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National Emblems of the United Kingdon
The United Kingdom(abbreviated from "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and NorthernIreland") is the political name of the country which consists ofEngland, Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland (sometimes known as Ulster).
Great Britainis the name of the island which is made up of England, Scotland,Wales, whereas the British Isles is the geographical name of all theislandsthe north-west coast of the European continent.
In everyday speech"Britain"is used to mean the UnitedKingdom.
The flag of the UnitedKingdom, known as the Union Yack, is made upof three crosses. The upright red cross on a white background is thecross ofthe 1st George, the patron saint of England. The white diagonal crosson a blue background is the cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint ofScotland. Thered diagonal cross on a white background is. the cross of St. Patrick,thepatron saint of Ireland.
The Welsh flag, called the Welsh dragon, represents a red dragon on awhite and green background.
St. George's Day falls on 23 April and is regarded as England's nationalday. On this day some patriotic Englishmen wear a rose pinned to their jackets.A red rose is the national emblem of England from the time of the Wars of theRoses (15th century).
St. Andrew's Day (the 30th of November) is regarded as Scotland'snational day. On this day some Scotsmen wear a thistle in their buttonhole. Asa national emblem of Scotland, thistle apparently first used in the 15thcenturyas a symbol ofdefence. The Order of the Thistle is one of the highest orders of knighthood.It was founded in 1687, and is mainly given to Scottish noblemen (limited to 16in number).
St. Patrick's Day (the 17th of March) is considered as a national day inNorthern Ireland and an official bank holiday there. The national emblem ofIreland is shamrock. According to legend, it was the plant chosen by St.Patrick to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish.
St. David's Day (the 1st March) is the church festival of St.David, a 6th-century monk and bishop, the patron saint of Wales. Theday isregarded as the national holiday of Wales, although it is not anofficial holiday.
On this day, however, many Welshmen wear eithera yellow daffodil or a leek pinned to their jackets, as bothplants are traditionally regarded as national emblems of Wales. In theRoyal Arms three lions symbolize England, a lion rampant -Scotland, and a harp - Ireland. The whole is encircled and is supportedby alion and a unicorn. The lion has been used as a symbol of nationalstrength andof the British monarchy for many centuries. The unicorn, a mythicalanimal thatlooks like a horse with a long straight horn, has appeared on theScottish andBritish royal coats of arms for many centuries, and is a symbol ofpurity.
1. What does the word "Britain" mean in everyday speech?
2. What is the flag of the United Kingdom made up of?
3. How is the Welsh flag called?
4. What do some Englishmen wear on St. George's Day?
5. What day is regarded as Scotland's national day?
6. What day is a national day in Northern Ireland?
7. What do three lions in the Royal Arms symbolize?
8. What does theunicorn symbolize?