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British Symbols

The United Kingdom


of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland

Northern
Ireland

Scotland
England

Wales

Each country in Britain


has its own patron
saint and floral
emblem

Heraldic floral badges of the United Ki

England

The Tudor rose is the


national floral
emblem of England.
It symbolizes the end
of the Wars of the
Roses.

Scotland

The national
flower of
Scotland is the
Thistle is a prickly-leaved
thistle
purple flower which was first

used in the 15th century as a


symbol of defence. The
thistle has been a Scottish
symbol for more than 500
years. It was found on
ancient coins and coats of
arms.

Wales

The national
flower of Wales is
the daffodil, which
is traditionally worn
on St. Davids Day.

The national flower of


Northern Ireland is the
shamrock, a three-leaved
plant similar to clover. It is
a symbol of trinity

Northern
Ireland

Flags of the UK

the Union Jack

The United Kingdom flag was


officially adopted on January 1,
1801.

The flag of the UK is a combination


of the flags of England (the cross of
St. George), Scotland (the cross of
St. Andrew), and Ireland (the cross
of St. Patrick).

the Union Jack

the Union
Jack

The flag of
Scotland - St
Andrews Cross

Dating to the 12th century, the historic cross of


St. Andrew was first hoisted in 1512. Also known
as the Saltire, it is one of the oldest country
flags. The Saltire is a flag with a diagonal cross
whose arms extend to the corners of the flag

The flag of
England - St
Georges Cross
The flag of
Ireland - St
Patrick Cross

The Welsh flag

This flag was officially adopted in 1959, but the red


dragon (possibly Roman in origin) has been
associated with Wales for many centuries. The
green and white background stripes represent the
House of Tudor, a Welsh dynasty that once held the
English throne.

Flag of Ulster

Flag of Northern Ireland

Royal Banner of the King or Queen of


the United KingdomToday.

The Royal Banner of


England

Scottish Royal
banner

The Royal Flag of Scotland, or


Rampart Lion, features a traditional
red lion on a gold field. It is widely
used as a second national flag.

The Royal Standard of Scotland


The Royal Standard of Scotland, a banner
showing the Royal Arms of Scotland, is
also frequently to be seen, particularly at
sporting events involving a Scottish team.
Often called the Lion Rampant (after its
chief heraldic device), it is technically the
property of the monarch and its use by
anybody else is illegal, although this is
almost universally ignored, and never
enforced.

The Royal Arms of Scotland


The Royal Arms of Scotland is a coat of
arms symbolising Scotland and the
Scottish monarchs.

Tartan
is a specific woven
textile pattern that often
signifies a particular
Scottish clan, as
featured in a kilt.

The gold
harp

David's Harp was the National


Banner of Ireland for Many
Centuries

UK Royal Coat-of-Arms

In The Royal
Seal

we see the Lions, and the Unicorn. The Harp


of David, and the standing Red Lion.
Lions with royal crowns.
The words: "DIEU ET MON DROIT" which are
Latin and mean: "God And My Right"

Unofficial Coat of
Arms

The "Three Lions" is the unofficial


crest of England and was first used by
Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) in
the late 12th century.

St Andrew
Saint Andrew is the
patron saint of Scotland.
St Andrew's Day, the 30
November, is the
national day with the St.
Andrew's Day Bank
Holiday (Scotland) Act
2007, designating the
day to be an official
bank holiday.

Saint George
Saint George is the
patron saint of England.

Saint Patrick
is the patron saint of
Ireland along with Saints
Brigid and Columba.

Saint David
is the patron saint of
Wales.

The unicorn
is used as a heraldic
symbol of Scotland.

National Animal of England The


Lion
Because the lion is
symbolic of bravery, it
was frequently used to
depict the courageous
warriors of medieval
England. Today, it
remains the national
animal of the country
and is used extensively
in sports team names,
logos, icons, and so on.
One of the great bronze lions at the
base of
Nelson's Column in London's

The Red Dragon


part of the national flag
design, is also a popular
Welsh symbol.

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