What would a UK flag look like without Scotland? | Hacker News Reader

What would a UK flag look like without Scotland?

creativereview.co.uk

68 pointschestnut-tree22 comments

As he conquered countries, Napoleon replaced their 'old' flags with the new tricolore. Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy... I imagine he had a plan to reflag all of Europe. Several countries in Europe have subsequently adopted a tricolore.

I'm not sure how much research was actually done into flags here. It's well-known that tricolour flags spread as a symbol of revolution and republicanism. The UK most certainly does not fall into this category.

For those with access, this was actually quite informative on the matter of what happens to the rest of the UK if Scotland left.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04dr69k/scotland-votes...

Here's my take on the redesign of the flag after Scotland's departure:

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/images/uploads/2014/08/union...

It's the same, the part of the flag that was once representing Scotland is now just a blue background; case solved. In fact, I would wager that most folk view that "Scottish part" as nothing more than a background color anyway.

In all seriousness, the idea that the UK would have/need to redesign it's flag, w/ an independent Scotland, just seems preposterous and just plain sad.

To me it's one of the most beautifully designed flags out there -- and let's not forget the $millions in sales it has generated (think Union Jack pillows, dresses etc.) in the pop culture and fashion worlds -- since it (arguably of course) symbolizes that Sixtes "cool factor".

A number of countries that incorporate the union flag would also need to consider changing: Australia [1], New Zealand, Niue, Tuvalu, Fiji, The Cook Islands, Bermuda. Also assorted states and provinces: British Columbia, Hawaii, Manitoba, Ontario, Queensland.

[0] http://www.news.com.au/national/could-the-scottish-vote-for-...

No, because those union flags are copied by value into the flags in question. (just trying to bring it back to programming)

It's fun to have fun with flags, but the flag of the UK (they'll keep the initials) will be the Union Flag. It's an iconic design and the last thing they'll want to do is emphasise that some big change has occurred.

Also, the red saltire component of the UF represents Ireland, which became a proper country last century, resulting in no alteration to the UF ;)

This is all assuming Scotland will actually vote yes-the polls would seem to be iffy on that. And I think it makes sense that people, when faced with a momentous decision like this at the polls, will probably play it safe when they actually vote.

This is fair comment, although a new poll just came out showing the gap narrowing from 14 percentage points to 6.

Oh, "Fun with flags", great show! ;)

The Horizontal and interpretative vertical Spanish flag are wrong. The Spanish Constitution stipulates the yellow band to be twice as tall as the reds [0]. That is 25% Red, 50% yellow, 25% red.

[0]http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandera_de_Espa%C3%B1a

What a nightmare it would be to update the UK flag in language selections everywhere...

I wonder if this will once spark debate back home in Australia about changing the Aussie flag.

https://www.google.com/search?q=australian+flag+new+design

Same goes for NZ, Fiji and Tuvalu... not to mention many states, provinces and cities....

According to ISO, Wales is a Country[1], not a "Principality".

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-2:GB

Very funny post with clever insights (especially Kevin's!)

Go fUK! ;-)

For the benefit of anyone who's shocked/surprised/amazed that Scotland could be about to leave the UK...

Only one opinion poll, out of 82 conducted since the beginning of 2012 has suggested that the vote would be in favour of independence. See http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/scottish-independence-referendu...

So dinnae fret! Sco'land isnae gae'in' naewhir!

This might be pedantic, but the union jack was designed to combine the flags of Ireland, England and Scotland (back in 1606 originally it seems: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Jack). So when Ireland left the union, it didn't drop off the flag (I don't know the logic exactly, but there was a period of disagreement about the relative independence of Ireland, so that might have influenced).

Only part of Ireland left the Union. Northern Ireland remains a part of the UK.

That may be true, but it's also a pretty contentious statement as for all intents and purposes Ireland wanted to separate from Britain.

I'm Irish. I have to be contentious. It's the law (on both sides of the border).

Again, not all of it:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uybffw4llGM/T6V0rxjth5I/AAAAAAAAAY...

My understanding is that the country Ireland left the union, and a new "country" (territory? unsure) joined the UK.

Uhhhhhhhhhh...a red cross on a white field? Maybe with a little dragon somewhere - until Wales breaks away?

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