You’ve seen it. That unmistakable crisscross of red, white, and blue tucked away in the upper-left corner of another country's banner. It’s called a canton. Honestly, it’s a weirdly persistent ghost of an empire that technically doesn't exist anymore, yet flags with the British flag remain some of the most recognizable symbols on the planet.
Why do they stay?
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It’s not just a lack of creativity. For many nations, keeping the Union Jack—which is actually only the Union "Jack" when flown at sea, otherwise it's the Union Flag—is a complex choice involving history, law, and a fair bit of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
The Anatomy of the Union Jack
Before we get into the countries still rocking the British look, we have to talk about what that little corner square actually is. It’s a mashup. Total branding genius from the 1600s and 1800s.
Basically, you have St. George’s Cross for England. Then you layer on St. Andrew’s Cross for Scotland. Finally, they slapped St. Patrick’s Cross on there for Ireland in 1801. Wales? They got left out because, at the time, Wales was legally considered part of the Kingdom of England. Sorry, dragons.
When you see this configuration as a canton on another flag, it’s usually a "Blue Ensign" or "Red Ensign" derivative. Back in the day, the British maritime system was strict. If you were a colony, you flew the Blue Ensign with your specific seal on the right. If you were a merchant ship, you used the red version. This standardized look is why so many flags in the South Pacific look almost identical to the untrained eye.
Australia and New Zealand: The Big Two
When people think of flags with the British flag, Australia and New Zealand are the heavy hitters. They’ve both had massive, heated debates about changing them.
Australia’s flag features the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross. It’s iconic. But for many Australians, especially Indigenous communities and republicans, that Union Jack in the corner feels like a lingering "property of" stamp. Despite the noise, every time a change is proposed, it kinda fizzes out. People have an emotional attachment to the flag their ancestors fought under in World War I and II.
New Zealand actually went for it. In 2015 and 2016, they spent about 26 million NZD on a two-stage referendum. They had thousands of submissions, including the famous "Laser Kiwi" (which sadly didn't win). The finalist was a silver fern design by Kyle Lockwood.
Guess what?
The people voted to keep the old one. 56.6% said "no thanks" to the change. It turns out that even if you aren't feeling particularly "British" today, the flag represents a specific lineage that many aren't ready to delete.
The Surprising Case of Hawaii
This one trips people up. Hawaii is a US state. It was never a formal British colony. So why on earth does the Hawaiian state flag have a Union Jack in the canton?
History is messy.
King Kamehameha I was actually a big fan of King George III. In the late 1700s, British explorers like George Vancouver gave the Hawaiian king a Union Flag as a gift. For a while, Hawaii just flew it as their own. Later, during the War of 1812, things got awkward because Hawaii didn't want to look like they were taking sides between the US and Britain.
The solution? They kept the Union Jack but added stripes that look vaguely like the US flag. It’s a hybrid. It’s the only US state flag to feature the flag of a foreign country, and it’s a testament to the fact that flags with the British flag aren't always about colonial subjugation—sometimes they're about friendship and savvy diplomacy.
The "Ensign" Legacy in the Caribbean and Beyond
Fiji. Tuvalu. The Cook Islands.
These are sovereign nations. They can do whatever they want. Yet, they keep the Jack.
Fiji’s situation is particularly interesting. In 2015, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced the flag would be changed to something more "Fijian." They held contests. They had designs ready. Then, the 2016 Rio Olympics happened. Fiji won its first-ever gold medal in Rugby Sevens. The country went wild. People were draped in the old flag, crying, celebrating. The government realized the emotional capital of that specific blue banner was too high. They scrapped the redesign plan entirely.
Then you have the British Overseas Territories. Places like:
- The Falkland Islands
- Bermuda (which uses the Red Ensign, making it look very "maritime")
- The Cayman Islands
- Montserrat
- British Virgin Islands
For these territories, the Union Jack isn't just a nod to the past; it's a current legal reality. They are part of the British realm, so the flag reflects their status as territories rather than fully independent republics.
