Union Jack: past, present and uncertain future

The Union Jack is a composite of the flags of England and Scotland, plus Ireland’s cross of St Patrick, adopted prior to Irish Home Rule

St Andrew’s Cross, or Saltire 1500s (Scotland)

St Patrick’s Cross 1700s (Ireland)

2 Jan 1, 1801: Act of Union merges Kingdom of Ireland and Kingdom of Great Britain to form United Kingdom

3 Sep 18, 2014: If Scotland votes to leave United Kingdom, its St Andrew’s Cross could be removed from Union Jack arrangement. Other nations that incorporate Union Jack include Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tuvalu and Cook Islands

1 Apr 12, 1606: Regal union between Scotland and England leads to joining of St Andrew’s Cross and St George’s Cross, forming flag of Great Britain

St George’s Cross 1200s (England)

Great Union Flag, or King’s Colours 1606 (Great Britain)

Union Jack, or Union Flag 1801 (United Kingdom) Still used today

Literal take: How Union Jack would look without Scottish element. Another design would likely be added

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Source: flaginstitute.org