How Many Countries Have the Union Jack in Their Flag: Explained

The Union Jack, the national flag of the United Kingdom, appears in several other national flags worldwide. But how many countries have the Union Jack in their flag today? Right now, four independent countries and multiple British territories still use it in their designs. These countries are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tuvalu. Many British Overseas Territories also feature the Union Jack as a reminder of their historical ties with the UK.

This article breaks down:

Which countries and territories still use the Union Jack in their flag
The right way to display the Union Jack
The history behind its use in national flags

Independent Countries That Use the Union Jack in Their Flag

The Union Jack appears in the flags of four independent nations today. These countries were all former British colonies and have maintained the Union Jack in their national symbols to reflect their historical ties with the United Kingdom. While there have been debates about removing the Union Jack from these flags, none of these nations have officially changed their designs.

1. Australia

Australia’s flag prominently features the Union Jack in the top left corner, representing the country’s colonial past and its continued connection to Britain. The rest of the flag consists of a large white seven-pointed star, known as the Commonwealth Star, and the Southern Cross constellation on a blue background.

The Commonwealth Star symbolizes the six original Australian states and the territories, while the Southern Cross represents Australia’s location in the Southern Hemisphere. Over the years, there have been discussions about changing the flag to better represent Australia’s indigenous history and identity. However, many Australians still support keeping the Union Jack in their flag as a tribute to the country’s British heritage.

2. New Zealand

New Zealand’s flag looks very similar to Australia’s, as both nations share a colonial history with Britain. Like Australia, New Zealand’s flag features the Union Jack in the top left, symbolizing its British origins. However, instead of the Commonwealth Star, New Zealand’s flag displays four red stars with white borders on the right side, representing the Southern Cross constellation.

The Southern Cross is a key navigational guide for seafarers in the Southern Hemisphere and has been an important symbol for New Zealand. In recent years, New Zealand held a referendum (2016) to decide whether to change its flag, with an alternative design featuring a silver fern proposed. However, the majority voted to keep the existing flag, ensuring the Union Jack remains a part of New Zealand’s national identity.

3. Fiji

Fiji’s flag is unique among the countries that still include the Union Jack because of its light blue background. This color represents the Pacific Ocean that surrounds the island nation. The Union Jack in the top left corner signifies Fiji’s former status as a British colony, while the emblem on the right side showcases the country’s Fijian heritage.

The shield in the flag’s emblem contains a yellow lion holding a cocoa pod, representing Fiji’s agricultural strength. Below the lion, there are images of sugarcane, a coconut palm, bananas, and a dove, symbolizing Fiji’s rich natural resources and peace. Although Fiji became independent in 1970, the country has chosen to retain the Union Jack in its flag, despite discussions about replacing it with a more indigenous design.

4. Tuvalu

Tuvalu, a small island nation in the Pacific, also features the Union Jack in its flag, symbolizing its historical ties with the British Empire. The rest of the flag is a light blue field with nine yellow stars, representing Tuvalu’s nine main islands.

Unlike Australia and New Zealand, Tuvalu has altered its flag in the past. In 1995, the government removed the Union Jack and introduced a new flag with a more localized design. However, due to public opposition and political disagreements, the original flag was reinstated in 1997. The return of the Union Jack reflected Tuvalu’s appreciation of its British heritage, even though the country was fully independent.

Why Do These Countries Still Use the Union Jack?

Each of these nations gained independence from Britain decades ago, yet they still include the Union Jack in their flag. The main reasons are:

Historical ties with the British Empire – These nations were former British colonies, and the Union Jack serves as a reminder of that shared history.
Political and cultural connections – The UK remains a key ally to these nations, providing diplomatic support and maintaining close ties through the Commonwealth.
Public sentiment – While there have been discussions about changing the flags, referendums in New Zealand and Tuvalu have shown that many people still prefer to keep the Union Jack as part of their national identity.

Despite ongoing debates, the Union Jack remains a visible symbol in these four independent countries.

British Overseas Territories That Include the Union Jack

Many British territories still feature the Union Jack in their flag as a sign of their connection to the UK. These territories are self-governing but remain under British sovereignty. Their flags typically combine the Union Jack with a local emblem, reflecting both British influence and local identity.

1. Bermuda

Bermuda’s flag consists of a red field with the Union Jack in the corner. On the right side, it features a coat of arms showing a red lion holding a shield, symbolizing its British ties. Despite being a British Overseas Territory, Bermuda has a distinct cultural identity, with influences from both the UK and North America.

