I am an amateur vexilogist, a student of flags, their design, symbolism, history, use and the rest.. I now live in Asia after travelling for a little while in many countries and I have noticed that the British Union Jack or Union Flag is often worn as a fashion statement on anything from motorbike crash helmets to T-shirts, on jeans, underpants, and shoes. It appears far more often than other flags or national symbols.
Many nations of course would be mortified at such a move but not the British, and thank God for that too.
My query is why do so many people were another country’s flag on their clothes and why the Union Jack overwhelmingly?
2007-11-25 21:39:44 · 5 answers · asked by eastglam 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Thank you Troll I am quite aware of the distinction and how it came about.
And thank you everyone who contributted but I want to know why so many foreigners wear the British national flag (Jack or flag call it what you will). Is this simply a fashion statement, and why would another national want to wear the symbol of another country on their person?
2007-11-26 12:15:45 · update #1
Unfortunately Troll is wrong on this one. It has been called the Union Jack for 400 years, before jacks came into use. The House of Lords has acknowledged the name Union Jack several times. A jack is a smaller flag, often based on the national flag of the country, and is worn by naval ships in port.
Calling it the union flag instead of allowing it the digity of using its name is a myth arising from early political correctness. With apologies to Oscar Wilde, it is also called "The flag that dare not speak its name".
2007-11-27 20:22:24 · answer #1 · answered by Ben Gunn 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know but i think Justin F....may have nailed this one as the Union Flag is not represented nowhere near as much as it was 10 years ago as we are all claiming our Independence. So we see no need for it now, just take a look at our National football games and you will only see the cross of St George for instance represented by the English fans, so maybe it's got to do with who's gonna complain? Very few care in "Britain," so they can have it. Now the national flags. I.E Scotland, England, Wales, "Northern Ireland." That's a different story. Many, would be a Little insulted, if their national flag was worn by some "johnny foreigner" as a fashion statement.
2007-11-26 13:02:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this started in the 'swinging sixties' when the RAF roundel and the union flag were used as a symbol for being cool. I don't think it's to identify the person with the country as such - especially in the last 15 years as use of the union flag has declined in favour of the national flags of England, Scotland etc.
2007-11-25 21:46:37 · answer #3 · answered by Justin F 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Americans do this with their own flag & national symbols a lot also. My theory as to why people wear such things is: 'ego'. They are trying to connect theirself with something they consider a symbol of greatness. Just like when they rush out & suddenly start wearing the jersy of & become fans of a successful sports team. After being rather indifferent about it whilst the team was average at best.
2007-11-25 21:50:24 · answer #4 · answered by insignificant_other 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly as a expert on flags you should know that the flag is called the Union Flag.
It is only called the Union Jack when flying from the Jack staff of a Royal Navy ship.
I think the stars and stripes is used more on garments.
2007-11-25 21:44:02 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