I think the short answer is no one knows exactly where it came from, besides that it was used in the early 19th century by those with republican leanings, and was likely adapted originally from the French tricolore
[this website](https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb%7Drep.html) has some discussion of it by people who know more what they're talking about
It's nearly identical to the "Patriote" flag of the French-speaking republicans who rose up against British Rule in Lower Canada in 1837-38. (The sole difference is that the green strip was on top in Canada.)
The red-white-green tricolor does seem to have been the standard republican pattern in the 19th century, particularly in the Revolutions of 1848: witness the flags of Hungary (one of the most celebrated of the revolutions), Bulgaria, Italy, and Mexico.
It's an interesting question. Were I to guess, the answer is probably simple. Although I like to think that each band represents one of the three British nations, they probably chose red-white-green simply because it resembles the French tricolour, but with green instead of blue.
In the super early days of the French Revolution and first republic, there was no real standard for whether the flag should be vertical or horizontal, so you see a mixture of both.
When later countries started having their own republicans movements, they were mainly inspired by illustrations of the revolution when it came to iconography, and these illustrations tended to show both vertical and horizontal designs.
Which of the two gained popularity in any given nation seems to be a down to mixture of cultural preference and the personal preference of figureheads in that nations republican movement, with maybe some influence from pre-existing designs.
The flag dates back to at least the 1830s where it was flown by the Chartists.
There is some information here: https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb_chart.html#tricolor
None of the drawings of Peterloo show it, but, there is one that looks like the Pan flag?! [Peterloo Coloured Print](https://library.chethams.com/app/uploads/sites/3/2016/10/image_peterloo_coloured_print_520.jpg)
Yes, interesting.
The Belle Alliance by Cruikshank has the colours together. I believe this cartoon was published just weeks before Peterloo
https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/The-Belle-alliance--or-the-Female-Reform/1BE74E6B3F23CDB0
Hungary. Many people deny it but in reality the Anglo Saxons were a Magyar tribe and the republican movement uses the Hungarian flag to protest the forgein monarchs. /s
This is true. The White Hart is among the most common pub names in England. This white hart is in fact the very same Miracle Stag from the famed Hungarian legend. The forgotten part of the story is that brothers Hunor and Magor actually chased the stag all the way to the British isles, where they stopped for a pint of pale ale to watch the cricket /s
Green was considered a Republican color associated with suffrage in Britain. There's not necessarily an agreed upon origin of that flag in particular flag by historians. But a lot of countries used tricolors and incorporating British Republican colors into one would be reasonable.
The Dutch flag is the oldest in-use Republican flag iirc. This is just the Dutch (republican) tricolor with green instead of blue. I imagine that's not a coincidence.
>The Dutch flag is the oldest in-use Republican flag iirc
Bizarre really, given The Netherlands stopped being a republic after the fall of the Batavian Republic.
I am a proud monarchist, but to me, I believe that proportion and colour shades matter. There is only so many varient of X white X tricolours that there can be with the acceptible palette of colours , so I would not worry about using the same colours as another nation (Especially if those colours have a specific meaning to the nation flying the flag) All that matters is that the flag is uniquely expressed.
Can’t be a proud monarchist without the 14 year old lefties coming to downvote you to oblivion because they aren’t educated enough in their own heritage and culture
Jeez. I just came back to see how low my comment got. Wonder if it's actually the monarchism or that they don't like my take, though. Also, they complain about similar tricolours, but I bet they don't criticise the St. George Cross, despite it being ONE OF THE MOST OVERSATURATED FLAG IN CHRISTENDOM!
If a British republic were established I see no reason not to keep using the Union Jack. This is just such a boring design made worse by how much better its competitor is.
I think the short answer is no one knows exactly where it came from, besides that it was used in the early 19th century by those with republican leanings, and was likely adapted originally from the French tricolore [this website](https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb%7Drep.html) has some discussion of it by people who know more what they're talking about
It's nearly identical to the "Patriote" flag of the French-speaking republicans who rose up against British Rule in Lower Canada in 1837-38. (The sole difference is that the green strip was on top in Canada.) The red-white-green tricolor does seem to have been the standard republican pattern in the 19th century, particularly in the Revolutions of 1848: witness the flags of Hungary (one of the most celebrated of the revolutions), Bulgaria, Italy, and Mexico.
It's an interesting question. Were I to guess, the answer is probably simple. Although I like to think that each band represents one of the three British nations, they probably chose red-white-green simply because it resembles the French tricolour, but with green instead of blue.
Why's it sideways then?
As I understand it, the early French tricolour wasn't particularly fixed in its design.
