The Union Jack

The Union Flag or Union Jack is the national flag of

the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland and was also used throughout the former
British Empire. It retains an official or semi-official
status in many Commonwealth Realms.
It is commonly referred to as the Union Jack or
more properly Union Flag as it only becomes a Jack when flown from a ship's jack mast. In
Canada the flag is officially called the Royal Union Flag.
Note that the jack flown by ships of the United States Navy is also referred to as the Union
Jack.