Northern Ireland
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The Ulster Banner features a red cross on a white background with a crowned six-pointed white star containing a red hand at its center. Though no longer the official flag of Northern Ireland, it remains widely used. The red hand of Ulster is an ancient Gaelic symbol shared across many Irish traditions.
The Red Hand of Ulster legend says two chieftains raced to claim the land, and the first to touch the shore would win. One chieftain cut off his own hand and threw it ahead to win the race.
Adopted: 1953
