Patron saints and the Union Flag
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint, called a patron saint. Each saint has a special day.
The Union Flag (often called the Union Jack) combines three crosses: the cross of St George (England), the cross of St Andrew (Scotland) and the cross of St Patrick (Ireland).
Wales is not represented on the Union Flag, because Wales was already united with England when the first Union Flag was created in 1606. The official Welsh flag shows a Welsh dragon.
Key facts
- St David — Wales — 1 March.
- St Patrick — Northern Ireland — 17 March.
- St George — England — 23 April.
- St Andrew — Scotland — 30 November.
- Only Scotland and Northern Ireland have their patron saint’s day as an official holiday (in Scotland not all businesses close).
- Cross of St George: red cross on a white background. Cross of St Andrew: diagonal white cross on a blue background. Cross of St Patrick: diagonal red cross on a white background.
Important dates
| 1606 | The first Union Flag was created (England and Scotland). |
| 1801 | Ireland joined; the cross of St Patrick was added, giving the flag its current design. |
Memory tips
- Saints in calendar order: David (March), Patrick (March), George (April), Andrew (November) — “Don’t Push Granny Around”.
- Andrew’s cross is the “X” on blue — think “Scotland’s saltire”.
Practice questions
1. Who is the patron saint of Scotland?
- St George
- St David
- St Andrew
- St Patrick
Show answer
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. His day is 30 November.
2. When is St David’s Day?
- 1 March
- 17 March
- 23 April
- 30 November
Show answer
St David is the patron saint of Wales. His day is 1 March.
3. When is St George’s Day?
- 1 March
- 17 March
- 23 April
- 30 November
Show answer
St George is the patron saint of England. His day is 23 April.
4. When is St Patrick’s Day?
- 1 March
- 17 March
- 23 April
- 30 November
Show answer
St Patrick is the patron saint of Northern Ireland (and Ireland). His day is 17 March.
5. What is the cross of St George?
- A diagonal white cross on blue
- A red cross on a white background
- A diagonal red cross on white
- A white cross on a red background
Show answer
The cross of St George, patron saint of England, is a red cross on a white background.
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