2. British Virgin Islands

The flag of the British Virgin Islands is based on the Blue Ensign, with the Union Jack in the top left corner. On the right side, it displays the territory’s coat of arms, which includes a depiction of Saint Ursula and a golden oil lamp. The British Virgin Islands, known for their stunning beaches and financial services, have maintained strong links with the UK.

3. Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands flag follows the standard British territory format—a Blue Ensign with the Union Jack in the top left. The right side contains the Cayman coat of arms, featuring a turtle, a pineapple, and a shield with a blue and white wavy pattern, representing the islands’ maritime heritage. Though the Cayman Islands govern themselves, they still rely on the UK for defense and international affairs.

4. Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands flag prominently displays the Union Jack in the corner, with the territory’s coat of arms on the right. The emblem includes a sheep, symbolizing the islands’ wool industry, and a sailing ship, representing the region’s maritime history. After the Falklands War in 1982, the UK reinforced its commitment to the islands, and the Union Jack remains a strong symbol of British sovereignty.

5. Montserrat

Montserrat’s flag is another Blue Ensign featuring the Union Jack, with the territory’s coat of arms on the right side. The emblem shows a woman in a green dress holding a cross and harp, symbolizing the territory’s Irish heritage. Montserrat is the only British territory with a major Irish cultural influence, which dates back to early settlers in the 17th century.

6. Pitcairn Islands

The Pitcairn Islands flag includes the Union Jack in the top left, with a green shield featuring a yellow anchor and a Bible on the right. Pitcairn is one of the world’s most remote inhabited territories, settled by the mutineers of the HMS Bounty. The small population, fewer than 50 people, continues to maintain its British connection.

7. Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

These three islands share the Union Jack in their respective flags, along with distinct local emblems. Saint Helena’s coat of arms features a St. Helena plover bird and a ship, representing its historical importance as a stopover for sailors. Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha also incorporate maritime symbols, highlighting their deep ties to the sea. The islands are some of the most isolated places on Earth, but they still hold strong British ties.

8. Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos flag follows the same design as other British territories, with the Union Jack in the top left and the territory’s emblem on the right. The emblem contains a conch shell, a lobster, and a cactus, representing the islands’ natural resources. Turks and Caicos, famous for its luxury tourism and beautiful beaches, remains closely linked to the UK despite discussions of possible independence.

Why Is It Called the Union Jack?

The British flag wasn’t always called the Union Jack. The name comes from the combination of three older flags:

England’s St. George’s Cross (red cross on white)
Scotland’s St. Andrew’s Cross (white diagonal cross on blue)
Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Cross (red diagonal cross on white)

In 1606, these flags merged into one. The word “Jack” likely comes from its use on navy ships, where small flags were hoisted on the front of the vessel, called the bowsprit. Over time, people started using “Union Jack” to describe the entire flag, and the name stuck.

Union Jack Upside-Down

The Union Jack has a top and bottom, which means it can be displayed incorrectly.

Here’s how to tell if it’s upside-down:

The white diagonal stripe at the top-left should be thicker than the one at the bottom-right.
If the thinner white stripe is at the top, it’s wrong.

Flying the Union Jack upside-down is a signal of distress, especially at sea. It’s an easy mistake, but once you know what to look for, it’s hard to miss.

English Flag vs. British Flag

People often confuse the English flag with the British flag, but they are completely different.

The English flag is the St. George’s Cross – a simple red cross on a white background.
The British flag (Union Jack) combines England’s cross with the Scottish and Irish crosses.

England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are part of the United Kingdom, but England itself does not use the Union Jack as its national flag. That belongs to the whole UK.

Flags That Make Up the Union Jack

The Union Jack is not a single design—it’s a combination of three older flags.

The Cross of St. George (England) – A red cross on a white background.
The Cross of St. Andrew (Scotland) – A white diagonal cross on a blue background.
The Cross of St. Patrick (Ireland) – A red diagonal cross on a white background.

This design has represented the United Kingdom for over 400 years, though Wales was never included in the flag’s elements.

Conclusion

The Union Jack still appears in four national flags and several territories, showing a lasting link to British influence.

To sum up:

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tuvalu are the countries with Union Jack in flag today.
Many British Overseas Territories also feature the Union Jack in their designs.
The Union Jack must be displayed the right way up to avoid signaling distress.

Some countries, like Canada and South Africa, removed the Union Jack from their flags as they moved away from British rule. Will Australia or New Zealand do the same in the future? Only time will tell.