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Flag of Northern Ireland
The Ulster Banner — Northern Ireland's best-known flag, though no longer official.
Northern Ireland is unusual among the countries of the United Kingdom: it has no official flag of its own. The only flag with official status is the Union Flag. The flag shown above — the Ulster Banner, sometimes called the Red Hand Flag — was the flag of the Government of Northern Ireland from 1953 until 1973, when that government was abolished. Since then it has had no official status, though it remains the region's most widely recognised flag.
About the Ulster Banner
The Ulster Banner is a banner of the former coat of arms of the Government of Northern Ireland. It shows a red St George's cross on a white field, with a white six-pointed star at the centre carrying the Red Hand of Ulster, ensigned by a crown. Today the banner is used unofficially — it is common in unionist and loyalist communities, and is the flag used to represent Northern Ireland in some international sport, such as football. Its use is not universal, however: the question of flags in Northern Ireland is closely tied to community identity, and many people identify instead with the Union Flag or the Irish Tricolour. FlagAtlas shows the Ulster Banner here as Northern Ireland's historic and best-known flag, while noting plainly that it is no longer official.
Ulster Banner colours
The banner uses three main colours. These are the approximate shades:
Northern Ireland flag facts
Frequently asked questions
Does Northern Ireland have an official flag?
No. Since 1973 it has had no official flag of its own — the Union Flag is the only official flag. The Ulster Banner was official from 1953 to 1973.
What is the Ulster Banner?
A white flag with a red St George's cross, a crowned six-pointed star at the centre, and the Red Hand of Ulster. It comes from the former coat of arms of the Northern Ireland government.
Is it still used?
Yes, but unofficially — notably in unionist communities and to represent Northern Ireland in some international sport. Its use is tied to community identity and is not universal.
What do the symbols mean?
The red cross reflects historic links with England, the six-pointed star is often said to stand for the six counties, the Red Hand is an ancient symbol of Ulster, and the crown represents the monarchy.