The Union Jack
The Union Jack flag is constructed from the Saltire of St Andrew for Scotland and St Patrick for Ireland—a saltire is the heraldic name for the diagonal cross-look—together with the cross of St George for the Kingdom of England. As Wales was a principality, not a kingdom, at the time the flag was created, it is not represented in the design.
Before Ireland’s emblem was added, there was actually an earlier flag back in 1606— the first Union Flag — with just Scotland and England present.
The Flag Institute explains why it's called a "jack"
Someone who studies flags is called a vexillologist, as I'm sure you know.
Also see:
- Curious about the difference between Great Britain, the United Kingdom and the British Isles?
- The Olympic Flag
I amended this from the original
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