New Prints Part 4: Union Jack

HÖRFA have unveiled their newest prints, with six fresh designs to choose from.

Learn all about the inspiration behind our stunning new designs.

Union Jack

The Union Jack is one of the most recognised flags in the world, but it has become unfairly tainted during recent years by association with far right organisations.

Instead of being a symbol of pride and patriotism, the national flag of the United Kingdom can convey a representation of racism – depending on the eye of the beholder – which is unjust and discriminatory in itself.

HÖRFA's idea behind this new print is to show pride in the national flag, its history and what it stands for, whilst renouncing it's association with any form of discrimination.

The Union Jack is so called because it combines the crosses of the three countries unified under one Sovereign – the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland (although since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the UK).

The flag consists of three heraldic crosses:

The cross of St George, patron saint of England since the 1270’s, which is a red cross on a white ground. After James I succeeded to the throne, it was combined with the cross of St Andrew in 1606.

The cross saltire of St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, is a diagonal white cross on a blue ground.

The cross saltire of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is a diagonal red cross on a white ground. This was combined with the previous Union Flag of St George and St Andrew, after the Act of Union of Ireland with England (and Wales) and Scotland on 1 January 1801, to create the Union Flag that has been flown ever since.

The Welsh dragon does not appear on the Union Flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, the Principality of Wales by that time was already united with England and was no longer a separate principality.

The Union Flag was originally a Royal flag, designed in 1801. It is today flown above Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Sandringham when The Queen is not in residence.

The term ‘Union Jack’ possibly dates from Queen Anne’s time during the 1700’s, but its exact origin is uncertain.

Actually, ‘Jack’ is a naval term. The correct name for the flag of the United Kingdom is the Union Flag, but in the navy the flag is called ‘Jack’, hence the name ‘Union Jack’.

Celebrate the national flag with pride with this special commemorative Union Jack print.