognize, when I think about it, that the Union Jack has a red cross in the middle and that's the flag of England. In the 21st century, we've been seeing it a lot, now that cars can fly the flag of the English football team. In the 20th century, I would have recognized the Union Jack, but the England flag.

I still have trouble remembering which way up the Union Jack goes. I think the broad band of white is supposed to be uppermost next to the upright support.

Why does it matter? Because, if you fly the flag upside down, it's a distress signal. That matters when you are out at sea. Boy scouts on boats and people working in the navy or merchant navy know this.

Every now and then somebody gets it wrong and you read about the conflict in the newspapers. Outrage! The nitpickers are throwing insults at the 'didn't-knows' and 'don't-cares'. (I just made up those words.) The 'get-it-right!' brigade is pitted against the 'what-does-it-matter?' brigade. You look at the flag and try to learn it again.

Vertical Stripe Flags
France: Red, white and Blue.
Italy. Green, white and red.

France

Horizontal Stripes
 Russia. Germany.
Netherlands: Red, white and blue.

Russia: White, blue and red. Starting with the white Russians.
Germany: Black, red, yellow.

The German flag.

The Stars of Australia and New Zealand
Australia is a bigger place. One big star and more.

Macedonia's Flag
Finally, newest kid on the block. Macedonia.
You would not confuse this distinctive flag of Macedonia with anybody else's! It's Macedonia!

It turns out that neighbouring Greece is the main trading partner and benefactor of Macedonia. So, finally, they have reached a compromise and I think the new flag is terrific. You can see it for miles. That's what a flag is for.

I see a pattern in small and large events. Macedonia and Greece, are like a son who left home and wanted to be independent and father is worried that the son wants to take over Dad's property.

Another analogy is the companies where the son sets up a rival business such as a hotel group, and wants to continue using the family name. They go to court and eventually an agreement is reached for two separate brands, with similar names, which confuse some of the public. When you look into, you find you now have two distinctive countries, Greece and Macedonia, with a shared history, both of which are worth visiting.

You might say the flag is garish. It's very modern. I can recognize it instantly, with no effort. That's what a flag is for.  I like it.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I can give an amusing talk or workshop on flags to schools, colleges, or businesses, as an after dinner speech, entertaining and educational. See my other posts on flags. Please share links to your favourite posts.