Posted on 12/05/2013 2:49:25 PM PST by naturalman1975
After nearly 400 years of symbolising four nations united in one flag, what would the Union Flag look like without the blue and white of the Saltire?
The question is being posed by flag experts after a poll found nearly 65 per cent were in favour of changing the flag if Scotland votes Yes to independence.
The vexillologists, as they are known, have come up with designs that could replace the familiar red, white and blue flag.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I actually think the first design in the article is appropriate in that situation - while the St David's flag is a fairly recent invention, the association of gold and black with St David is much older, and the incorporation (finally) of Welsh symbolism alongside that of England and Ireland would seem to me appropriate - and a deliberate decision of a design that incorporates the patron Saints of England, Wales, and Ireland, would be an reassertion of Britain's historically Christian identity at a time when this identity is fading.
From an aesthetic point of view, I don't like the design much, but there's more important issues than the aesthetics.
I demand the socialist USA grant us in Louisiana the vote for independence
Of course I like the really girly one, with the circle and the flowers and all, but honestly if those are the choices I’d stick with what they have.
well I guess the cross of St Andrew will be removed from the Union Jack..
Leaving the red and white of St George and the other one...used to know it...
St Patrick’s - symbolising Northern Ireland.
They aren’t thinking far enough ahead....they may as well add a star and crescent now.
I’d say the Red Cross of St. George on White Field as the Kingdom did before the Union, but that would be too Christian and the Brits are not really a Christian nation anymore.
Same here for Texas.
If we want it we will have to claim it the old fashioned way though.
A vote won’t do, as the regime needs our money and resources far too badly to allow us actual self government.
Sad in a way. Hundreds of years of history, and the Empire goes down to the EU.
If Scotland becomes independent, why wouldn't Wales follow suit?
But is that appropriate?
That's the nub of the problem. The white Saltire Cross on a blue field is the symbol of the Patron Saint of Scotland, and was added to the red cross on white St George flag of England specifically to signify the Union of the two nations in 1707 (the union had occurred in 1701). In 1801, the red saltire cross of St Patrick was added to signify Ireland being incorporated into the Union.
If Scotland leaves the union, leaving the symbol of Scotland on the flag would go against its previous history.
They could go to a flag that simply removed the blue field, but any change creates an opportunity to acknowledge Wales as well - currently suggestions to do so have tended to be dismissed as making the flag look too complex.
My vote goes for the one that looks most like the Union Jack, with just the blue replaced by black.
Should we not consult Scottish law for the answer to this one?
Wales has as much right to independence as Scotland - but at the moment, shows little sign of wanting independence at the moment. It’s a voluntary union nowadays - and incorporating Welsh symbolism into the Union Flag would symbolise that it is an equal part of that voluntary union.
No, because the question would be a question for the Parliament of the United Kingdom of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scots law would not be relevant.
Courtesy might suggest some degree of consultation, but there’s no relevant legal issue.
That would work as well - again, replacing the recognition of Scotland, with symbolism drawn from Wales.
Arlen Sphincter would be rolling over in his grave.
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