The Flag of England is one of the main symbols of the English nation, which represents one of the countries that make up the UK.
The flag of England was only made official in the 16th century, however it appeared as a symbol of the English since the Middle Ages.
The origin of the design of the flag of England does not have a precision, much less when it started to be used in the country. However, the symbol was already recognized as a mark of the British merchant marine and the British army between the 17th and 18th centuries.
The design of the flag of England is a red cross on a rectangular white background. The red cross symbolizes St George, the patron saint of England.
According to legend, Saint George fought and killed a mighty dragon to protect a princess. After killing the monster, he made a cross on his shield with the dragon's blood.
The flag of England is called the "St. George's Flag" or "St. George's Cross" among the English.
United Kingdom flag
A lot of people confuse the flag of England with the flag of the United Kingdom. The flag of England represents only this country, while the flag of the United Kingdom symbolizes all member countries of the Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
The flag of the United Kingdom, also known as union jack, has a blue background with the red cross of St. George (patron of England) with white borders, superimposed on the red cross, in diagonal, of Saint Patrick (patron of Northern Ireland), this in turn is superimposed on the white cross of Saint Andrew (patron of the Scotland).
See the meaning of the others country flags and Portugal flag.
