How to Know if a Union Jack Has Been Hung Upside Down

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 10, 2022 References Approved

The Union Jack, also known as the Union Flag, is the official flag for the United Kingdom.^{[1]
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Research source} Unfortunately, the flag is not symmetric, which leads many people to accidentally hang it so the design appears upside down. This is often considered a sign of disrespect for those that live in the UK.^{[2]
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Research source} Luckily, if you pay close attention to the size of the stripes, you can hang your Union Jack the right way every time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Examining the Stripes

1
Look at the white diagonal stripes on the side closest to the flagpole. The white stripes on the Union Jack are not all the same size. The wider white stripes on the side closest to the flagpole should sit on top of the diagonal red stripes.
- The white stripes represent Scotland’s Saint Andrew’s Cross while the red ones represent Ireland’s Saint Patrick’s Cross.^{[3]
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- A good mnemonic device to use is "wide white top."^{[4]
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2
Look at the white diagonal stripes on the side furthest from the flagpole. On the side furthest from the flagpole, the white stripes that run diagonally should be thinner on the top of the red stripe, and thicker below the red stripe. This applies to both white stripes on the side furthest from the flagpole.
- Saint Andrew's Cross was on the flag first and takes precedence over Saint Patrick's cross.
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3
Ensure the thick white line is on the top left, if hung vertically. When hanging your flag vertically, the thick white stripe should be on the top of all the other stripes on the top left hand side of your flag. The top edge of the flag should become the left edge of the flag when hanging it vertically.^{[5]
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- This practice is similar to hanging the American flag, but varies in other countries like Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Slovenia, where they have different designs for flags hung vertically.^{[6]
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4
Fly the flag upside down for a distress signal. Flying the Union Jack upside down is a coded distress signal, and should only be used as such. In the UK, flying the flag upside down may be considered an insult, even if it was an honest mistake. ^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Hanging the Flag In Other Circumstances

1
Assume the pole is on the left if it’s a graphic flag. When drawing the flag or putting up a graphic of the flag with no pole, assume the pole is on the left side of the flag. This means that the thick white stripes should lay over the red stripes on the left side of the flag.
2
Drape the top left of the flag over the top left of the shoulder, when draping it on a coffin. When draping the flag over a coffin for a funeral service, make sure that the top left of the Union Jack be laid over the top left corner of the coffin. This is the traditional way to drape the flag for military funerals.
- Before cremating or burying the body, the flag should be removed and folded.^{[8]
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- It is improper to use the flag as drapage for seat covers or tablecloths, or as a cover for boxes, barriers, or art during an unveiling ceremony.^{[9]
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3
Wear the flag backwards when it's on the right shoulder of a uniform. If your patch of the flag is on the left shoulder, you should wear the flag as it would normally look. However, on the right shoulder, the flag should be flipped backwards.
- This is similar to American Military Uniforms which require the flag to be reverse.

Community Q&A

Question

Isn't the "Union Jack" more correctly called the "Union Flag"?

Community Answer

Technically, yes, it is more correct to call it the Union Flag, because a "jack" is a small flag that is hung over a mast on a boat, so the only true "Union Jacks" are the "Union Jacks" which have been put on a mast.
Question

When should the Union flag be flown on a church tower?

HumanBeing

Top Answerer

The extremely comprehensive flaginstitute.org gives no mention of churches on its web page covering British flags. With the consent of the church tower authorities, the hanging of a Union flag is a matter of choice, provided the flag is flown following all appropriate protocols, such as raising at sunrise and lowering at sunset, or illuminating at night. A good day to fly a Union flag is the second Saturday of June, the Queen's Official Birthday.