Editing United Kingdom (section)

=== Symbols ===
{{Main|Symbols of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man|l1 = Symbols of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 - Platinum Pageant (52123378222).jpg|thumb|Union Jack flags on [[The Mall, London|The Mall]], London]]
The [[flag of the United Kingdom]] is the [[Union Flag]] (also referred to as the Union Jack).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Union Jack or Union Flag? |url=https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/uk-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag |access-date=26 September 2022 |website=The Flag Institute}}</ref> It was created in 1606 by the superimposition of the [[flag of England]], representing [[Saint George]], on the [[flag of Scotland]], representing [[Saint Andrew]], and was updated in 1801 with the addition of [[Saint Patrick's Flag]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=college-of-arms.gov.uk |url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/resources/union-flag-approved-designs |access-date=14 January 2022 |publisher=The College of Arms}}</ref> Wales is not represented in the Union Flag, as Wales had been conquered and [[annexed]] to England prior to the formation of the United Kingdom. The possibility of redesigning the Union Flag to include representation of Wales was discussed in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 November 2007 |title=Welsh dragon call for Union flag |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7114248.stm |access-date=17 October 2008}}</ref> The [[national anthem]] of the United Kingdom is "[[God Save the King]]", with "King" replaced with "Queen" in the lyrics whenever the monarch is a woman.

[[Britannia]] is a [[national personification]] of the United Kingdom, originating from [[Roman Britain]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Britannia on British Coins |url=http://www.24carat.co.uk/britanniaframe.html |access-date=25 June 2006 |publisher=Chard}}</ref> Beside [[The Lion and the Unicorn]] and the [[Welsh Dragon|dragon]] of heraldry, the [[bulldog]] is an iconic animal and commonly represented with the Union Flag.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baker |first=Steve |title=Picturing the Beast |publisher=University of Illinois Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-252-07030-3 |page=52}}</ref> A rare personification is a character originating in the 18th century, [[John Bull]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=<!--Not stated--> |title=Who is John Bull |url=https://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/jan04/johnbull.html |access-date=11 January 2022 |publisher=The Library of Congress}}</ref>

[[National symbols of England|England]], [[National symbols of Wales|Wales]] and [[National symbols of Scotland|Scotland]] each have their own national symbols, including their national flags. [[National symbols of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland]] also has symbols, many of which are shared with the [[Republic of Ireland]].