British ensign

Common card · No. 266575

In British maritime law and custom, an ensign is the identifying flag flown to designate a British ship, either military or civilian. Such flags display the United Kingdom Union Jack in the canton (the upper corner next to the staff), with either a red, white, or blue field, dependent on whether the vessel is civilian, naval, or in a special category. These are known as the red, white, and blue ensigns respectively. Outside the nautical sphere, ensigns are used to designate many other military units, government departments and administrative divisions. These flags are modelled on the red, white, and blue naval ensigns, but may use different colours for the field, and be defaced by the addition of a badge or symbol, for example the sky blue with concentric red, white and blue circles of the Royal Air Force ensign. The Union Flag (also known as the Union Jack) should be flown as a jack by Royal Navy ships only when moored or at anchor. If flown while underway, the ship must be dressed for...

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