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Northern Ireland Flag: Meaning and History

Embroidered flag patch — Northern Ireland

History of the flag

In Northern Ireland, the British flag has been the only official flag since the abolition of the Northern Ireland Parliament in 1972, but the Ulster Banner is still commonly used.

Nevertheless, it remains the official banner for sporting events.

What do the elements of the flag mean?

  • The St. George's Cross symbolizes England and its shared history with the United Kingdom.

  • The red hand is an ancient Ulster symbol, representing nobility and justice, at the center of a six-pointed star representing the country's six counties. The crown represents loyalty to the British monarchy.

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