Union Jacks

[bongo-girl]

I asked this on another thread but still don't have an answer (if there is one) so thought I'd give it a shot on the Olympics thread.

How come the Brit riders are now wearing their UJs on their right rather than the more traditional left hand side (I think there is some ancient connection with national flags and medals being worn close the heart - hence the left).

It looks funny - in the past the flag staff was closest to the collar and it looked balanced, but now withe the staff nearer the shoulder, I can't help but keep thinking it looks wrong!

Any ideas?

 

[teapot]

As I said on your on other thread, I genuinely think it's just the design of them this year. Oh and it's technically a Union flag, not a Union Jack. A quick google shows they've moved the flag to the right to allow for the Olympic rings. In previous Olympics they've either had the rings underneath the flag or not at all.

Re close to the heart. That's not the reason medals re worn on the left. They're worn on the left as traditionally sword belts hang from right shoulder to left and medals would be covered/caught up within the leather work.

 

[HashRouge]

As I said on your on other thread, I genuinely think it's just the design of them this year. Oh and it's technically a Union flag, not a Union Jack. A quick google shows they've moved the flag to the right to allow for the Olympic rings. In previous Olympics they've either had the rings underneath the flag or not at all.

Re close to the heart. That's not the reason medals re worn on the left. They're worn on the left as traditionally sword belts hang from right shoulder to left and medals would be covered/caught up within the leather work.

I think, "technically", the terms Union Jack and Union Flag are actually interchangeable. The idea that it is only called the Union Jack if flown at sea seems to be something of a myth.

 

[teapot]

I think, "technically", the terms Union Jack and Union Flag are actually interchangeable. The idea that it is only called the Union Jack if flown at sea seems to be something of a myth.

It wouldn't surprise me - blame my Navy upbringing!

 

[smja]

I think, "technically", the terms Union Jack and Union Flag are actually interchangeable. The idea that it is only called the Union Jack if flown at sea seems to be something of a myth.

Quite probably, though the term 'jack' refers to the flag flown at the bow when in harbour (an actual union flag/jack), as opposed to the ensign flown at sea from the stern (normally the union flag/jack in the top left corner of a white background for the navy).