British Symbols

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland

Each country in Britain has its own patron saint and floral emblem

Heraldic floral badges of the United Kingdom.

England The Tudor rose is the national floral emblem of England. It symbolizes the end of the Wars of the Roses.

Thistle is a prickly-leaved 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. Scotland The national flower of Scotland is the thistle

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

The national flower of Northern Ireland is the shamrock, a three-leaved plant similar to clover. It is a symbol of trinityNorthern Ireland

Flags of the UK

The United Kingdom flag was officially adopted on January 1, 1801. the Union Jack

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

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 flagThe flag of Scotland - St Andrews Cross

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 UlsterFlag of Northern Ireland

Royal Banner of the King or Queen of the United KingdomToday.

The Royal Banner of England

Scottish Royal bannerThe 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 ScotlandThe 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 ScotlandThe 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 Sealwe 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 AndrewSaint 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 GeorgeSaint George is the patron saint of England.

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

Saint Davidis the patron saint of Wales.

The unicorn is used as a heraldic symbol of Scotland.

National Animal of England The LionBecause 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 Trafalgar Square

The Red Dragonpart of the national flag design, is also a popular Welsh symbol.