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Why Some Countries Ditch the Jack
Canada is the most famous defector. Until 1965, Canada used the Canadian Red Ensign. It was very British. But as Canada’s identity shifted away from "Britain in the North" to its own multicultural reality, the push for a new flag became unstoppable.
The Great Flag Debate of 1964 was legendary. It lasted six months. People hated the idea of losing the Union Jack; others found it offensive. Eventually, the maple leaf won. It was a clean break. South Africa did the same in 1994, moving away from a flag that actually contained three smaller flags (including the Union Jack) to the "Rainbow Nation" flag we see today.
When a country removes the Union Jack, it’s usually a signal of a major shift in national consciousness. It’s the visual version of moving out of your parents' basement.
The Aesthetic and the Legal
There's a weird quirk in flag design called "Vexillography." Experts in this field often argue that flags with the British flag are actually "bad" design because they are too busy. If you’re a sailor three miles out, it’s hard to tell the difference between the flag of Australia and Victoria (the Australian state).
But flags aren't just logos. They are symbols of continuity.
If you look at the flag of Manitoba or Ontario in Canada, they still use the Red Ensign. Why? Because provincial identity in those areas is often tied to the United Empire Loyalists—people who fled the American Revolution to stay under the British Crown. For them, that red flag is a badge of honor.
Beyond the Canton: Other British Influences
Not every flag with British influence uses the Union Jack. Some use the colors or the "Cross" motif. The flag of Newfoundland and Labrador is a stylized version of the Union Jack. It looks modern, like something out of a sci-fi movie, but the geometric shapes are actually a deconstructed British flag.
What This Means for You (The Traveler or Flag Nerd)
If you’re traveling through the Commonwealth, understanding these flags helps you decode the local politics. In a place like Northern Ireland, the Union Jack is a massive sectarian symbol. In a place like Bermuda, it’s a tourism staple.
What to keep in mind:
First off, don't call it a Union Jack unless you're on a ship. People will correct you. It’s the Union Flag. If you’re in Australia or New Zealand, don't assume everyone loves the flag. It’s a polarized issue. Younger generations often prefer symbols like the Silver Fern or the Aboriginal Flag.
Also, notice the background colors. A blue background usually means a history of naval administration. A red background is often linked to the merchant navy. These aren't just random color choices; they are historical receipts.
Practical Steps for Identifying Similar Flags
It’s easy to get confused. If you see a blue flag with a Union Jack and stars, look at the star count.
- Australia: Five stars in the Southern Cross + one big "Commonwealth" star.
- New Zealand: Only four stars in the Southern Cross, and they’re red with white borders.
- Fiji: Light blue (sky blue) with a shield featuring a lion and a cocoa pod.
- Tuvalu: Light blue with nine yellow stars representing the islands.
If you really want to get into the weeds, look at the proportions. The British flag itself has a 1:2 ratio, which is longer than the 2:3 ratio used by most other countries (like the US or France). Many flags that incorporate the Union Jack adopt that longer, sleeker British ratio.
The Future of the Union Jack in Foreign Cantons
Will we see fewer of these flags in the next decade? Probably. With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, many Commonwealth realms are reconsidering their link to the monarchy. Jamaica has already signaled a move toward becoming a republic. If a country becomes a republic, the flag usually follows suit.
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However, the "Jack" has a way of sticking around. It’s survived world wars, the collapse of an empire, and the rise of the internet. It’s a design that, for better or worse, is baked into the global visual language.
Next Steps for Flag Enthusiasts:
If you’re interested in the evolution of these designs, check out the Digital Collection of the Flag Institute. They have the original specs for colonial ensigns that haven't been seen in decades. You can also look into the "AusFlag" organization if you want to see the modern designs being proposed to replace the current Australian flag. Understanding these banners isn't just about vexillology; it's about understanding how nations decide who they are and where they came from.
Pay attention next time you see a sporting event. Count the Union Jacks in the opening ceremony. It’s a reminder that the world’s map might have changed, but the ink is still drying on the flags.