National Symbols of the Commonwealth (Cromwell the Great)

The main national symbols of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland are the Union Flag and the Arms of the Commonwealth.

National Flags

The national flag and official variants are:

Flag	Date	Use and status	Description
	1658 on	The Union Flag, also commonly known as the Union Jack. The National flag used by government and civilian population.	A superimposition of the flags of England and Scotland with the addition of the Irish Harp at the center. Official War Flag.
	1606 on	The Plain Union Flag.	The Flags of England and Scotland superimposed. Alternative War Flag

Arms of the Commonwealth

Arms	Date	Use and status
	1655 on	The Great Seal or Great Arms. Also called the Protectorate. Arms used by government.
	1654 on	The Smaller Arms. Used by government, parliament, judiciary and the local governments. Several variants are also used in official documents, publication and civilians.
	1655 on	Arms of the Lord Protector

Flags of Home Countries

Home Country	Date	Use and status
England	From c. 1245	De facto Flag of England (also known as the St George's Cross)
Scotland	Since at least 1513	Flag of Scotland, also known as the Saint Andrew's Cross or The Saltire
Wales	Widely adopted in the mid 17th century to represent Wales.	The flag of Saint David, a yellow cross on a black field.
Ireland	1542 on	A silver stringed gold harp on a blue field.
Isle of Man	1663 on
Channel Islands	1665 on

Ensigns and military flags

Flag	Date	Use and status
	1707 on	British Navy White Ensign. Flown on British Navy ships and shore establishments.
	1653 on	Standard British Army. Ceremonial flag and alternative war flag.
	1707 on	Commonwealth Ensign. Flown by British Merchant ships. Also used by overseas dominions and colonies.
		English Ensign Flown by English Merchant ships.
		Scottish Ensign. Flown by Scottish Merchant ships. Ensign
	1685 on	Irish Ensign or The Green Ensign (Irish: An Meirge Uaine). Used by Irish merchant vessels from the 17th century
	1686 on	New England Ensign. Used by Colonial merchant ships sailing out of New England ports. Also used has Dominion flag.
	1653 on	British Armed Forces Standard. and British Expeditionary Forces. Also Standard of the Lord Protector when acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces

Flags and arms of the Dominions and others

Flag	Date	Use and status
	14th century on	Flag of the City of London. The flag flies from various buildings in the city such as the Guildhall (the seat of power in the city) and Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. Also seen on sites outside the city that are administered by the City of London Corporation (the governing body) such as on Tower Bridge.
	1661 on	Commonwealth Ensign of the Dominions, colonies and territories. Used by the overseas dominions and colonies and territories. Can be also flown by British Merchant ships.
	1686 on	New England Ensign. Used by Colonial merchant ships sailing out of New England ports. Also used has Dominion flag.

Anthem

Rule, Britannia! is a British patriotic song that later became the official anthem of the Commonwealth.

Unofficial symbols and motifs

Britannia Somerset House — Statue of Britannia.

Britannia is also the name given to the female personification of the island and the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland. The personification of the martial Britannia is used as an emblem of British maritime power and unity, most notably in "Rule, Britannia!". Britannia became an increasingly important symbol and a strong rallying point among Britons during the European Wars of the 18th century. Its from this period that the personification of Britannia came to represent British liberties and democracy.

The first statue of Britannia was inaugurated as part of the celebrations of the 75th Year of the Commonwealth (1724).

National Cockade of the United Kingdom — The *official* British Cockade.

The British Cockade worn in military uniforms from the 18th century onward became fashionable and widely used among the civilian population on the eve of the 100th Year of the Commonwealth (1749). The cockade was later used informally as a citizens' symbol of pledge of alliance, and also has sign of British nationalism and pride.

The Floral Badges of Britannia (or the Commonwealth) consist of the heraldic plant badges of England (Tudor Rose), Scotland (Thistle) and Ireland (Shamrock). The plant badges are grown from the same stem, representing the united home countries.

The original design and idea were taken from the former royal badges. The floral badges, all three together or each one apart, are used as alternative civic or official badges or decorative motif.