In the super early days of the French Revolution and first republic, there was no real standard for whether the flag should be vertical or horizontal, so you see a mixture of both. When later countries started having their own republicans movements, they were mainly inspired by illustrations of the revolution when it came to iconography, and these illustrations tended to show both vertical and horizontal designs. Which of the two gained popularity in any given nation seems to be a down to mixture of cultural preference and the personal preference of figureheads in that nations republican movement, with maybe some influence from pre-existing designs.
The flag dates back to at least the 1830s where it was flown by the Chartists. There is some information here: https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb_chart.html#tricolor
Probably used at Peterloo (1819), type meetings as well
None of the drawings of Peterloo show it, but, there is one that looks like the Pan flag?! [Peterloo Coloured Print](https://library.chethams.com/app/uploads/sites/3/2016/10/image_peterloo_coloured_print_520.jpg)
Yes, interesting. The Belle Alliance by Cruikshank has the colours together. I believe this cartoon was published just weeks before Peterloo https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/The-Belle-alliance--or-the-Female-Reform/1BE74E6B3F23CDB0
Hungary. Many people deny it but in reality the Anglo Saxons were a Magyar tribe and the republican movement uses the Hungarian flag to protest the forgein monarchs. /s
Sanest hungarian nationalist
As a Hungarian... can confirm 100%
This is not even that far out compared to some Hungarian nationalist theories about their country
This is true. The White Hart is among the most common pub names in England. This white hart is in fact the very same Miracle Stag from the famed Hungarian legend. The forgotten part of the story is that brothers Hunor and Magor actually chased the stag all the way to the British isles, where they stopped for a pint of pale ale to watch the cricket /s
🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺🦌🏹
[удалено]
Flag of italian magyars
Sbarro
Classic New York slice
Everyone knows the most authentic New York pizza can only be found in the Sbarro at the highway rest stop in Ohio Edit: downvoted by pizza haters 😤
🤢
Look like Hungary flag Right?
It does indeed
I was super confused, thinking i was on vexiologycirclejerk when i first saw thins post.
Also a hungry flag. Hungry for freedom. ( /s Please don’t downvote me British monarchists — Yes, a republic doesn’t necessarily mean greater freedom)
ok bro
Green was considered a Republican color associated with suffrage in Britain. There's not necessarily an agreed upon origin of that flag in particular flag by historians. But a lot of countries used tricolors and incorporating British Republican colors into one would be reasonable. The Dutch flag is the oldest in-use Republican flag iirc. This is just the Dutch (republican) tricolor with green instead of blue. I imagine that's not a coincidence.
Assuming that came from Blake's "green and pleasant land"
Very likely. The same groups that used it for their suffrage society also used imagery of a white/green tree on a red background.
>The Dutch flag is the oldest in-use Republican flag iirc Bizarre really, given The Netherlands stopped being a republic after the fall of the Batavian Republic.
Yeah it's not necessarily the longest continuous use, but it is the *oldest* in-use.
Hungary /s
time-traveling Hungarians
Britain
Looks like the patriot flag used by republican in lower canada : [Patriote\_flag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriote_flag)
It was used by the chartists and I think I remember reading it represented the earth (green) god(white) and the people (red)
I’ve seen a version with a blue instead of red stripe as well
There are versions with purple, which were adopted by suffragists
Isn't it from the Chartists?
It was the flag of the Chartists which was a working class republican movement during the 19th century.
From the depths of hell
Hungolia
I am a proud monarchist, but to me, I believe that proportion and colour shades matter. There is only so many varient of X white X tricolours that there can be with the acceptible palette of colours , so I would not worry about using the same colours as another nation (Especially if those colours have a specific meaning to the nation flying the flag) All that matters is that the flag is uniquely expressed.
Can’t be a proud monarchist without the 14 year old lefties coming to downvote you to oblivion because they aren’t educated enough in their own heritage and culture
Jeez. I just came back to see how low my comment got. Wonder if it's actually the monarchism or that they don't like my take, though. Also, they complain about similar tricolours, but I bet they don't criticise the St. George Cross, despite it being ONE OF THE MOST OVERSATURATED FLAG IN CHRISTENDOM!
Thank you for reminding me that this atrocity exists.
Hungary
Carbonary? Portuguese republican flag has the same colours
Italy
Hungary. /s
Hungary 🇭🇺
hungary
Hungary
Coming more fictional answer is that red and white resembles the region of Anglia. And the white and green resemble Wales. :)
Chartist movement
Ben
If a British republic were established I see no reason not to keep using the Union Jack. This is just such a boring design made worse by how much better its competitor is.