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Archiver > GEN-TRIVIA-ENG > 1999-01 > 0916796845


From: Don McEwan <>
Subject: Re: Flags and flag protocol
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 01:47:25 +0000


David & Loyola Wares wrote:
>
> I raise a couple of queries regarding flags and flag etiquette.
> These arose because of what I saw while watching the cricket one day
> international match yesterday (Sunday 17th January) from the SCG.
>
> In the background, a Union Jack with the name ?MACKLESFIELD? (I think) was
> visible.
> That is the source of my first question. Who or what is a Macklesfield?
That'll be your Macclesfield - Cheshire - England.

> The next point is: Is it correct for a name to be spread across a
> country's flag?
Correct in what way - do you see it as a majestic symbol of the country
that you adore, or an identifying piece of design which you can modify to
your own purposes.? I suppose that it is NOT correct if it is used as a
"FLAG" but is no longer a "FLAG" when used as you describe.

> The next point is: Is it normal practice to display a flag when not
> hoisted on a flagpole so that when viewing the flag the hoist is on the
> left, and the fly is on the right? (I believe the part of the flag
> normally adjacent to the flagpole is called the hoist, while the edge
> directly opposite that part is called the fly).
Not necessarily, the view can be from either side, I would have thought?

> If this last point is correct, then I'm afraid that the Union jack on which
> the name 'Macklesfield' was displayed is upside down.
The left / right direction doesn't affect whether it is upside down or not!

>The wide band of
> white adjacent to the red diagonal stripe is meant to be above the red
> stripe on the hoist side of the centre, is it not?
That sounds right.

> I realise this is tricky, and half the world probably could not tell if a
> Union Jack was upside down or not, and half of the other couldn't care
> anyway, but rules is rules, ain't they?
The Union Flag is difficult because (I think) it is "Quartered" because it
is a combination of three flags.
If you look closely, you will find that the stripes in the opposite
quarters are not the same i.e. not repeated . If each cross was plonked on
top of the others they would be (repeated). Only the English red cross ( +
red on a white background) has been left alone - isn't that a surprise.!?
So you can see a division into four quarters where the white diagonal X
cross of Scotland (on a blue background) is alternated with the red
diagonal
X cross of Ireland.
St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick respectively.
So there is only one way 'up' for this flag.

> As most members are on this list because of connections with a very
> important part of the UK, I think we all should take a little interest in
> these protocols.

This is where there may be a difference between us.
The Union Flag should certainly be flown the right way up - it is
traditionally known as a sign of distress if it is deliberately flown
upside down, but who would notice?? :o)
In my opinion, today's 'Brits' find it difficult to give 'the flag' fawning
respect - it has its place, but it is not to be worshiped.
I'm afraid that I find the USAmerican morning routine in the schools of
"Loyalty Pledge TO THE FLAG" quite comical and faintly disturbing.
However,
I appreciate that it has been necessary to give all the various immigrants
a 'focus' which would have been their Royalty back home (probably). The
number of citizens in the US who solemnly raise and lower their own Stars
and Stripes is not echoed in the UK.
I know that this is more common in Canada - is it quite common in Australia
as well.?
Even in Scotland flying the flag is not all that common.
It is a source of annoyance that some English 'fans' use the British Union
Flag as THEIR flag - although some are beginning to understand that they
should use the Cross of St. George. It is the old story of assuming that
the words England and Britain are interchangeable - common mistake by
foreigners, too.

BUT - what will England do when Scotland wins independence?? :o) :o)

> Look forward to replies on this.
> David and Loyola Wares
> Perth Western Australia
> ICQ 14385856

Sorry to go on and on !! :o) :o)

--
Don McEwan
Linlithgow,
SCOTLAND

Jings, Crivvens & Help Ma Boab.!
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