The St George’s Cross, a red cross on a white background, is recognised worldwide as the flag of England.
King Richard I, the Lionheart (1157–99) reputedly adopted St George’s Cross as his flag in the late 12th century, during the crusades.
English soldiers also used red crosses throughout succeeding centuries, among many other religious flags and banners.
St George’s cross first flew as a maritime flag in 1545, then in 1552 the Book of Common Prayer abolished all religious flags and banners except for the cross of St George.
But England is not the only country that flies the flag of the warrior saint.
Georgia has used its ‘Five Cross Flag’ design since January 2004.
This is a St George’s cross, with four small red Bolnisi crosses (the national symbol) in each white segment.
The United National Movement had used this flag during the Rose Revolution in November 2003.
From 1918–21 and 1991–2004, the national flag was wine red, representing the good times.
In the canton was a section of black (for Soviet rule) and white (hopes for peace).
The flag of Sardinia flag (below) is similar to that of Georgia.
Instead of a cross, however, each quarter contains a Moor’s head in black facing away from the mast.
Before 1999 the heads faced the mast and wore a blindfold.
On the Italian mainland, Genoa has used the cross as its flag since 1218.
Richard I reputedly adopted St George’s Cross from Genoa, and its use in North Italymay date back at least to 1113.
The flag of Milan uses the same design, attributed to St Ambrose, patron saint of the city and its bishop (374–97 CE).
Other Northern Italian cities that use St George’s Cross as their flag or coat of arms include: Bologna, Padua, Reggio Emilia, Mantua, Vercelli and Alessandria.
In Spain, the flag of Aragon uses the St George’s cross.
So too do the Aragonese provinces of Huesca, Zaragoza and Teruel (each with its coat of arms in the centre).
The St George’s cross also appears in the Barcelona flag, filling its upper hoist and lower fly quarters.
Vertical Catalan stripes of red and gold occupy the remaining quarters.
Bonus fact: The badges of football clubs Genoa 1893, AC Milan and Barcelona all incorporate the cross of St George.
Author: Alex Crouch, Flag Institute accredited journalist 2015/16.
How sweet
are you?
Is it not also the flag of The City Of London (except with a sword/cutlass in one corner)?
No
The flag and arms of the City of London are as follows:
Argent a cross gules in top dexter a Pauline Sword also gules; for the layman, this is described thus:
on a silver [which transcribed vexillolgically becomes white] shield a Cross of St. George, with a Sword of the Apostle, St. Paul, also red, in the top hoist [ the top quarter nearest the staff/pole].
It would be handy for an historian to provide a potted history on this one.
This is only for the City of London- see link here https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/flags/cityoflondon/
Why no mention of the flag of Northern Ireland – the red cross of St George with the red hand of Ulster in the middle?
Why have I seen the flag in Sicily this week…in Catania and Syracuse?
May, 2019
Why are there crosses in every flag?