The lack of Welsh representation is clearly noticeable when the flag is broken down like this.The reason for this is that at the time of the 1606 union Wales was seen as a Principality of England. But in modern UK Wales is a self governing region with equal status of the other three nations within the UK. However unlike when the Kingdom of Ireland became an equal partner in the UK no adjustments or changes to the flag have been made. The flag of Wales used by the devolved Welsh Government, Wales Office and sports teams is a red dragon on a green and white field:
This flag was adopted in this form in 1959 although its origins are very ancient. A number of proposals have been made to incorporate the dragon in the Union Flag:
In my opinion this is ugly and unimaginative. But I do feel there is a solution. If one looks at the Northern Ireland flag (Which as is mentioned in my last post was only official between 1953-73) and NI's representation you will see that they are completely different. the NI flag bearing the red hand of Ulster, where the Union Jack bears St Patrick's cross. NI is in effect represented by the flag of it's patron saint. So therefore I would include the cross of St David to represent Wales:
Some people have come up with designs featuring this:
The problem with these is that they change the flag completely, and generally speaking British people don't usually like big radical changes. My solution to this is very much in-line of putting St David's cross behind that of St George:
It is still recognisable as the Union Jack and the change is minimal but all four nations are represented. The cross of St David is clearly visible behind that of St George which has retained it white edge.
It's a puzzle! OK, Wales, because of its current status, has right to be represented in British flag. But, historically, for long time it was an English region like Cornwall still is.
ReplyDeleteBetween the showed flags, I like your solution (despite I don't know how it would look in corrected proportion) and the half-half proposal above.
But I can't negate I am a UK Flag fanboy. I can't imagine The Beatles, The Stones, The Who all been associated with a different flag. It would be "de facto" changed someday, but this flag is eternal.
That is a fair point and one I did not consider to be honest. I forgot the Union Flag was often used in fashion and in music. The idea behind my design was to change the flag as little as possible but at the same time represent Wales. You do make a good point that the flag is eternal. I'm not Welsh so I am OK with the flag in its current form, but if they were to change it that is how I think they should do it.
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