April 23rd

A hand made flag of white with red rose petals to make the Cross of St George.

In England, we do not celebrate our nationality in the same way as our celtic neighbours, which saddens me. I have always envied the Welsh, Irish and Scots their collective pride in their national identity.

For many years from the 70s until the present day, the Cross of St. George has been associated with football hooligans and the ultra right wing, but not so anymore. We have taken back our flag from the thugs and fascists.

Despite my name, I am English, and very proud of my nationality. I am English, British and European, and equally proud of all three parts of my identity.

Happy St. George's Day.

Here is a link to a fascinating history of St. George.

http://www.britannia.com/history/stgeorge.html

I realise that this is not going to be the most popular photo that I ever post, but it means just as much to me as yesterday's Tulips, because it is a celebration of my nationality.

[Susie]

Happy St Georges Day to you Sean...like you I am English, British and European and proud of it, just wish it was as important to the English as a whole as St Andrews day is here in Scotland! :D

[Sean O'Neill]

@susieb Thansk Susie. me too. I think it will take my children's generation to make it as important a day for the English.

[Achilleos]

Well said Sean, and the same here, despite my name" Stavros Achilleos" I was born in England and very proud to call myself English.. It's a shame more is not made of our day!.. A very,very sore point in my view..

[Sean O'Neill]

@achilleos Thanks Achilleos. With you 100%.

[Audrey]

Happy St.George's Day Sean! Lovely pic :)

[Ann Stenson]

Wonderful idea & creativity Sean!......Happy St Georges Day! : )

[Sean O'Neill]

@aud_c @annbo Thank you both.

[Corinna]

Happy St. George's Day Sean! this is quite a creative idea... I find that the red is lovely....

[Sean O'Neill]

@whitelily Thanks Corinna. Much appreciated.

[Helen]

Well said Sean! I love the rose petals - is it one of your creations?

[Sean O'Neill]

@elsbels It is that Helen. The second time I have used them.
http://365project.org/seanoneill/365/2012-02-14

[Sean O'Neill]

@elsbels ...and many thanks for the "Well said" comment.

[Helen]

@seanoneill oh yes I remember - they're serving you well! I love the colour.

[Ruth Moucharafieh]

Love it!

[Simply Amanda]

I like your pride and shot. Wonderful tribute. Thanks for the history lesson, too!

[Robyn]

Great to be proud of your nationality and heritage! Lovely tribute!

[Robyn]

Just saw a new discussion thread for St. George day photos - must add yours!

[Rosie White-Hlouveraki]

Well done Sean, I live half the year in Greece and the people there are so patriotic, whether it's for better or worse. It is so sad I have to agree with you that the younger generations in England do not show a passion for this. I believe this is due to the education in our country's history which is to blame for this and the political correctness rules due to our multicultural/multi-religious nation we now have.(no offence to anyone)

[Sean O'Neill]

@rockinrobyn @rockinrobyn Thank you twice Robyn. I have posted on the thread.

[Sean O'Neill]

@ruthmouch Thanks Ruth.

[Sean O'Neill]

@amandalomonaco Thanks Amanda, it is very important to me. It is one of the few things that can never be taken away from me.

[Sean O'Neill]

@rwhite Thanks Rosie, I think you are right. I am very proud of our multicultural nation, but I do wish that I was able to celebrate my Englishness like other nations celebrate their identity.

[Lisa]

Fab creativity! great shot and perfect for today!

[Sasha Berry]

Well done and well said Sean. I had the same thought today.

"There is a forgotten, nay almost forbidden word, which means more to me than any other. That word is ENGLAND. " Sir Winston Churchill

[Sean O'Neill]

@lizzy_lu123 Thanks Lisa, much appreciated!

[Sean O'Neill]

@sashaberry Thansk Sasha, i am glad I am not alone. Gry God, for Harry, England and St. George.

[Reva]

A lovely tribute! Cheers to England and all things English. :)

[Zuzana]

Great photo Sean. Nice color and texture...and happy St. George's Day :-)

[Sean O'Neill]

@zuzana @reva Thank you both.

[Livia]

This looks beautiful, and is certainly a very striking image. Wonderful work. 8)

[ladyjane]

Nice shot and great job on the flag!

[Andreas]

Awesome, the rose petals stands almost three dimensional out of the picture.

[David H.]

Fab shot and perfect for the day, a nice idea well realised!

[Matthew Ballew]

very very cool. looks like a present too. love flat on shots

[Disha Parekh]

Excellent tribute shot. Love the colour.

[Caryn]

I love this and enjoyed your words.

[Jez]

Cool shot B)

[Jen Hudson]

What a great idea, well done for posting for our nation.

[Sean O'Neill]

@myautofocuslife @ladyjane @primitiveprobe @hasselhotch @bubbaloooo @dishaparekh176 @cmc1200 @silverdollar @jennywren Thank you all for your feedback. I am very proud to be English and I am glad that you approve of my shot and comments.

[Shez]

Wonderful idea! I love the bright red. Fav

[Sean O'Neill]

@shezzyj Cheers Shez, too kind!!

[Sean O'Neill]

PS, used them on valentines day too!!! @shezzyj